Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Tubular-section barrel shank with incised hatching and traces of silver inlay, bow with central quatrefoil void and spurs to the radiating arms, large rectangular bit with clefts and grooved wards. 50.7 grams, 96 mm



Found Romney Marsh area, Kent, 1990-2015. From an extensive collection of large medieval keys; the property of a Kent, UK gentleman.

Comprising two masters for the production of blank seals, one a vesica-shaped piece with fleur-de-lys motif, the other a disc with similar motif and casting lug. 35.3 grams total, 31-32 mm



Found Romney Marsh area, Kent, 1990-2015. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector.

Vesica-shaped with median band flanked by crosses potent and legend 'COMENAL' and to the border 'S’ FRATRVM OSPITAL’ SCI’ TOME', supplied with an impression. 12.22 grams, 39 mm



Found Romney Marsh area, Kent, 1990-2015. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector.

It seems this is the seal of the community of the Brothers of St. Thomas’s Hospital. There was more than one medieval hospital dedicated to St. Thomas Becket in the Middle Ages, e.g. the Hospital of St. Thomas the Martyr (Swale), and that of the same name in Eastbridge, Canterbury.

Tapering tubular socket with vents at the base and short balustered shank, triangular base with three splayed feet, pounced field between. 137 grams, 70 mm



Found Romney Marsh area, Kent, 1990-2015. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector.

Comprising a hexagonal handle and a trefoil-shaped lug, a circular die with a central hare motif within a simple border, retrograde inscription reading '+PRIVE S M D V' for 'prive su' translating to 'I am private'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 11.7 grams, 28 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Folkestone and Hythe, Kent, UK. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.KENT-564A9A.

Comprising two recessed panels, each hinged at one edge, with punched triangular markings in curved and cross-shaped bands. 15.9 grams, 42 mm



Found Romney Marsh area, Kent, 1990-2015. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector.

Cruciform plaque with fixing stud, beaded border and central boss. 2.12 grams, 19 mm



Found Essex, UK. From the private collection of a Kent, UK, gentleman.

Formed as a stylised winged lion standing on a ribbed border, engraved decoration to the body, remains of gilding. 44.5 grams, 60 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

Comprising a tapering handle with a collar and suspension loop, the die with a central motif of a clean-shaven man facing left, wearing a hood or a coif with a hood, probably depicting a jester, with a surrounding inscription reading '*S’ NVLLVM TALE'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 6.97 grams, 19 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Ivychurch, Kent, UK. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.KENT-B3B6F3.

Snaffle-bit comprising two irregular square-section bars with the narrow loop finials linked, at the outer end of each a broad coil retaining a ring. 114 grams, 25 cm



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Biconvex in section and discoid in plan with large central void and two lateral convergent holes; two looped arms each with a square panel finial, enamelled field with reserved leaf motif. 20.76 grams, 44 mm



Found Romney Marsh area, Kent, 1990-2015. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector.

Heater-shaped with two separate fields to the obverse, one with three lions passant regardant on a red enamelled field, one with geometric motif on a blue enamelled field; attachment loop to the top. 11.8 grams, 40.9 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.