Post Medieval Silver Thaler Pendant Necklace

A gilt-silver dress pin composed of a round-section body and roughly spherical head, decorated with granules and filigree trefoils and roundels above and below a medial band. 2.8 grams, 62 mm



Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.

A gold posy ring with rectangular-section hoop in the form of a buckled belt with looped end tie and chape with double-bowed and pinned buckle, the outer face inscribed '+HOPE * IS * MI HOLDE' in Roman capitals, continuing 'TILL * HAP * SHALL * HELPE' around the interior; accompanied by a vintage ring box. 2.76 grams, 19.17 mm overall, 16.63 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6 1/4, Europe 12.34, Japan 12)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Hursley, Hampshire, UK, on Sunday 26th August 2012. Acquired from Berganza, Hatton Garden, London, 2017. Property of an East Sussex collector. Disclaimed under the Treasure Act with reference no.2012 T805. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.HAMP-62C152. Accompanied by a copy of the Berganza invoice. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11667-197581.

The inscription is somewhat enigmatic and does not seem to have been previously recorded for a posy ring; the form of the buckle and the knopped chape are typical of examples seen, often in base metal, from the late medieval period to the 16th century A.D. The name of this genre of ring is derived from the 'poesy' or motto usually engraved around the hoop. In medieval examples the posy is mostly engraved around the outside of the hoop but later examples find it on the inner surface. Rings with amatory inscriptions have their origins in the 14th century A.D., when they served as love gifts, betrothal and wedding rings, as attested by surviving documentary evidence. Posy rings were also given to friends or used to mark significant occasions.

A marble torso from a once larger statue of the goddess Venus, modelled naturalistically, inspired by Praxiteles's nude Aphrodite from the Greek city-state of Knidos. 51.1 kg total, 64 cm high including stand



French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France.

The original statue of nude Aphrodite (Venus) was created for the Temple of Aphrodite at Knidos as a devotion monument. It represented the nude Goddess as she proceeded for the ceremonial bath that regenerated her pureness, discreetly concealing herself with her hand and holding a cloth with her other hand. The monument is famous for its beauty, and it is intended to be seen from every aspect.