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LOT 1671
Medieval and Later Bronze Thimble Collection
15TH-19TH CENTURY A.D.
1/2 - 1 in. (74 grams total, 12-27 mm).
Including annular, beehive and other types with irregular dimples. [15, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound Cambridgeshire, 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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Medieval Iron Dagger Blade with Lower Guard
12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
With a lozenge-section double-edged blade and short tang; lower-guard with vertical line decoration. 97 grams, 22.5 cm
UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
Medieval Initial 'N' Tempera on Parchment from a Choir Book
Italy, 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Vellum manuscript (psalter) section with versal 'N' in red with blue inked foliage and scrolls surrounding. 0.8 grams, 82 x 45 mm
Private collection, USA, formed in the 1980s. -
'The Drayton' Medieval Gold Ring with Magical Inscription
1200-1300 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
The bezel developing to a low pyramid with lateral facets, surmounted by an inset cabochon sapphire set within an irregular cell; a quatrefoil plaque to each shoulder, and three more regularly placed around the shank; carinated hoop with magical Lombardic script '+NI ONAN NRIO ONIC / NIAI AINO ANIOI NAN'. 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. Alternatively, since the text is composed from repeated sequences 'NI', 'AI', etc. based on an open syllabic structure, the words may be intended as a chant or magical charm. 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.
