Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1288
English Medieval Oval-Shaped Seal Matrix for William of Thornton
EARLY 14TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (12.8 grams, 25 mm).
A bronze ellipsoid seal matrix with pierced quatrefoil finial; incuse motif of Mary seated with infant Jesus on her lap, star above her shoulder, kneeling robed and tonsured figure beside her with hand raised in prayer; Lombardic script legend to the border with beaded bands '* S' WILL'I DE ThORNTONE' (seal of William of Thornton).
Provenance
The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s.
Matrix Collection catalogue no.909.
Many of the seals within the collection were published in a book titled 'The Matrix Collection', by David Morris in 2012.
Accompanied by a copy of the illustrated collection notes.
Footnotes
Thornton is a village in West Yorkshire, close to the city of Bradford and mentioned in Domesday Book; it was where the Brontë sisters spent their early lives before moving to Haworth.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 1288
English Medieval Oval-Shaped Seal Matrix for William of Thornton
Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
RELATED LOTS
-
Medieval Ring with Building
12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
A copper-alloy ring composed of a slender hoop with shaped shoulders, the discoid bezel engraved with a single cell building with pitched roof, a winged figure or animal standing within, with simple geometric forms to the shoulders. 5.23 grams, 25.30 mm overall, 21.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)
Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman. -
Medieval Knife with Bronze Pommel and Pelican
Circa 1500 A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
A scale tanged knife with iron blade and single cutting edge, wooden scales, copper-alloy pommel incised to one face with bust of a richly-clothed figure, and on the other face with what is possibly a pelican pecking its breast. 23.3 grams, 14.6 cm long
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. -
'The Chinnor' Medieval Gold 'None So Well' Decorated Posy Ring
Circa 1400-1500 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
A gold posy ring composed of a waisted band with pearled and raised upper and lower borders, each decorated with a circumferential ring of pellets, the central section engraved with a blackletter French inscription: 'nul ce bien' ('none so well'), each word separated by sunbursts and flowers; plain interior. 1.83 grams, 18.11 mm overall, 16.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)
Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Kevin Ford on 25th January 2020 in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Report (PAS) number OXON-FF9F8E. Accompanied by a letter to HM Coroner for Oxfordshire from the Treasure Registrar at the British Museum disclaiming the Crown's interest in the ring with treasure reference number 2020 T76. Accompanied by a letter from the finder detailing the circumstances of the find. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11657-196665.
French Gothic blackletter inscriptions on finger rings were associated with the culture of chivalry and courtly love; a historic example of gifts and tokens as expressions of love. Some scholars note that black letter inscriptions are prevalent on love rings between the 13th-15th centuries. Although such rings could be both English and French in origin, it is believed that most were English, with French inscriptions. Note that the PAS offers a different interpretation of the inscription on this ring.
