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LOT 1743
Reliquary Bronze Cross Pendant with Dark Age Inscription to Reverse
CIRCA 8TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
2 7/8 in. (31.77 grams, 72 mm).
Of Byzantine type, obverse with low-relief Corpus Christi; reverse with enigmatic legend '[?] NIXIXIN'. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx R Ungar, Parthenon Gallery, London, UK, 2006.
From an important North London, UK, private collection
The reverse may bear a blundered attempt at the 'INRI' legend which appears in Byzantine and Late Roman art, for Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum 'Jesus King of the Jews'.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1743
Reliquary Bronze Cross Pendant with Dark Age Inscription to Reverse
Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
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Reliquary Bronze Cross Pendant with Dark Age Inscription to Reverse
Circa 8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Of Byzantine type, obverse with low-relief Corpus Christi; reverse with enigmatic legend '[?] NIXIXIN'. 31.77 grams, 72 mm
Ex R Ungar, Parthenon Gallery, London, UK, 2006. From an important North London, UK, private collection
The reverse may bear a blundered attempt at the 'INRI' legend which appears in Byzantine and Late Roman art, for Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum 'Jesus King of the Jews'. -
Merovingian Bronze Ring with Female Figure
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
D-section hoop and a raised lentoid bezel with an incuse image of a facing woman dressed in a long skirt. 4.98 grams, 25.85 mm overall, 19.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
The ring belongs to the Type 4a of Hadjadj classification, i.e. rings with a sinuous and continuous profile. The image on the bezel is reminiscent of motifs linked to the Romano-Celtic mythology, and that of the mother goddess. -
Merovingian Bronze Ring with Facing Figure
6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Comprising a round-section hoop with keeled shoulders, with pointillé decoration; a lentoid bezel with pointillé border and central facing figure. 6.34 grams, 25.80 mm overall, 20.46 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
The image is reminiscent of Celtic (Gaulish) divine iconography, and these kinds of rings were in fact found in Gallo-Roman graves, belonging to the Gallo-Roman population under Carolingian rule.
