Post Medieval Silver-Mounted Glass Pendant

Discoid with ribbed border and central raised pellet, motif of a winged centaur holding a square shield and a staff(?), foliage motif to the background; pierced three times to the rim. 153 grams, 10.1 cm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

This version of a centaur was known as ‘kitovras’, an old Russian version of the word ‘kentauros’. He is typically portrayed with the body of a horse and the torso and head of a man, often featuring prominent wings and wearing armour. Kitovras is best known from a legend, ‘The Tale of Solomon and Kitovras’, in which he is tricked into building the temple for King Solomon. While held in captivity, Kitovras tells Solomon how to obtain the stone needed to build the temple and stays with him through its completion. When Solomon doubts Kitovras’ strength, Kitovras throws him to the edge of the Promised Land, but the king eventually returns and takes back the throne.

Cruciform pendant with integral loop, obverse with impressed cartouche and hieroglyphs, reverse with hatching. 5.6 grams, 43 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Including a toy lamb, spindle whorls, a model guitar and other items. 430 grams total, 14-71 mm



Found Tyne and Wear, UK. This lot is for UK buyers only, not for export.