Ethnographic Wooden Walking Stick, Club and Other Items

With tubular shank and flared lateral arms, ellipsoid panel above. 3.72 grams, 24 mm



Found near Skirpenbeck, Yorkshire, UK, in 1997. From an old Yorkshire, UK, collection. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.FAKL-404206. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The item is described by the PAS report as 'probably a watch winding key' although these are very rare until the late 17th century since mechanical timepieces were not portable until then. An alternative use for the item would be for the tuning of a musical instrument: hollow keys for this purpose have been in use since at least the 7th century.

In late 15th century style, showing triumphant Jesus on the foreground, holding a flag and dressed in a brocade cloak, stigmata showing on his hands and feet; two guards on his side looking stunned, one wearing a full plate armour with a sallet and the other a leather corselet with a bascinet, third guard at the bottom of the panel looking terrified; an angel dressed in white robe, extending his arms towards Jesus; the opened tomb on the background and medieval Flemish inscription at the bottom reading 'DE VERISENIS VAN CHRISTUS’ (the Resurrection of Christ) in uncial letters; some restoration. 4.5 kg, 65 x 53.5 cm

Some restoration.

From a war-damaged church in Belgium. Ex property of a late Northumberland collector. From a private collection, Derbyshire, UK. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The scene represents the Resurrection of Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew (28,2-4), as revealed by the presence of an angel moving away the stone, and of the soldiers. According to the Christian tradition, the bodily resurrection was the restoration to life of a body transformed and nourished by the spirit, as described by Paul and the Evangelists, which led to the affirmation of Christianity. In Christian theology, the Resurrection of Jesus is ‘the fundamental mystery of faith’, as recalled by Easter, together with the remaining Christological mystery (Incarnation, Passion and Death), and together with the Logia and the works of the ministry of Jesus. For Christians, the resurrection of Jesus is a guarantee that all the dead Christians will come back to life at the time of the parousia (second coming) of Christ.

Moulded in the round figure with drawn sword held at his left shoulder, brimmed helmet, copious beard, right hand holding his road belt. 2.29 kg, 32 cm



From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.