197 - Byzantine Gold Ring with Niello Portrait of Empress Eirene and Her Son Constantine VI. The Kal Noselson Byzantine Collection (Lots 197-221 & 1396-1447)

Byzantine Gold Ring with Niello Portrait of Empress Eirene and Her Son Constantine VI. The Kal Noselson Byzantine Collection (Lots 197-221 & 1396-1447) Circa 8th century A.D. Flat-section hoop supporting a disc bezel with two niello-inlaid portrait busts: the male with cruciform upstand to his crown fitted with chain pendants, cloak (chlamys) pinned at right shoulder, and ornamented brooch with pendant of pearls, globe with cross beside his shoulder, in his right hand; the empress with similar crown, braided hair, slanted lines of pellets to her embroidered robe. Cf. Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas stliches Erbe, M nchen, 2004, item 649, for type; Henig, M., A Corpus of Roman Engraved Gemstones from British sites, Oxford, 1978, no.790, for a ring with similar style of niello; Parkhurst, C., Melvin Gutman Collection of Ancient and Medieval Gold', in Allen Memorial Art Museum Bulletin, vol. XVIII, 1961, for similar. 4.81 grams, 22.31 mm overall, 18.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18) (7/8 in.). [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions Website] (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.) Acquired from Derek Content, 8 May 1976. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of the original handwritten invoice from Derek Content, 8 May 1976. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13407- 259829. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.