MEDIEVAL GOLD ICONOGRAPHIC GLOVE RING
Late 14th-15th century AD

A flat-section gold hoop formed as seven rectangular plaques and a larger bezel; the lateral plaques each with an incised expanding-arm cross; one shoulder with pointillé border and profile nimbate bust, bearded, holding a cross before the face, 'Διις' beside the cross, 'ΙωΝ' (Iohannis, John) behind; the other shoulder with pointillé border and profile nimbate female bust with veil and raised hand, 'MHP' ligature (Mary) and 'Θὄ' (Theotokos?); the bezel a quatrefoil and square with pointillé border, intaglio facing bust of Christ Pantocrator with beard and shoulder-length hair, in loose robes holding a book in the left hand, right hand raised with thumb and third finger pressed together in sign of benediction, flanked by 'IC' and 'XC' with a tilde above each; John Cherry, former Keeper of Medieval and Later Antiquities at the British Museum, thinks that the Greek inscription, and grand nature of the ring may point to a Constantinopolitan workshop. 20 grams, 28mm overall, 23.86mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z+4 1/2, USA 14 3/4, Europe 34.71, Japan 33) (1"). Extremely fine condition. A large wearable size.

Provenance
Property of a European gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate.

Published
Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate.

Literature
See Hindman. S. et al. Toward an Art History of Medieval Rings: A Private Collection,London, 2007, item 27 for type. Supplied with a copy letter from Michael Dennis O'Hara discussing the iconography of the ring in the context of medieval Italy and Byzantium in the Paleologan period (1259-1453 AD).

Footnotes
Mary and John the Evangelist were both present at the crucifixion. Their presence on the shoulders of the ring forms a single image in which Christ is flanked by the two followers who witnessed his death.

Date
Thursday 25th February 2016 - Saturday 27th Feb 2016, Antiquities & Coin Catalogue Auction

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