Tudor Period Bronze Ring with Fleur-de-Lis

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.

Representing Saint Antipas with a Gospel in his left hand and making the gesture of blessing with his right, dressed as a bishop, with sticharion, covered by omophorion, and surmounted by an epitrachelion; the Mandylion at the centre above the saint, Saint Mary on the left panel and Jesus on the right; Old Slavic inscription around the figures: 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); 'ΜΡ ϴΥ'(Mother of God); Saint Antipas of Pergamum (Св Анти́па Перга́мский). 238 grams, 11.3 cm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The icon features meticulous craftsmanship typical of Orthodox iconography. Saint Antipas was popularly held to be a healer of tooth problems. He was martyred by being burned in a brazen bull-shaped altar under the Emperor Nero or Domitian.

Travel icon with hinged doors, featuring Saint Nicholas with a book in his left hand and making the gesture of blessing with his right, dressed as a bishop with a sticharion, covered by an omophorion, and surmounted by an epitrachelion embroidered with crosses; the saint flanked by Jesus and Virgin Mary, Christ holding the gospel, Mary holding the bishop’s epitrachelion. 163 grams, 10.2 cm



Ex P. Chapman collection, 1980s-1990s.