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LOT 1902
Celtic to Medieval Bronze Ring Collection
1ST CENTURY B.C.-16TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 - 1 in. (30.06 grams total, 19-26 mm).
Comprising six rings with decorative bezels. [6, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000.
From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. for some medieval types, Mills, N., Medieval Artefacts, Witham, 2003, p.47, fig.NM.112.
FootnotesSeal rings are the most usual types of all medieval base metal rings. Brass or bronze specimens are the most common. The merchants and tradesmen ordered various devices to be engraved on the bezels of their seal rings, and sometimes they gave the appearance of being heraldic blazons.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Eastern Medieval Bronze Ring with Thunderbolt
15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Comprising a thick hoop with keeled shoulders, a raised lentoid-shaped bezel with an incuse thunderbolt motif. 14.42 grams, 27.49 mm overall, 19.06 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)
Found Hampshire, UK. Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
These kind of rings, possibly used as signet rings, find their parallels with artefacts from Eastern Europe, especially in the area of Smederevo. Comparison elements can support a 15th A.D. date. -
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Medieval Silver-Gilt Ring with Male Head Gemstone and Inscriptions
15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680
With applied outer layer of gold engraved with flowers and the words, “en bon an” (twice) (‘a good year’); the flat bezel with a recessed centre set with a medieval mother-of-pearl intaglio depicting a male bust in profile; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.72 grams, 23.64 mm overall, 20.45 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)
Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Dorset, UK, on Sunday, 30th December 2018. Acquired on the English art market. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.DEV-5E4EDA. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13069-248371.
The inscription is in black letter appears to read “en bon an”, a good year. The inscription is paralleled on a good number of 15th century rings, often also decorated with flowers and branches between the words, such as British Museum catalogue numbers AF.1057 and 1960,1103.1. -
Medieval Bronze Knight's Holy Sepulchre Badge
Circa 13th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Formed as a cross-crosslet, the symbol of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, with punched-point border. 0.81 grams, 24 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.
