Medieval Articulated Silver Dress Hook

The first a circular badge of St John the Baptist, his severed head depicted on the circular plate with small loop for attachment at the top, inscription reading 'SIGNVM S’ IOhIS BABTIS' with a horizontal stroke to the 'h' so that it doesbles as a cross; a small badge of the Archangel Michael, shown fully armored and holding a sword above his head having bested Satan in personal combat; the final badge in the form of a dolphin, a secular piece likely worn by a follower of the French Dauphiné Charles V. 10.5 grams total, 24-38 mm



Former Forgeais (1822-1878) collection, France, thence by family descent. Arthur Forgeais was a noted 19th-century French archaeologist. Born in 1822 in the city of Paris, Forgeais held a special interest and specialism in the medieval history of his home city. When, in the mid-19th century, the Seine was dredged during Haussmann's renovation of the city, the scholar worked to recover a great number of archaeological remains from the silts of the river. He subsequently published his findings in the five-volume title Collection of Historiated Leaves Found in the Seine and Collected by Arthur Forgeais (published 1862-1866). The present collection of pewter pilgrim badges, all French in origin, is likely to have been recovered at this time.

Comprising three annular brooches: one with a raised wreath decoration; one with parallel notches; one with six raised cells, four with blue and white glass inserts. 9.03 grams total, 16-28 mm



From the private collection of Graham Slater (1927-2024), Cambridge, UK; formed 1980s-1990s.

Thick D-section hoop with integral disc bezel, incuse eight-armed cross dividing the field, central pellet. 7.95 grams, 19.81 mm overall, 11.69 mm internal diameter



Found Swineshead, Lincolnshire, UK. Recorded with UKDFD no.53303.