May 28, 2001, The Fairchild Family Trust Collection, Sale 10
Lot 2834
Late Antique Globular
Bottle in a deep Violet Color. Byzantine or Islamic, c. 9th-12th century AD.
The intensely colored bottle of nearly spherical shape, with very short
neck, and everted, rounded rim. The glass thick and quite robust. Intact and
superbly preserved. Height: 2-3/4". Intact and attractive.
Estimated Value
$1,250-UP.
Lot 2835
A Large and Early
Byzantine Cross in Bronze. Byzantium, 5th-7th century AD. A solid, robust
cross of cast bronze, with integral suspension loop at top. The arms of the
cross flare outward, with the ends slightly concave. On the front side, within,
a pattern of incised circle-dots comprise a second cross with serif arms. Cross
intact and sharp, with crusty green patina. Height: 3-1/4". A good early
example, of unusual size.
Estimated Value $600-750.
Lot 2836
An Attractive Byzantine
Cross of Good Size. Byzantium, 9th-11th century AD. Cross of typical shape
for period, with flaring arms ending in flat circular projections at each
corner. Boldly and deeply engraved, the cross has at the center a similar,
smaller cross with crescentic finials to the arms. Depicted on upper arm,
facing nimbate bust of the Virgin; on right arm, nimbate bust of Saint Mark,
right hand raised; at left, a similar bust of St. John; Bottom arm with facing
nimbate bust of unbearded Christ. Possibly a separate tang once attached, as at
the bottom of the lower arm there is a hole for, and the remains of, an iron
rivet. Cross finely preserved, with black to dark green patina, with earthen
highlights. Height: 4-1/4", on custom stand. Fine example of type.
Estimated Value $850-975.
Ex Milton V. Anastos Collection. Professor
Anastos a noted Byzantine scholar and collector.
Lot 2837
A Boldly Engraved
Byzantine Reliquary Cross in Bronze. Byzantium, 9th-11th century AD. A
reliquary cross, consisting of two sides joined by a hinge, in a finely
patinated bronze. Each side with facing bearded male in orant pose. The two
sides are nearly identical but for slight differences in the detailing of the
ornately patterned robes. Partial hatched borders on three arms of each cross.
But for minor loss to one hinge ring, cross is virually pristine. Height:
3-1/4". A very striking work, with a lovely, deep olive patina.
Estimated
Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 2838
A Rare and Ornate
Byzantine Cross in Base Silver. Byzantium, 9th-12th century AD. A reliquary
cross, consisting of two sides joined by a hinge, fashioned in an alloy of
silver-billon. On side A: Nimbate Christ stands frontal, arms out to the sides,
a small cross emerging from each wrist. Above, another small cross, on either
side of which, the inscription: "Christ is Victorious." His garment with a
finely rendered pattern of scallops. Side B: Virgin Orans standing, with Christ
child before her. Ornamental fillers at sides. Above, swagged drapery, and
inscription: "Mother of Christ." Some losses to hing rings on side B, otherwise
cross with little wear and the metal very good, showing a deep gray patina with
touches of dark green and brown. Height: 3-1/4". A very striking work, done in
a very distinctive, and richly patterned style. Surviving crosses in silver,
especially those of any significant artistic quality, are rare.
Estimated
Value $1,800-2,200.
Lot 2839
Attractive Small Reliquary
Cross, in Nicely Patinated Bronze. Byzantium(?), c. 9th-12th century AD.
The reliquary cross, consisting of two sides joined by hinges and with
hinged loop, is complete and unopened. Cast with the artwork in relief, and
finished off with chased detailing. Side A: Bearded and nimbate Christ, in long
robe, stands with arms outstreched. Side B: A Veiled or nimbate Virgin Orans
stands facing, arms upraised. The reliquary with good, glossy dark green to
dark brown patina. Intact and in choice condition. Height: 2-1/4". A very
pleasing example of this later type. The distinctive stylizations of the art
might place its manufacture more in the eastern Europe rather than Byzantium.
Estimated Value $450-525.
Lot 2840
Another Elaborate
Reliquary Cross in Bronze. Byzantium, 10th-11th century AD. A reliquary
cross, consisting of two sides joined by a hinges. This cross is cast with
artwork in relief, and the incised detailing added. Side A: Bearded and nimbate
Christ, in long robe, hangs on cross; at his left hand, the Virgin, at his
right, St. John. Inscription in field beneath arms. Side B: A Nimbate Virgin
Orans stands facing at center; arounder her, in each arm of the cross, a
circular medallion bearing facing busts of Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, each
holding their gospels. But for missing suspension loop, cross intact and
unopened. The reliquary with glossy brown and earthen brown patina. Height:
3-1/4". A good example of this later type.
Estimated Value $1,450-1,650.
Lot 2841
A Small but Attractive
Cross in Silver. Byzantium, c. 10th-12th century AD. Scarce pendant cross
in silver -- a later type with longer and narrower arms, which terminate in
twin rounded shapes. Centered within the cross, another plain engraved one,
with central circular medallion. Intact, the metal excellent. Height: 1-1/4".
Simple but elegant, and suitable for wear even now.
Estimated Value
$450-500.
Lot 2842
A Late Byzantine Cross
with the Virgin and Christ Child. Byzantium, c. 11th-13th century AD. A
solid, robust cross of bronze, with integral suspension loop at top, and cast
with the motif in rather high relief. The arms of the cross, like those in
preceding lots, flare outward. Standing within the center, the Virgin, nimbate,
faces forward and holds before her the infant Christ. On either side of her an
angel supports her arm. Cross intact with minor wear. With good dark
green-black patina. Height: 3". An appealing type, so suggestive of the Middle
Ages. Rare.
Estimated Value $975-1,200.
Lot 2843
Attractive Small Cross
Inlay, in Bronze. Byzantium(?), c. 11th-14th century AD. The small, cast
cross of an advanced shape compared to the preceding lots. As before, the arms
flare outward; again, the ends are concave, but now the projecting ornaments at
the corners are trefoil-shaped. Non-figurative ornament in the form of raised
drop shapes occupy the arms. There are no indications that the piece was used
as a pendant. Intact with little wear, with lightly crusty green and earthen
patina. Height: 2". Perhaps made further in the East. Some of the traits seen
here are reminiscent of contemporary Islamic bronze work. Very pleasing.
Estimated Value $325-400.
Lot 2844
A Late Byzantine Cross
Appliquè, in Bronze. Byzantium, c. 12th-13th century AD. A nearly
square cross, with large rounded ends to the arms, is cast with a relief design
of the Nimbate Virgin standing facing, in the center, and surrounding her in
each arm of the cross, a circular medallion bearing facing busts of Mathew,
Mark, Luke, and John. At back, remains of tenons where this piece would have
been attached to a book cover or casket, or similar. Intact, and showing use.
With brown and green patina, and legible devices. Height: 2-3/8". Interesting
and scarce.
Estimated Value $450-575.