Ancient Near East / Central Asia, Sassanian (Sasanian / Sasanid), middle Sassanian Empire, ca. 400 to 500 CE. A beautiful 22K+ gold ring with a large raised bezel housing a square Sassanian eye agate intaglio incised with a buck oriented to the left with his head boasting a massive rack facing the opposite direction - flanked by calligraphic flourishes. The impressive animal has four slender legs beneath a powerful body, a short stubby tail, and a handsome visage. The agate stone itself is dark chocolate brown to black on top with white and caramel brown inclusions along the sides. The intaglio is ancient, and the setting which presents a handsome shank, bezel, and granules joining bezel to shank is likely late 19th to early 20th century enabling it to be worn for any occasion! Size: intaglio measures .625" L x .625" W (1.6 cm x 1.6 cm); bezel is .5" H (1.3 cm); opening measures .75" in diameter (1.9 cm); US ring size: 7.75. Gold quality: 85%, equivalent to 22K+.The Sasanian Empire (also called Sassanid, Sasanid, or Sassanian) is generally regarded as the highlight of ancient Iranian civilization and was the final pre-Islamic empire of Persia. It was established by Ardeshir I, the son of Papak and descendant of Sasan, in 224 CE. This empire came to an end in 651 CE. The Sasanians thought of themselves as the rightful successors to the Achaemenid Persians. Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired before 2000 Condition: Slight surface wear to the gold setting and granules missing from one side, but otherwise excellent. Agate intaglio is superb with well-preserved incised imagery. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #145344
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Ancient Near East, Byzantium, ca. 9th to 12th century CE. A stunning gold cross - comprised of 87% gold, equivalent to 20K+ - the upper face covered with decorative granulation. Note that the granules are arranged in a balanced manner with triangular clusters and singular granules adorning the arms - at the center, more granulation decorating a circular boss, all set in a symmetrical design - and the entire form surrounded by a strand of granules. At the top is a tripartite suspension loop. Meaningful and opulent. Size: 1.5" H (3.8 cm); Precious metal quality: 87% gold, equivalent to 20K+; Weight: 6.5 grams.The Byzantine period was a time of intense religiosity and immense wealth concentrated in religion. On the backdrop of the Crusades and the split between the Eastern and Western branches of the Church, religious jewelry like this played a significant role. Not only did it symbolize one's status, it also served as a diplomatic tool. Interestingly, Emperor Justinian established laws (later called the Justinian Code) that among other things regulated the wearing of jewelry. He stated that sapphires, pearls, and emeralds were reserved for the emperor; however, every free man was actually entitled to wear a gold ring. This suggests widespread popularity of jewelry. After all, such a law would not have been necessary if jewelry had been a strictly aristocratic luxury. Indeed, wealth abounded in the Byzantine Empire. There were gold mines within its borders. What's more, its geographical location was ideal for trade between the East and the West. Hence, individuals of various pursuits including military officers, traders, as well as high officials reporting to the emperor would all have been able to afford luxurious jewelry.Exhibited and published in catalogue for "Dressed to Kill in Love and War: Splendor in the Ancient World" (February 1 - March 31, 2019 - Academy Museum, Easton, Maryland, USA, fig. 25, p. 10, discussion p. 3). Curator Sarah E. Cox presented it in the "Dressed to Impress" section of this exhibition. According to Dr. Cox, "All classes of women in the ancient world wore jewelry, which was considered both as adornment and as visible evidence of wealth. Many of the surviving pieces, particularly earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, were preserved because they were buried with the deceased. Others were accidentally lost in baths or toilets, or due to the vicissitudes of nature and war." Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; Exhibited and published in catalogue for "Dressed to Kill in Love and War: Splendor in the Ancient World" (February 1 - March 31, 2019 - Academy Museum, Easton, Maryland, USA, fig. 25, p. 10, discussion p. 3); ex-Madame Frances Artuner collection, Belgium, acquired in the 1960s Condition: Expected areas of slight indentation. Most if not all of the granules are present. A wonderful and wearable piece. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #146270
AMETHYST PARURE the oval amethyst pendant suspended from a rose diamond to a later brick link back chain with 9 carat gold London hallmarks for 1986 with a pair of oval amethyst ear pendants surmounted by rose diamonds and a matching oval amethyst ring Austro Hungarian mark for Vienna makers mark LW size N (4)
A Japanese Bronze Box in the form of a Taiko Drum, of typical form, decorated to either end with a triple tomo-e in silver and gilt, the body of the drum chased to resemble wood and inlaid in copper, shakudo, gold and silver with a fruiting grape vine, the top surmounted with a ring attachment, unsigned, height 12.8cms, Meiji-Taisho Era
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