Large Medieval Bronze 'Ixworth' Signet Ring with Crowned I

Comprising: six rings with decorative bezels; a ring with a twisted hoop and a domed bezel with rope border. 18.52 grams total, 19-25 mm



Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Similar cast bronze rings with stylised animals and chevrons or other geometric patterns were found in the Necropolis of Zabran, Zemun, and dated 10th-15th century A.D. These rings were often decorated with stylised images of animals and geometric patterns.

Comprising a matched pair of substantial hammer beams from a truss roof, each with a longitudinal slot in the upper face at the rear and socketted brace; slightly tapering square-section body with tiered feather carved detailing, collar of domed bosses on the neck of an angelic head with flounced curls of hair, fleshy facial details with carved eyes and pupils; drilled to accept trennels, some in place; some gilding and pigment present; some longitudinal splitting. 80.5 kg total, 142 cm each



From a family collection for over 60 years. From a late friend of Mr Robin Cox of Newark, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13033-247084.

Carved stylised elephant with elongated ears supporting a palanquin in the form of a caste with a carved cross, foliage motif to the reverse; mounted on a velvet-covered stand. 1.31 kg total, 34.2 cm including stand



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13088-248391.

The image of an elephant carrying warriors in a howdah originated from Alexander the Great's battle against King Porus's war elephants at the Battle of Hydaspes in 326 BC. This motif became widely known in European art through the spread of Bestiaries which were medieval texts combining natural history with moralising Christian stories. One of the most well known was Matthew Paris’s imagined depictions of elephants, most notable in this case is his war elephant illustrated in Chronica maiora II, circa 1240-1255 (Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 016II). Another well known manuscript - The Rochester Bestiary, circa 1230-1240 (British Library, London, Royal MS 12 F.xiii) contains a miniature with a war elephant in the midst of battle, above another image of elephants supposedly in their natural habitat. Since very few live elephants were seen in Europe during the medieval period, their representations were often more imaginative than realistic. Other Medieval bench end carvings of elephants in English churches are known, amongst them are: St Peter and St Paul, Tuttington, Norfolk; St Andrew, South Lopham, Norfolk; St Edmund, South Burlingham, Norfolk; St Andrew, Holme Hale, Norfolk. Elephants can also be found on misericords, some examples can be found at: Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Exeter; Cathedral Church of St Peter, Gloucester; and St Mary's Church, Beverley.