Medieval Bronze Candlestick on Ornate Tripod Base

Comprising five large signet rings, each with a crowned letter on the bezel including R, O, W. 40.1 grams total, 24-27 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

The frame circular in plan with a sub-triangular cross-section and convex outer edge, flat reverse; a pair of decorative transverse grooves flanking the pin constriction, recess for the pin-rest; pin coiled around the shank, D-shaped in section and with a rounded point, decorated with three transverse grooves to the obverse. 2.72 grams, 21 mm



Found near Lewes, East Sussex, UK; declared as potential Treasure under the Treasure Act with Treasure reference no.2025T785, subsiquently disclaimed and returned to the finder. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SUSS-2465B3.

Annular brooches were used to fasten garments, growing in popularity during the 13th and 14th centuries and continuing into the Post Medieval period. See Egan and Pritchard (2002, pg. 248-255) for examples recovered from Medieval contexts in London. A broadly similar medieval example that has been submitted through the treasure process includes: 2007T343 (SUSS-BC4C47). However, the form is decoratively similar to some early Post Medieval examples such as DOR-3A57FD (2022T442) and GLO-3C6A1A (2022T439), of 16th century date, but on these examples the reverse of the frame is bevelled not flat. Based on the above examples a broad 13th to 17th century date is suggested.

Irregular window fragment with male head, female bust and woodland setting, mounted in lead cames. 215 grams, 17 cm



De Baecque Vente aux Encheres, 5 March 2022, no.51 (Part).