Ring with Blue Bead

Barrel-shaped with two impressed flat faces, one with a later engraving of a guilloche border and looped tendrils framing reserved initials 'PO P[R]' above and lower 'NU [.]M'; possibly a touchpiece or love token. 5.53 grams, 17 mm



Acquired since the 1970s. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of the article 'A Roman or Anglo-Saxon Fertility Amulet?' published in Treasure Hunting Magazine.

The design is reserved and very faint; the outer guilloche is quite convincing but the details of the design are hard to determine, and may always have been quite indistinct. The impression is of a 17th century love token with the initials of the couple. The finder's article implies an Anglo-Saxon date, probably on the strength of the guilloche which was often use on early Saxon metalwork - but it is a long-lived motif and not specific to that one period.

Various types in 1st millennium B.C. style. 41 grams total, 26-45 mm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

With a mother and child seated on grass amongst flowers, wispy tree growing behind, gilt flecks to the woman's clothes, jewellery, the tree and flowers, gilt border; set in a reveal within a glazed wooden frame. 838 grams, 37 x 29 cm

Fine condition.

Acquired on the UK art market, 1980s-1990s. The Woodbridge collection of Indo-Persian art.