10th-12th century AD. A substantial gold necklace composed of a loop chain and cross pendant, the chain with hook-and-loop closure with articulated discoid plaque, the plaque element with a raised cell with applied foliate scrolls and beaded collar to base; the solid gold cross pendant with articulated loop and central garnet cabochon with ivy-leaf claws, expanding and stepped conical arms. See Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 17.190.1650, for a similar chain; see Cormack, R. and Vassilaki, M., edn., Byzantium, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2008, p.224, fig.193, for a gold cross with articulated suspension loop.39.59 grams, 58cm (22 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in the P. Vitalis collection, acquired in 1961; collection number 39; accompanied by a copy of an appraisal by M.D. O'Hara, independent Byzantine expert, dated 1980; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10534-172009.