Medieval and Other Artefact Group

A finely written bifacial leaf illuminated in red and blue; two columns of densely written Latin text in blackletter script to both sides, two two-line initials in royal blue with red detailing with further detailing to both sides. 2.2 grams, 19.5 x 14 cm



UK art market, 2000s. Ex London, UK, collection.

Group of four quatrefoil plaques, each with a hole to the end of each arm for attachment and detailed enamelled image of an evangelist's emblem (man, lion, eagle, calf) on a deep blue field. 26 grams total, 48-50 mm



with Galerie Charles Ratton, 2021. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12058-217470.

From the 4th century A.D., the vision of Ezekiel and John's Apocalypse, assigned the lion, the angel, the eagle, and the ox a place in the iconography of the Tetramorph to represent the four evangelists. Therefore, during the Middles Ages and until today, the evangelists' emblems are: Matthew represented by an angel, Mark by a lion, Luke by a calf and John by an eagle. Strangely, in this set the image of an angel holding a scroll bears the inscription 'Marcus' (St Mark). These quatrefoils were usually decorating caskets keeping relics of saints, holy books or crosses.

Including annular, beehive and other types. 50 grams total, 13-20 mm



Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK, circa 1984. Property of an Essex collector.