Medieval and Later Bronze Buckle Collection

An architectural structural element, carved in two pieces: the upper section formed as a tulip with rounded base, the Nativity scene depicted on all sides comprising: the Virgin and Child seated on a throne, surrounded by divine light; the three wise men bearing gifts to her right, the foremost man kneeling next to the throne; behind the wise men a scene depicting Mary resting on a bed with Joseph beside her, the Child in his cradle with a donkey and an ox looking over him bathed in divine light; the last scene representing the meeting between Mary and Saint Elizabeth; the square base with spandrels. 812 grams total, 70-78 mm



Acquired in the early 2000s. Ex Norfolk, UK, collection. 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 no.11782-205862.

The treatment of the faces is similar to various English Romanesque ecclesiastical sculpture; see for example Christ in Majesty in St Andrew's Church in Bugthorpe or a loose corbel from the St Bees Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Bega (Cumbria).

Rectangular in plan with suspension loop to top edge, raised central quatrefoil within a lozenge, single arm radiating into each corner, punched annulets to the field with remains of gilding; central piercing. 5.55 grams, 37 mm



Acquired UK market, 1990s. Property of a retired academic.

Triangular bodied with decoratively notched edges, bulbs to each corner and forming central stylised floral motif, three openwork fixing circles to the side edges, integral hook with rectangular loop to lower edge. 2.9 grams, 24 mm



Acquired on the UK market, 1990s. Property of a retired academic.