Western Asiatic Style Silver Inlaid Bronze Calligraphic Mythical Bird

Painted onto a pair of gessoed wooden doors for the iconostasis, pentagonal in form with applied beading to the edges; Left: gilt field with advancing winged figure in ankle-length robes holding a slender wand and with thick curly hair, legend 'Ο ΑΡΧΗ' and 'ΓΑΒΡΗΛ'; Right: similar with Mary in floor-length blue robe and crimson mantle, holding a drop-spindle and winder, with legend 'Ω/MP'; representing the Annunciation of the Virgin by the Archangel Gabriel; mounted on a velvet-covered wooden frame. 9.15 kg total, 93.5 x 68.5 cm including frame



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. 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 a search certificate number no.12552-231939. 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. 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.

Sheet bronze buckle plate with lateral integral hook; stamped design including a circular band enclosing a maritime scene with two sailing ships; band with legend 'Laying the Atlantic Cable'; collector's handwritten ticket. 7.15 grams, 56 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Laying a telegraphic cable beneath the Atlantic Ocean was among the 19th century's most remarkable technological achievements since it allowed messages to pass between North America and Europe in a matter of minutes, rather than the two weeks by steamship. A first attempt in 1858 was unsuccessful but two working cables were finally laid in July and September 1866 by a team of engineers, technicians and sailors, with two groups of financial backers involved and relying on help from the British and United States navies. HMS Agamemnon was deployed on this mission alongside USS Niagara. The occasion caused a great stir at the time and was commemorated in numerous works of art.

D-section hoop inscribed to the inner face 'Keepe Faith Till Deaith*'. 4.76 grams, 20.71 mm overall, 17.97 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Robin Sykes at Sutton on the Forest, Hambleton, North Yorkshire, UK, on 10 October 1999, recorded as Treasure by the finder and disclaimed by the Crown with Treasure case no.MME158. From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.PAS-743C06. Accompanied by a copy of page 81 of the Treasure Annual Report 1998-1999 where this ring is published. Accompanied by copies of various correspondence relating to this find. Accompanied by an illustrated record card by Jim Halliday dated 11 October 1999. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.