Large Brass Centerpiece with Blue Enamel

Composed of flattened oval and tubular beads, restrung with a modern clasp. 29 grams, 42 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Comprising a silver cluster bezel centred by an emerald cabochon and surrounded by diamonds, the reverse of the bezel enamelled with white and black enamel, and the setting resting on an engraved gold hoop with remains of black enamel. 4.79 grams, 22.25 mm overall, 15.89 x 14.78 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)



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

Comprising: piriform gilt-framed cell with inset composition cover revealing enamelled facing figure with sceptre in each hand; pelleted rim of the cell in openwork with reserved early West Saxon legend 'AELFED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN' ([King] Alfred ordered me [to be] made); to the apex a stylized beast-head with hollow muzzle to accept an insert; reverse with dense foliage design on a hatched field; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 30.59 grams, 53 mm



Private collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous information sheet.

A museum-quality copy of the famous æstel, a pointer used in reading. The hollow muzzle would have been provided with an ivory rod with tapering end (bone or wood might have been used, but ivory would be more suited to so prestigious an object). The original has a rock-crystal cover which reveals the cloisonné enamel image beneath. It is understood that these pointers were distributed from Winchester by the royal court alongside a handwritten manuscript of Gregory's Cura Pastoralis in English (West Saxon) translation to important ecclesiastical establishments with the instruction that the pointer should not be separated from the book, nor the book from the church. Alfred was responsible for undertaking the translation of the text, one of the 'books most needful for men to know' as his prologue states.