Medieval Bronze Dividers

Of heater shield type, displaying a bird walking left passant regardant; trace remains of enamel; suspension loop above. 6.02 grams, 40 mm



Found UK. Acquired on the UK art market after 2000. Ex Stratford collection, Suffolk, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.WMID-BFE324.

Pendants such as this were suspended from horse harnesses using mounts rivetted to the straps. Harness pendants appear to have come into fashion in the 12th century, growing more numerous in the 13th century. In the second half of the 13th century, heraldic designs on them appeared and by the end of the 14th century, the fashion for such pendants was in decline.

Displaying a regardant griffin advancing left in relief. 13 grams, 39 mm



Acquired from a London antiques shop, 1990s.

The weeping Virgin with her head bowed to the left and hands raised to her chest on a dotted gilt background, an expression of pain on her delicately formed face; wearing a white veil and a black long-sleeved robe, the veil arranged as a headdress and covering her hair; on wood and mounted in a later carved wooden architectural frame. 5.1 kg, 71 cm

Good state of conservation, despite the small damage to the painting visible on the right shoulder of the Virgin.

with Duran Arte y Subastas, 17 September 2015, lot 72. Ex central London gallery. 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 number no.11750-202070.

The painting represents the Virgin Mary Dolorosa or Our Lady of Seven Sorrows: a classic representation of the suffering experienced by the Virgin during the passion of Jesus Christ.