Medieval and Later Artefacts and Coins

Group of two buckle loops, one beast-head detailing to the upper face, the other in openwork with two beasts flanking a shield. 9.55 grams total, 21-27 mm



Found Norfolk, UK.

Niello plaque depicting the marriage ceremony between Mary and Joseph, set in a gilt brass mount with a rope twist border, four loops for attachment. 10.8 grams, 46 mm



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the Belgian art market.

Niello is a black mixture, usually of sulphur, copper, silver and lead. It is used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal, especially silver. It is added as a powder or paste, then fired until it melts or at least softens and flows or is pushed into the engraved lines in the metal. Men began wearing hat ornaments on their caps from the late fifteenth century, which could be either purely decorative or symbolic. Symbolic examples are traditionally known as enseignes, as they conveyed the wearer’s personal intent or a visible message. These jewels trace their origins to the medieval pilgrim badge, usually mass-produced in base metal. It is believed that this fashion shift to a stylish male accessory began when French king Charles VIII entered Naples in February 1495, wearing a gold circular jewel on his cap, while his men had similar, though not gold, jewels on their caps or sleeves. Italians quickly adopted this trend, which then spread to most European courts. However, this fashion declined in the late sixteenth to early seventeenth century, giving way to the popularity of aigrettes.

Comprising: discoid plate with two concentric pelleted bands and central cell with claw setting, glass insert, attached to backplate by four shot bars; hinge below connected to an openwork teardrop pendant with profile image of a horseman advancing on a chevron baseline, his upper bdy turned to face the viewer, holding a large axe braced against his hip; hinge below connected to a bulb dangle with corrugated detailing. 29 grams, 10.2 cm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13147-248006.