Tudor Period Bronze Ring with Centaur

Composed of a gold centre with expanding bezel, central oval turquoise cabochon flanked by heart-shaped stones, all with gold settings against a horn or lignum vitae field. 3.40 grams, 20.99 mm overall, 14.89 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G 1/2, USA 3 1/2, Europe 5.55, Japan 5)



Swiss art market, 1996.

Composed of shots of different gauges and dates; together with ammunition of a different type. 2.46 kg total, 8-57 mm (22 x 12 cm including box)



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Carved as a mature male with stern features, likely the emperor Carus, shown with short, neatly-dressed hair and beard; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 10.4 kg, 38 cm high including stand



French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11694-199338.

Carus reigned 282-283 A.D. He served as a prefect of the guard to emperor Probus, whom he succeeded. Whilst leading a campaign against the Sassanians, Carus died suddenly and under mysterious circumstances, leading to the belief that he was struck by lightning. Little is known of his life, owing to the relative instability of that time period. Whether he had Probus murdered, or whether he was killed by mutinous troops was disputed even by his contemporaries. Carus was succeeded by his sons Carinus and Numerian, although their reigns were short-lived and his dynasty was soon supplanted. Carinus’ lasting legacy was principally the suppression of the authority of the senate. He has gone down in history as one of the tyrants of ancient Rome.