Renaissance Bronze Glove Ring with an Inkwell

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; the upper terminal with black enamel and bearing a gilt inscription 'INRI', an abbreviation of 'Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum' for 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'; the reverse 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.

Modelled standing and holding a bulbous spouted container in his extended hands, stylised head with projecting ears and open mouth; repaired. 1.92 kg, 30 cm



Private collection of Dr Alvin M. Soffe (c.1922-1995) and Elizabeth Ann Soffe, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, acquired circa 1960s-1970s, thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of a letter no.S00256668 from the Art Loss Register confirming that this item was not found on their database.

Carved from mottled stone wedjat with raised eyebrow, sclera, teardrop and markings, ribbed suspension loop above. 15 grams, 48 mm



Old French collection. UK private collection, acquired from the above in the 2000s.