Medieval Bronze Ring Brooch Group

With central motif of a bird wearing the confessor's stole and holding an aspergillum in one foot, legend to the border '*CONFITEOR TIBI ABSOLVO TE' (I confess to you; I absolve you). 7.59 grams, 29 mm



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

A fox - the penitent - lurks below the confessor, here depicted as a bird (duck?) wearing the confessor’s stole and holding a sprinkler for holy water in one foot. The confessor is about to become the fox’s next meal. This is an important addition to the repertoire of renardine satire – the fox-as-preacher to a congregation of birds (often with a couple already stashed in his hood behind) is a common motif in several media. On seal WILT-41EDE6, for example, he stands (with crozier) preaching to a duck and cockerel, but this is the first example of him coming to confession – with malice aforethought, of course.

Quatrefoil in plan with triangular tab between each lobe, blue and red enamelled design displaying a crowned capital letter R, with trace remains of gilding; mounting lug to reverse. 24.4 grams, 42 mm



Acquired early 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection.

With carved detailing and remains of gesso and paint, hollow to the reverse; slender male merchant in floor-length robe gathered at the waist with a narrow girdle, turned collar and three domed buttons, draped mantle to the left shoulder; bonnet with turned brim and two securing tapes with tassels draped to the shoulders; left hand raised supporting a casket or base for a figure (absent); mounted on an octagonal wooden base. 2.7 kg, 64.5 cm high



Acquired UK art market, 1980s-1990s. Property of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman collector.