Vintage Gilded Icon of the Mosaic of Archangel Michael

D-section hoop with five incised equal-armed crosses to the outer face, representing the five wounds of Christ. 3.43 grams, 21.65 mm overall, 18.12 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



From the collection of a gentleman born in the late 19th century, formed 1940s-1970s. From an old Staffordshire family collection; thence by descent.

Of Read's Class D Type 6, trefoil in plan with notched outer edges and a bifid knop to each angle; three applied bosses to the obverse, two with a central applied granule (the third absent); each dome with a pair of wire annulets containing smaller annulets arranged vertically, with a small granule at each junction (one granule absent); set between each pair of large annulets is a small wire annulet with granule cluster; central decorative rove with split shank, flattened on the reverse and with decorative hexafoil head, three pentagonal petals separated by smaller interstitial petals each with a triangular notch on the edge; on the reverse, two silver attachment elements have been soldered in place, a transverse rectangular attachment loop above and the end of a silver hook below (partly absent); some gilding remaining. 11.9 grams, 32 mm



Found near Lewes, East Sussex, UK, in 2023; declared as potential Treasure under the Treasure Act with Treasure reference no.2025T533, subsequently disclaimed and returned to the finder. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SUSS-23C7ED. Accompanied by a copy of the Treasure Act 1996 receipt from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.

This rather large example of a hooked tag fits with Read's (2008) Class D, Type 6 being a trefoil single sharp-hooked clasp of composite construction which he dates to the 16th century. Read illustrates a number of these in silver gilt, similar to the one recorded here, with three bosses and a splayed pin securing a petalled rove (p. no.s 264-70). Compare also no: 272 with projecting knops in each angle of the back plate. Other examples of this type recorded on the database and submitted for the consideration as Treasure include: KENT-B7A7B4 (2012T826); SF-034BF3 (2008T446); YORYM-708E7A (2023T221); NMS-6DE0F9 (2022T959) and ESS-491A58 (2022T941).

Comprising: profile male and female busts in carnelian and other stones; each supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.66 grams total, 14-18 mm



Private collection, England.