Renaissance Agate Cameo with Lioness in Gold Ring

Inscribed to the inner face in an italic hand 'Love and [l]ive happily'. 2.17 grams, 19.85 mm overall, 17.49 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

The body decorated by annulets on the sides and top, the maker's initials 'MC' above an empty heart-shaped cartouche flanked by supporters in the form of birds regardant; on the interior immediately above the base, two very indistinct stamps, the lower one possibly a lion. 3.14 grams, 16 mm



Found in North Walsham, Norfolk, UK, on Saturday 13th August 2011, declared as Treasure under the Treasure Act with reference no.2011 T596, and disclaimed by the Crown and returned to the finder. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.NMS-190428. Accompanied by a copy of the Treasure Report for HM Coroner with reference no.2011 T596. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum explaining that the Crown's interest in the thimble has been disclaimed.

A finely executed devotional pendant in the form of a Latin cross, worked in high-carat gold and elaborately decorated on both sides; the obverse set with twelve table-cut almandine garnets, each enclosed within raised rub-over collets and inset with finely painted polychrome enamel scene depicting symbols of the Arma Christi—the Instruments of the Passion— including the scourge, hammer and pincers, the column of flagellation, rooster, dice, crown of thorns, and other emblematic motifs associated with the Crucifixion narrative; the upper terminal enamelled in black and bearing a gilt inscription 'INRI', an abbreviation of Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum, 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews', traditionally placed above Christ on the Cross; the reverse ornamented with guilloché enamel in translucent green and opaque white, forming a cross with stylised foliate terminals; the pendant retaining its original integral suspension loop; some restoration on the enamel. 4.06 grams, 43 mm



Acquired on the European art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13403-257997.

This pendant typifies early 17th-century German devotional jewellery, in which vivid enamelwork and miniature Passion iconography converge in portable, contemplative forms of piety.