Medieval and Later Bronze Artefact Group

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.

Heater-shaped with attachment lug above, heraldic design of a cross rayonny recessed to accept enamel. 13.09 grams, 41 mm



From an old English collection formed since 1960.

Formed as a standing dog with short legs and a linear fur design around the neck, socket to the chest, the now absent tail originally forming the bow. 26.2 grams, 39 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.