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LOT 1908
Medieval Bronze Seal Matrix with Pair of Birds
14TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 in. (7.66 grams, 30 mm).
Vesica-shaped with a loop on the reverse, two birds flanking a tree at the centre, and the inscription likely reading ‘SIGILLVMS : EERETI’ for 'SIGILLVM SECRETI' (private seal)'.
ProvenanceAcquired on the European art market.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1908
Medieval Bronze Seal Matrix with Pair of Birds
Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 410 (for guidance only)
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Medieval Silver-Gilt Ring Brooch with Garnet Cabochons
Europe, 13th-14th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Annular in form with tapering cells to each end, with inset garnet cabochons, and leaf detailing, quatrefoil opposite the sword-shaped pin. 5.42 grams, 26 mm
Private collection, London, UK. -
Medieval Gilt Copper Mounts of Mary Magdalene and Saint John the Evangelist
Italy, 16th century A.D.Estimate: £180 - 240 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £90
Both saints shown nimbate and dressed in voluminous robes, Mary's long hair cascading down her shoulders and holding an ointment jar in her hands. 74.9 grams total, 57-58 mm
Private collection, UK. -
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Medieval Wooden Bench Finial in the Form of an Elephant and Castle
England, 15th century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
Carved stylised elephant with elongated ears supporting a palanquin in the form of a castle with a carved cross, foliage motif to the reverse; mounted on a velvet-covered stand. 1.31 kg total, 34.2 cm including stand
Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13088-248391.
The image of an elephant carrying warriors in a howdah originated from Alexander the Great's battle against King Porus's war elephants at the Battle of Hydaspes in 326 BC. This motif became widely known in European art through the spread of Bestiaries which were medieval texts combining natural history with moralising Christian stories. One of the most well known was Matthew Paris’s imagined depictions of elephants, most notable in this case is his war elephant illustrated in Chronica maiora II, circa 1240-1255 (Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 016II). Another well known manuscript - The Rochester Bestiary, circa 1230-1240 (British Library, London, Royal MS 12 F.xiii) contains a miniature with a war elephant in the midst of battle, above another image of elephants supposedly in their natural habitat. Since very few live elephants were seen in Europe during the medieval period, their representations were often more imaginative than realistic. Other Medieval bench end carvings of elephants in English churches are known, amongst them are: St Peter and St Paul, Tuttington, Norfolk; St Andrew, South Lopham, Norfolk; St Edmund, South Burlingham, Norfolk; St Andrew, Holme Hale, Norfolk. Elephants can also be found on misericords, some examples can be found at: Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Exeter; Cathedral Church of St Peter, Gloucester; and St Mary's Church, Beverley.
