Silver Bookplate with Mary and Child

The hand modelled with elongated fingers with nail detailing, elaborate layered jacket cuff with rosettes forming the socket; an attachment stud beneath the palm and above the wrist. 47.2 grams, 60 mm



Private collection formed in the 1990s. Acquired from a London gallery. Property of an Essex gentleman.

The ring with slender hoop, slightly expanding shoulders modelled as open lotus flowers supporting the rounded bezel, the flower motif repeated beneath the bezel; the bezel with raised rim and inset with a Roman 2nd century A.D. green jasper intaglio engraved with an ant motif. 4.32 grams, 22.07 mm overall, 18.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)

Excellent condition, rare.

From the private collection of the late A.B., London, UK; acquired before 1989. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12009-213037.

The style and technique of the ring seem to be German or Central European and date to the late 16th or early 17th centuries. The iconography of the intaglio was directly linked with one of the attributes of the Roman goddess Ceres and consecrated to the cult of Juno Lanuvina (a symbol of fertility, industry and richness), patron of grain and fertility.

Hinged at the loop with low-relief orans figure to the obverse, cristogram and pellets to the reverse; after the antique. 133 grams, 10.7 cm



Ex London, UK, provincial auction. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman.