Silver Ring with Plain Hoop

Showing Christ Pantocrator (Lord of the Universe) making a blessing gesture with the right hand, the left hand holding the gospel, covered with an elaborate silver oklad marked 84, with repoussé and chased decoration, incised Cyrillic inscription on the Gospel, and on the bottom an incised Cyrillic inscription 'Господь Вседержитель'= Lord Almighty. 498 grams, 22.5 x 18 cm



Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

This fine Russian religious work depicts Christ Pantocrator, ‘Almighty’ or ‘All Powerful’. It is a compound word formed from the Greek words for ‘all’ and the noun ‘strength’ (kratos). In Orthodox Christianity, his icon is one of the most common religious images. The 'oklad', or protective covering of the icon, was made from silver, often gilt, sometimes with cloisonné enamel decorations, and always decorated with geometric floral patterns. The style of Christ recalls the work of Ivan Semenovich Gubkin, an embosser active in Russia at the beginning of 20th century.

The bezel with a clasped hands motif with a heart at the centre and elaborate cuffs, narrow D-section hoop; inscribed to the inner face 'No treasure to a true friend' with a long S, worn maker's mark at the end of the inscription, appearing to have the letters 'IV' or IW' in Roman capitals within a simple escutcheon. 2.26 grams, 18.54 mm overall, 16.40 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



Found near Burstow, Tanbridge, Surrey, UK, on Monday 1st May 2023; disclaimed with treasure reference 2023 T419. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.SUR-OAA74B. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

If the maker's mark is 'IV' it may correspond to John Vickerman, a goldsmith active in London from 1768 to 1773. Alternatively, if the maker's mark is 'IW' it may correspond to a number of makers: John Williamson, 1650; John Ward, 1660; James Wilkes, 1722; or John White, 1724.

Two irregular panels joined in a lead frame, head of a Magus from the Nativity story; bearded with gold crown above the turban. 201 grams, 21.5 cm



European collection, 19th century, by descent. with Christie's, London, 15 December 1998, no.70. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12549-230643. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.