Post Medieval Silver Ring with Motifs

Comprising a cylindrical body and bell-shaped mouth with egg-and-dart detailing to the rim; segmented lower body with round-section strap handle; lotus-flower foot. 2.92 kg, 27.2 cm



Swiss private collection. Ex Herman Feldermann, Frankfurt, Germany, prior to 1985. Private collection, UK.

A cameo scene comprising a standing female figure with hair tied in a chignon, approaching a perching eagle with wings spread and clutching a sphere in one claw; the woman drawing the bird's beak close to her forehead; the eagle with claws extended leaning on a branch; exergue below. 118 grams, 87 mm



Private collection, England. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13172-249567.

The eagle is probably a metamorphosed personification of Jupiter, and the globe is a symbol of domain and military power. The scene is an interesting allegorical composition with possible references to the metamorphosis and Jupiter's love affairs, considering the presence of the naked female figure. The peculiar superimposition of the limbs is inspired by ancient models. The scene is engraved on the white layer of the glass paste, characterised by a dark violet second layer (seen with a powerful light from the back). On the back, traces of the glass dough melting. The evident presence of clear engraving marks and the cut glass bubbles confirms the fact that this work is an intaglio (not a cast). A work with a personality, showing undercuts.

Depicting the martyrs freezing to death in a lake in Cappadocia, clad only in their undergarments (esophoria); Jesus above, dressed in gold and red, offering the crowns of martyrdom as a sign of reward; a tower to the side of the martyrs; Greek inscriptions: inside the gold nimbus 'O ѾN' (= The Only One who always exists), the inscription above the martyrs reading: 'Οι Άγιοι Τεσσαράκοντα Μάρτυρες = The Saint Holy 40 Martyrs'. 810 grams, 30 x 22.5 cm



Acquired on the European art market. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13063-249294.

The icon depicts the martyrdom of the 40 soldiers of the Legio XII Fulminata, who died in a frozen lake in Cappadocia in 320 AD. The drama experienced by these courageous men, nourished by their faith in Christ, is evocatively expressed. Their frozen bodies are painted in ochre and olive green, reflecting the stages of their agony. Christ is offering them crowns of glory from heaven as a sign of reward. The cult of the 40 Martyrs spread rapidly, first in Constantinople, where several churches were dedicated to them, then in the Balkans and Russia.