Medieval Bronze Dagger Chape Group

Lozenge-shaped pendant with barry of ten and four martlets. 8.54 grams, 37 mm



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

Pillar capital for an architectural column or pier decorated with dense vegetation motifs, tapering swags or garlands; reef-knot motif and leaves above; unworked to the reverse. 74 kg total, 51.5 cm high including stand



Ex French collection. Holz Artles, 25 April 2015, no.83. Private collection, Kensington, London. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13383-259007.

This finely carved capital belongs to a group of Romanesque capitals known as knotwork capitals, widespread in the South of France and North of Spain, where the influence of the architecture of the old Visigothic Kingdom was still strong. These capitals probably originate in one of the most famous sculpture workshops of Romanesque France. The base of the capital is topped by a row of abstractly sculpted acanthus leaves. The dominant section of the capital is decorated with stylised knotwork, composed of ornament that entwine and end in folded acanthus leaves. In between the entwined branches, there is more foliage forming the ‘head of a monster’ which playfully animates the sculpture.

Carved in the round with low pricked ears and hatched mane to the rear of the head, broad nose developing between domed lentoid eyes, broad upper lip, open mouth displaying teeth; repaired. 610 grams, 94 mm



with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s. Private collection, London, UK.