Late Medieval Silver Cross on Hanger

Ellipsoid bezel with incuse advancing lion on a baseline, raised tail in 'S' configuration; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 2.94 grams, 23.82 mm overall, 20.07 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



From an old English collection, Bournemouth, UK. Ex Parthenon Gallery, London, UK, 2001. Property of a North London, UK, private collector.

The prominent curved tail may have been deliberately so formed to show the owner's initial 'S'.

Carved in the half-round frieze fragment or devotional sculpture of the Madonna del Fuoco, facing female in wimple and long robe with her right arm bent forward, left arm extended above a child gripping the folds of her robe; billowing flames surrounding the pair; mounted on a custom-made stand. 10.55 kg total, 37.7 cm including stand



Acquired Lukas Pearsie, Suffolk, 2012. Property of a Kent collector. From the N.J. collection, Leicester, UK.

One version of the legend of 'Our Lady of the Flames' concerns an image of Mary and the Infant Jesus which was saved from a house-fire at Forli, near Ravenna, Italy by a miraculous intervention. The icon burst out of the wall of the blazing house to the astonishment of the locals, who reported it to the church authorities and it was subsequently accepted by a papal legate as a miracle. The legend was propagated in an early Italian printed book by Giuliano Bezzi called "Il Fuoco Trionfante" (The Triumphant Fire) printed in 1637. The events are said to have taken place around 1420 A.D.

Discoid in plan with lug to reverse; central motif of an open hand with legend to the border '* WALTER LE CHAPMAN [Walter the chapman]. 9.75 grams, 26.8 mm



From the late Peter Hooper pewter and lead collection, who was a guest lecturer at West Dean College and was a longtime member of the Pewter Society who contributed to the Pewter Society Magazine.

Because such surnames were still meaningfully ‘occupational’ at this period, and ‘chapman’ means ‘(small-scale) seller/tradesman’, it may well be that Walter made his living from selling gloves.