Circa 11th-12th century A.D. With rounded underside and flange rim; tondo with incised symmetrical vinescroll with bunches of grapes enclosing central disc with niello-filled Chi Rho flanked by alpha and omega; legend to the rim in capitals: '+++ ???? ?????????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ???????' (For the eternal rest of him who had knowledge in the name of the Lord). Cf. similar item of an earlier date in the British Museum, London, under accession no. 1899,0425.1; Aimone, M., The Wyvnern collection, Byzantine and Sasanian Silver, Enamels and Works of Art, London, 2020, figs.43a-b-c. 395 grams, 23.5 cm wide (9 1/4 in.).

From a European family collection formed in the 1990s; thence by descent to a UK gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report of Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by professional drawings of the object. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11963-210867.

The decorative apparatus of this plate could be associated with Eastern Roman art of the 11-12th century A.D., although we cannot exclude an earlier dating. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website]