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LOT 1640
Medieval and Later Bronze Key Collection
15TH-18TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 - 4 1/2 in. (82 grams total, 3-11.6 cm).
Mixed group including casket keys and a large door key with warded bit and balustered shank. [6, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound near York, UK.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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'The Drayton' Medieval Gold Stirrup-Shaped Bishop's Ring with Sapphire and Magical Inscription
1200-1300 A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,778
The bezel expanding into a low flat topped triangle with facetted corners surmounted by a cabochon sapphire set within an asymmetrical hexagonal cell; expanded quatrefoils flanking the base of the bezel leading on to the angled hoop with a central ridge running around its circumference; three further quatrefoil panels evenly spaced around the band- one on both sides and the third at the base of the hoop; the bevelled sides of the hoop engraved with the inscription '+NI ONAN NRIO ONIC / NIAI AINO ANIOI NAN', which may not be meaningful, but these groups of letters may have been felt to be 'magical'. 3.95 grams, 25.72 mm overall, 19.75 x 18.44 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Drayton, Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire, UK, on Sunday 16th September 2018 by Chris Weir. Declared as treasure under the Treasure Act with reference no.2018T853, subsequently disclaimed and returned to the finder. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.GLO-0BFB91. Accompanied by a letter from the finder describing the circumstances of finding. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12118-214086.
Many late medieval rings and brooches bear similarly meaningless inscriptions, perhaps due to the illiteracy of the engraver who nevertheless was aware that customers required an inscription, so provided one. For discussion of such inscriptions see Evans, J., Magical Jewels of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Oxford, 1922, pp.121-132, for inscribed jewels. -
Medieval Stained Glass Panel with Crucifixion Scene
Circa 1550 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Unframed roundel with black and silver-stained scene of the Crucifixion with red and yellow detailing; cracked. 300 grams, 25.7 cm
with De Baecque Encheres, 5 March 2022, no.43. -
Medieval Bifolium from a Dismembered Psalter
England, circa 1340 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
Vellum 'two-page spread' with stitching holes flanking the central column; left page with dense bastarda script in black ink with green and red versals and ornament; right page with large initial majuscule 'D' and floral panels extending across the upper edge of the text and down the left margin, the bow of the 'D' filled with dense leaf, tendril and floral detailing, text of Psalm 110. 2.65 kg, 60 x 45 cm
with Sotheby's, London, 7 December 1999, no.9.
