6th-7th century AD. A solid gold ring with round-section hoop and round bezel showing a bust of Christ Pantokrator, below two facing angels bending towards a small equal-armed cross, either side the letters 'X' and 'P'. Cf. British Museum number AF.287, on display at location G41/dc13.10.28 grams, 22.63mm overall, 17.34mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10) (1"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in the P. Vitalis collection, acquired in 1961; collection number 17; accompanied by a copy of an appraisal by M.D. O'Hara, independent Byzantine expert, dated 1980 and an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no. 172011/07/12/2020; this lot has also been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10506-172011. [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]