Medieval Bronze Seal Matrix with Standing Figures

Carved naturalistically in the round as a mature male figure with short wavy hair, full beard and moustache, his brow furrowed and mouth held slightly ajar; repaired. 3.8 kg, 18 cm



Acquired in Europe before 1996. 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 no.11809-206816.

The head was carved as an image of a saint, Apostle or a prophet. The accomplished and sophisticated style of carving on this head can be compared to some of the most celebrated Romanesque buildings of Southern France. The carving of the head resembles the representations of heads and faces of 12th century French Romanesque art, for example those of Saint Trophime in Arles. This imposing head once served as an important architectural part of a lavishly decorated church, possibly in western France. Its form and the size suggest that the head was not only decorative but that it would have been structurally important – perhaps part of a row of statues of apostles and prophet like those depicted on the Saint Trophime façade.

Including a jar with scalloped foot, a piriform juglet, footed pot with handle, small jar with remaining handle, likely bird water feeder and a stamped tripod dish; most glazed; most chipped or cracked. 3.3 kg total, 10-18 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

The salt-glazed stoneware jugs, like some of the specimens here presented, had a distinctive pitted ‘orange-skin’ surface. These tall jugs often have grooves around their bodies to support them during the high-temperature firing which was necessary to achieve the hard fabric. First imported into Britain in the early 14th century stone wares became common in the 16th and 17th centuries. Most came from production centres in the Rhineland, notably Cologne, Frechen, Langerwehe, Raeren and Westerwald.

The figure carved wearing a hooded cowl, face face with furrowed brow, hooded eyes, sunken cheeks and down-turned mouth; remains of moulded springer to the top and rear of the head; chipped; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 3.8 kg, 28 cm including stand



Ex Simmons Gallery, London E11, UK. Ex London collection, 1980s-1990s.