Medieval and Other Artefact Collection

A gold posy ring composed of a waisted band with pearled and raised upper and lower borders, each decorated with a circumferential ring of pellets, the central section engraved with a blackletter French inscription: 'nul ce bien' ('none so well'), each word separated by sunbursts and flowers; plain interior. 1.83 grams, 18.11 mm overall, 16.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Kevin Ford on 25th January 2020 in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Report (PAS) number OXON-FF9F8E. Accompanied by a letter to HM Coroner for Oxfordshire from the Treasure Registrar at the British Museum disclaiming the Crown's interest in the ring with treasure reference number 2020 T76. Accompanied by a letter from the finder detailing the circumstances of the find. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11657-196665.

French Gothic blackletter inscriptions on finger rings were associated with the culture of chivalry and courtly love; a historic example of gifts and tokens as expressions of love. Some scholars note that black letter inscriptions are prevalent on love rings between the 13th-15th centuries. Although such rings could be both English and French in origin, it is believed that most were English, with French inscriptions. Note that the PAS offers a different interpretation of the inscription on this ring.

A large carved pale ochre limestone font in three sections comprising: a discoid stepped base, plain columnar shaft, and barrel-shaped bowl with incised circumferential rings to the outer face; available to view at our Harwich head office only. 299 kg total, 95 cm

Fine condition.

From Sussex, UK. Private collection formed in the 1960s. Oswestry, Shropshire, UK, collection. Ex Howell collection. Accompanied by an off-print: McClain, Aleksandra Baptism and Burial in Stone: Materializing Pastoral Care in Anglo-Norman England, Volume 7, 2018, p.10, fig.4, where it shows a very similar example of 12th century in date from Ellerburn Church. Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00156424. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11412-193070.

A silver finger ring with tiered ribbing to the shoulders, gussetted panel beneath the bezel, stepped trumpet-shaped plaque with incuse design of 'PHS' above a merchant's mark between stars; European workshop. 16.11 grams, 29.84 mm overall, 21.96 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W 1/2, USA 11 1/4, Europe 25.66, Japan 24)



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.