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

Vesica-shaped with median robed figure holding a flower; border with legend 'S’ MHCRI [for MAGRI] ROB’TI DE SVMERCOTE' for ‘seal of Master Robert of Somercotes (Derbyshire)’; supplied with an impression. 15.9 grams, 37 mm



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

Comprising six domed thimbles with pellet decoration. 24.9 grams total, 14-20 mm



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

Pointed oval seal matrix with a pierced lug on the reverse; on the obverse, a central eight-rayed star with alternating long and short rays, the legend divided from the design by a thin line, surrounding inscription reading '+S'AVICIE F AELBEL' for 'seal of Avice, daughter of Aelbel'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 10.98 grams, 29 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Brookland, 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-D8D01B.

Pointed oval seal matrices of this period frequently give the names of women or priests.

Flat-section panel with beaded edges; incised ornate legend '+ [alpha][omega] INIThI[....]'. 1.99 grams, 32 mm



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

Square in plan with rivet-hole to each corner, low-relief cross fleury with red enamel fill on a blue enamel field. 8.78 grams, 25 mm



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

Comprising five domed thimbles with pellet decoration. 34.79 grams total, 14-24 mm



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

Including annular, beehive and other types. 137 grams total, 16-21 mm



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

Including flat-topped, beehive and other types. 28.87 grams total, 16-22 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. From the private collection of a Kent, UK, gentleman.

Comprising eight domed thimbles with pellet decoration. 35 grams total, 12-22 mm



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

Comprising: knife and dagger pommels of various domed, hooked, pierced, trefoil and other types; mounted in a glazed wooden collector's frame with label. 1.06 kg total, 32 x 32 cm including framed



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

A substantial biconvex prayer bead pierced through its vertical axis and divided by a moulded equatorial band, the two halves engraved in Gothic blackletter with the Marian invocation: 'O MATER DEI / MEMENTO MEI' for 'O Mother of God, remember me'; six-pointed stars, flowers and foliate sprays accompany the lettering. 13.2 grams, 17 mm



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection.

The size and elaborate inscription are consistent with a larger gaud, used to distinguish prayers within a rosary or paternoster.

Tongue-shaped with onion-knop finial, one face with engraved stylised dragon in profile. 16.9 grams, 74.8 mm



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