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LOT 1648
Medieval Bronze Knight's Holy Sepulchre Badge
CIRCA 13TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 in. (2.29 grams, 28 mm).
Formed as a cross-crosslet, the symbol of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, with punched-point border. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound whilst searching with a metal detector on a medieval site in Wiltshire in the mid 1980s.
LiteratureCf. Mitchiner, M., Medieval Pilgrim & Secular Badges, London, 1986, items 939-41.
FootnotesThe 'Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem' was an order of knighthood under the protection of the Pope, formed around 1099 AD by Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, the leader of the First Crusade. It was established for the protection of pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land and was recognised by a Papal Bull in about 1113 AD.
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Medieval Bronze Lead-Filled Steelyard Weight
Circa 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Spherical in profile with integral loop, circumferential bands and raised collar to equator. 735 grams, 60 mm
Ex Simmons gallery, 1990s. From a North London, UK, collection. -
'The Witham on the Hill' Medieval Gold 'The Beautiful Game' Posy Ring with Matched Pairs of Flowers
Circa 1400-1500 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
Flat-section straightened hoop with incised blackletter text 'le belle ie[u]' translating to 'the beautiful game' with interposed flowers and stalks. 1.68 grams, 16.92 mm overall, 15.39 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)
Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Witham on the Hill, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire, UK, on Sunday 9th January 2022, by Mark Bowen. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.CAM-D675E8. Accompanied by a copy of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Treasure receipt and and disclaimed with Treasure case tracking no.2022T153. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12139-214843.
The final word of the inscription is ie for ie[u], an Anglo-Norman spelling of modern French jeu ‘game’. The game in question is, of course, love (not football!). The ‘game’ of love here is what we now refer to as Courtly Love (amour courtois, fin amor) and the phrase ‘beautiful game’ is also found on another ring recorded on the PAS database as YORYM-0A0FD2, the whole, a rhyming couplet, reading AMIE EN VV/ [E]ST MA VIE BELE GIEV [Beloved, in you my life is a beautiful game]. -
Medieval Gilt Bronze Knight's Heraldic Horse Harness Pendant
1300-1500 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Quatrefoil in plan with triangular tab between each pair of lobes, blue and red enamelled design displaying a lion passant, with trace remains of gilding; mounting lug above. 15.1 grams, 41 mm
Found North Yorkshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SWYOR-1013E4.
