BYZANTINE, MEDIEVAL, AND EARLY CHRISTIAN ART
* * *
| 8155. CHOICE BYZANTINE SILVER SPOON WITH CROSS, ‘ladle-type’, 7th to 10th century AD, decorated with cross on finial, lovely decorated handle, 150 mm long, 38 g. RARE and fine early Christian art. $14,000 estimate. |  |
| 8156. AN EARLY CHRISTIAN OIL LAMP, c. 4th-5th century AD. The red glazed lamp with a Chi Rho (one of the earliest Christian symbols, being the a monogram of the first and last letters of Christ’s name in Greek) on the discus. 5.75 inches. Intact. Rare early Christian artifact. $1500 estimate. |  |
| 8157. A MEDIEVAL SILVER RING WITH CROSS, c. 500-1000 AD. The sheet silver ring with an engraved cross on the bezel and decorative engravings at the shoulders. 17 mm internal diameter. A fine Medieval Dark Ages Christian ring. Choice wearable condition. $2000 estimate. |  |
| 8158. A FINE BYZANTINE RELIQUARY CROSS, c. 9th-12th century AD. Christ crucified one side with small cross above, the Virgin orans on the other, swivel suspension loop above. 2.25 inches. Such reliquaries were used to carry relics of Saints and Martyrs, splinters of the true cross and other religious relics. Choice wearable intact unopened example. $2500 estimate. |  |
| 8159. A BYZANTINE BRONZE CROSS, c. 7th-10th century AD. The cross with equal length grooved arms and intact suspension loop, an empty setting at the center. 1.5 x 1.8 inches. Nice, intact and wearable. $750 estimate. |  |
| 8160. LATE RENAISSANCE TERRA COTTA HEAD OF MICHELANGELO'S DAVID, c. 16th-17th century. The head modeled after that of the famous statue. 0.8 x 1.4 inches. $750 estimate. |  |
| 8161. FINE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE PRAYING YOUTH, c. 15th-16th century. The boy wearing a short tunic and page boy haircut, his hands clasped in prayer above a large cross at his waist. 3.5 inches. Wonderful Renaissance bronze of fine artistic style. Intact and stands on its own. Very rare and desirable. Could be much improved with professional cleaning to reveal original details. Face has more detail than burnt out image shows. $6000 estimate. |  |
| 8162. RARE MEDIEVAL BRONZE CROSS. Italy, c. 12th-15th century. The cross with figure of Christ over five cruciform openings that once held inlay. 3.25. Intact but small suspension loop. Extremely rare and nice - certainly much better if properly cleaned and restored with inlay. $2000 estimate. |  |
| 8163. RARE BYZANTINE BRONZE PLAQUE OR PILGRIM'S BADGE WITH ENGRAVED INSCRIPTION AND CROSS, c. 5th-8th century AD. The large shield-shaped plaque engraved with a central solid cross above a Latin cross with a star to the left, K to the right. An A followed by another Latin cross and an I to the left, an M to the right. Intact original suspension chain at the top. 3.1 x 3.75 inches exclusive of the chain. Rare and interesting. Any additional information on what the inscription might mean would be welcomed. $4000 estimate. |  |
| 8164. MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN NECKLACE. Italy, c. 8th-14th century AD. Mix of glass, terra cotta, rock crystal and glazed beads. 13 inches. $1500 estimate. |  |
| 8165. RARE MEDIEVAL INSCRIBED PENDANT WITH CROSS. Italy, c. 8th-13th century. The bronze pendant inscribed BIPHV.VHPXIWI PL(L is backwards)IX-KIM around a central medallion on which is inscribed a radiate cross. 1.5 x 1.75 inches. Suspension loop broken otherwise excellent condition. Very rare with intriguing inscription. Any translation appreciated. $3000 estimate. |  |
| 8166. EARLY SILVER CHRIST, c. 17th -18th century. Finely detailed figure of Christ from a reliquary cross. Light deposits attesting age. 1.25 x 1.75 inches. $1000 estimate. |  |
| 8167. MEDIEVAL BRONZE VENETIAN LION, c. 7th - 12th century. Finely detailed crouching lion. 1.5 inches. Remains of a bronze mounting pin through one paw. $2800 estimate. |  |
| 8168. DARK AGES BRONZE PIN, c. 5th-7th century. The inscribed pin in the form of a sword or dagger. 1.5 inches. Intact. $300 estimate. |  |
| 8169. 7 ANTIQUE AND ANCIENT BRONZE ARTIFACTS, ancient to 19th century. Couple of pendants, early weight, ornate cross, etc. To 2 inches. $450 estimate. |  |
| 8024. LATE ROMAN/BYZANTINE LEAD WEIGHT SEALED WITH THE MONOGRAM OF CHRIST. c. 3rd century AD. The lead stamped with the cruciform monogram of Christ (see a bronze ring in the Roman Art section for a clearer example of the Christ monogram). 1.5 inches. Rare. The sides are in shadow and do not show in the image, the weight is roughly square in cross section. $750 estimate. |  |
| 8025. LATE ROMAN/BYZANTINE LEAD WEIGHT WITH SEAL IMPRESSIONS. c. 3rd century AD. The lead stamped with 4 star-like impressions, suspension hole in the smaller end. 1.75 inches. Rare. The sides are in shadow and do not show in the image, the weight is roughly square in cross section. $150 estimate. |  |
| 8026. A CHOICE BYZANTINE LEAD SEAL, c. 6th-9th century AD. The seal stamped with cruciform monogram one side, a cross and NIKHFORO WYPATO on the other. The name of Nicephoros Hypatos and on the other side there is an invocative cruciform monogram that means: lord help your servant (this side is the obverse). Its border indicates that it is to be dated from the 3rd quarter of the 6th century to 2nd quarter of the 9th century. 1.25 inches. Exceptionally sharp and clear example. Precise attribution appreciated. $1500 estimate. |  |
| 8027. A BYZANTINE LEAD SEAL, c. 6th-9th century AD. The seal stamped with cruciform monogram one side, name of the issuing authority on the other. On the obverse there is an invocative cruciform monogram that means: lord help your servant. Its border indicates that it is to be dated from the 3rd quarter of the 6th century to 2nd quarter of the 9th century. 1 inch. Precise attribution appreciated. $750 estimate. |  |
| 8028. A BYZANTINE LEAD SEAL, c. 5th-8th century AD. The seal stamped with cruciform monogram one side, name of the issuing authority on the other. 1.25 inches. Double struck but certainly attributable. Precise attribution appreciated. $1250 estimate. |  |
| 8029. BYZANTINE BRONZE RING WITH CROSS AND NAME OF JESUS, c. 5th-6th century. The ring with engraved cross on the ends of which are the letters ICOYC, the Greek form of ‘Jesus’. A choice early Christian item! Fairly large ring in excellent condition. 20-21mm internal diameter. $1850 estimate. |  |
| 8030. BYZANTINE BRONZE RING WITH CROSS AND NAME OF JESUS, c. 5th-6th century. The ring with engraved cross on the ends of which are the letters ICOYC, the Greek form of ‘Jesus’. A choice early Christian item! Ring in excellent condition. 18 mm internal diameter. $1500 estimate. |  |
| 8031. BYZANTINE BRONZE RING WITH CHRISTIAN ANGEL, c. 5th-7th century AD. The bezel engraved with stylized angel stg. facing, the band ornamented with notches. 18 x 19 mm internal diameter. Early Christian jewelry. Wearable. $400 estimate. |  |
| 8032. EARLY BYZANTINE CROSS WITH JESUS, c. 5th-8th century AD. 2.2 inches. Excellent intact condition with sharp Christ figure and suspension loop. $1750 estimate. |  |
| 8033. MEDIEVAL GILT BRONZE CROSS, c. 14th-16th century. The cross of recessed form with attached figure of Jesus, areas of gilding visible through patina and probably much more gilding underneath, suspension loop at top. 3 inches. Rare. $1500 estimate. |  |
| 8034. AN EARLY ITALIAN LEAD SEAL, c. 16th-18th century. Stamped both sides with an eagle with spread wings with crown above, legend around. Both sides are different. 0.8 inches. Attribution appreciated. $300 estimate. |  |
HOME > MAIN GALLERIES > GALLERY 55: