Medieval Bronze Ribbed Lidded Vessel

Central panel decorated with a heart pierced by two arrows and inscription: 'qui de bon [COER] eyme', and verso openwork carving of blind interlaces and inscription: 'de bon [COER] donne', translating to 'He who loves from the heart, gives with a good heart'; probably given as a love token. 58 grams, 15 cm



Private collection, USA. Private collection, Suffolk. Accompanied by a copy of an illustrated catalogue document.

Medieval specialist Dr Malcolm Jones writes: 'The same formula and use of the rebus heart-device can be found engraved on contemporary jewellery, e.g. on a 14th/15thC English gold ring recently on the French antique jewellery market which is inscribed in Black Letter script, ie. uous eme bien [I love you very much - de bon ♥ - from a good heart]. The familiar heart-symbol ♥ -- which nowadays we ‘read’ as love [I ♥ New York] -- makes its first appearance as a rebus in this late medieval era, engraved on rings, where it is to be read as the noun, coer/cuer, etc. One of its earliest appearances is on a bronze ring of 13th or 14thC date in the British Museum inscribed in Lombardic capitals: A VILA MON ♥ [Here is my heart GARDI LI MO[Y] keep it for me].

Carved with flat topped and rolled rim, tiered acanthus leaf detailing with vertical fluting. 41 kg, 42 cm wide



with Gros & Delettrez, 8 December 2006, no.23.

Including beehive type, child's size and others. 46 grams total, 10-21 mm



Acquired since the 1970s. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.