Medieval and Later Lead Artefact Group

Central panel decorated with a heart pierced by two arrows and inscription: 'qui de bon [COER] eyme', and verso openwork carving of blind interlaces and inscription: 'de bon [COER] donne', translating to 'He who loves from the heart, gives with a good heart'; probably given as a love token. 58 grams, 15 cm



Private collection, USA. Private collection, Suffolk. Accompanied by a copy of an illustrated catalogue document.

Medieval specialist Dr Malcolm Jones writes: 'The same formula and use of the rebus heart-device can be found engraved on contemporary jewellery, e.g. on a 14th/15thC English gold ring recently on the French antique jewellery market which is inscribed in Black Letter script, ie. uous eme bien [I love you very much - de bon ♥ - from a good heart]. The familiar heart-symbol ♥ -- which nowadays we ‘read’ as love [I ♥ New York] -- makes its first appearance as a rebus in this late medieval era, engraved on rings, where it is to be read as the noun, coer/cuer, etc. One of its earliest appearances is on a bronze ring of 13th or 14thC date in the British Museum inscribed in Lombardic capitals: A VILA MON ♥ [Here is my heart GARDI LI MO[Y] keep it for me].

One with cross pommee and suspension loop above; one a quatrefoil cross pendant within suspended frame and fleur-de-lys inner with central knop, traces of gilding. 10.53 grams total, 25-54 mm



Found near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK. Acquired on the UK art market in 2012. Ex property of a Kent lady collector.

In the form of a church building with one cross remaining to roof, raised hatching to reverse and Virgin and Child figural scene to the other; three remaining attachment loops. 4.86 grams, 34 mm



European collection, 1990s. Ex property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.