Medieval and Later Bronze Thimble Group

Modelled with a threatening expression, his half-open mouth visibly contracted into an evil grin with exposed teeth, short beard to the chin and wavy locks of hair resting on the forehead with two small horns, large goat horns framing the face on both sides; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 8.4 kg total, 30.5 cm high including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market. Property of a West Midlands, UK, private collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

From the Romanesque era onwards, images of demons, often carved on the external sides of cathedrals and churches, were strongly linked to the fantastical and monstrous creatures of ancient myth and legend. For theologians, supernatural creatures which could not otherwise be explained were not of God and therefore had to be demonic: their incorporation in the ecclesiastic structures showed that their malevolent powers could be kept under control only through the protection of the church. This origin of Christian demons is likely to have influenced the visual representation in medieval culture as hybrid and monstrous, especially given the increased interest in Greek works from the twelfth century onwards in the West.

Openwork design with figural detailing in three registers comprising: upper: lancet arch with crouching figure holding a sword; standing female with infant; fragment of figure; standing robed nimbate figure; fragment of building frame with figure; middle: crouching figure (shepherd) looking towards seated female with infant (Mary) beneath star, and three advancing figures with arms raised (Magi); lower: galley with three oars, mast and sail, various figures partly visible above the gunwale and seated figure in stern. 13.78 grams, 85 mm



Ex European collection, 1990s. Property of a Cambrigeshire, UK, gentleman. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Ursula was a Romano-British martyr of ​possible royal origin. She is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion.

Lozenge-shaped with suspension loop above, the upper face with a raised motif of a butterfly with outstretched wings. 7.2 grams, 40 mm



Found Great and Little Leighs, Chelmsford, Essex, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.ESS-8EF95E. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The butterfly has been linked to Audley family who owned land in Essex.