Medieval Bronze and Silver Artefact Group

An architectural structural element, carved in two pieces: the upper section formed as a tulip with rounded base, the Nativity scene depicted on all sides comprising: the Virgin and Child seated on a throne, surrounded by divine light; the three wise men bearing gifts to her right, the foremost man kneeling next to the throne; behind the wise men a scene depicting Mary resting on a bed with Joseph beside her, the Child in his cradle with a donkey and an ox looking over him bathed in divine light; the last scene representing the meeting between Mary and Saint Elizabeth; the square base with spandrels. 812 grams total, 70-78 mm



Acquired in the early 2000s. Ex Norfolk, UK, collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11782-205862.

The treatment of the faces is similar to various English Romanesque ecclesiastical sculpture; see for example Christ in Majesty in St Andrew's Church in Bugthorpe or a loose corbel from the St Bees Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Bega (Cumbria).

All complete or very near complete and of different types and sizes, including examples with simple geometric ornament. 290 grams total, 3-16.5 cm



Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK.

The slender hoop with slightly expanded shoulders, sub-rectangular bezel engraved with a stylised standing dragon. 2.27 grams, 21.68 mm overall, 19.03 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.