Medieval Bronze Shrine Head

Mixed group of mainly bronze buckles, buckle plates and buckle loops, some with mounting tags. 161 grams total, 13-42 mm



Found near York, UK.

Of various types including rectangular holes, ellipsoid holes with countersinking, one with lobed outer edge. 1.2 kg total, 10.2-12.4 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Inner wooden casket with chamfered rim and separate lid, encased within rectangular gilt-bronze panels with enamel decoration, four gilt-bronze stud feet to the underside; the lid with three nimbate figures, a female saint with palm frond and two flanking figures holding books, all reserved on a blue field with interstitial polychrome rosettes; Side A: nimbate bearded bust of Christ in Majesty with right hand in gesture of benison, left hand supporting a book, flanked by two winged nimbate angels; Side B: nimbate bust of a winged angel in a roundel; Side C: geometric repeating pattern of lozenges with floral fill; Side D: mirror image of Side B. 760 grams, 14.5 cm



John Pierpont Morgan, New York, and London, until 1917. Private collection, Suffolk. Accompanied by a copy of a previous four page illustrated cataloguing document with references. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12039-212154.

The two end-panels are believed to have been added at a later date than the longer panels and may have been trimmed slightly along the lower edges. The panels are attached with domed pins of various types.