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

D-section ring with slightly bevelled inside edges, exterior with incised letters including R, I's and N's with a single-line border running on the top and bottom edges. 2.99 grams, 20.05 mm overall, 16.36 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



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-0856C8.

Comprising two discoid panels, each hinged at one edge, with punched markings to the outer face, remains of lead paste and cracked glass insert inside. 27 grams, 45.2 mm



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

Lyre-shaped strap end with foliage finial, a low-relief figure of standing Saint Christopher holding a staff and carrying a child Christ on his shoulders, rectangular finial with engraved geometric motif-possibly a letter. 53.6 grams, 93 mm



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

D-section hoop with discoid decor enclosing a lozenge-shaped plaque inscribed 'ARI'. 5.96 grams, 23.50 mm overall, 18.55 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Formed as a cross-crosslet, the symbol of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, with a punched-point border. 0.92 grams, 23 mm



Found Suffolk, UK. Property of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman.

The 'Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem' was an order of knighthood under the protection of the Pope, formed around 1099 AD by Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, the leader of the First Crusade. It was established for the protection of pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land and was recognised by a Papal Bull in about 1113 AD.

Flat-section hoop with stamped flowers and tendrils, bastarda script legend 'vous et nul autre' (you and no other). 2.83 grams, 19.14 mm overall, 16.77 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



Acquired in the 1970s-1980s. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector.

Tongue-shaped with onion-knop finial, engraved dragon in profile to one face. 19.9 grams, 76.5 mm



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

Comprising five domed thimbles with pellet decoration. 18.1 grams total, 15-22 mm



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

Heater-shaped with integral suspension lug; incuse dragon with wings raised. 14 grams, 45 mm



Ex Graham Slater collection, Cambridge, 1980s-1990s.

With pierced trefoil terminal functioning as a suspension loop, double hexagonal collar, the shank flaring to the circular die; within a beaded circle, a standing spread eagle with hooked beak facing right on the die, the wings extending to each side with three vertical ribs or feathers; at the base, a cluster of ribs reflecting the feet or tail feathers; legend within a plain raised linear border '* REY DE OIZEVS' translating as 'king of birds'. 11.4 grams, 25 mm



Found near Lewes, East Sussex, UK, in August 2024. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SUSS-AE6B2F.

Comprising: an incomplete signet ring with a feathered border enclosing a merchant's mark formed from the black letter lowercase christogram 'ihc'; the other with an oval bezel bearing a reclining, facing lion figure; accompanied by two museum-quality impressions. 9.03 grams total, 22-25 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Lydd, Kent, UK; one with a PAS report. 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-B5C4CA.

Discoid in plan with bifacial low-relief imagery: Obverse - Calvary scene with Corpus Christi and flanking mourners; Reverse - hatched field with supine dragon, triumphant robed and crowned figure holding aloft a cross piercing the dragon's mouth. 5.63 grams, 28 mm



From a retired Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman's collection, a long time member of the Pewter Society.

The imagery may represent St George slaying the dragon, although he is usually pictured nimbate and on horseback. Alternatively, it may show Christ overcoming Satan in the form of a dragon in the Harrowing of Hell episode.