Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1745
Medieval Bronze 'You Have a Loyal/Faithful Love' Seal Matrix Head
CIRCA 1300-1400 A.D.
1 5/8 in. (5.28 grams, 17 mm).
Circular die with a central four-leaved plant paris quadrifolia, surrounded by a French inscription reading: '*LEL AMI AVET' for 'you have a loyal (or faithful) love'. [No Reserve]
Provenance
Found Fairstead, Braintree, Essex, UK.
Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.ESS-F0F3AA.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Literature
See Jones, M., The Secret Middle Ages, Cheltenham, 2025, 24-5, 313-4, for further discussion.
Footnotes
Dr Malcolm Jones notes: 'This common device and associated inscription need to be understood in the context of the imagery and conventions of amour courtois/Courtly Love. Certainly, ami literally means ‘friend’, but in this context it means ‘love, lover, beloved’ – so the legend means “you have a loyal/faithful love”. Furthermore this quatrefoil is no ordinary stylised flower. In medieval English the four-leaved plant paris quadrifolia was known as the truelove. Two 15th-century English wills include the bequest of rings in the shape of a truelove: an anulum argenti operatum cum uno trewlove (silver ring fashioned with a truelove) in 1407, and unum anulum argenti et deauratum cum uno trew lofe (a silver and silver-gilt ring with a truelove) in 1464.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 1745
Medieval Bronze 'You Have a Loyal/Faithful Love' Seal Matrix Head
Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
RELATED LOTS
-
Medieval Silver-Gilt Iconographic Ring with Saints
15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
The lower shank with twisted ropework detailing and beaded bands, the shoulders with raised median beaded bands developing to a horizontal ridge flanked by flowers dividing the bezel into two panels, each with a reserved standing figure: each a female saint in floor-length robe; Virgin Mary on the left panel holding an infant and St Barbara carrying a miniature tower, her attribute. 4.86 grams, 23.55 mm overall, 18.78 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
Ex Thomas collection, UK, 1960s-1980s. Property of a Cambrigeshire, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Medieval Bronze Artefact Collection
14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising: an apostle finial; a quatrefoil horse harness pendant with lion passant guardant on a square field with fleur-de-lys to each side; a section of an inscribed purse bar reading 'AVE MARIA' to one side and 'IE[S]VMX to the other, two loops above; a section of a purse bar with cross-hatched design. 88 grams total including document, 35-68 mm
Found Yorkshire, UK. From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s. Three objects with record sheets by Jim Halliday. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Medieval Bifacial Illuminated Book of Hours Vellum Manuscript Page
Flemish, 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £936
Latin text 'letter Batarde' script with liquid gold to the versals, panel of flowers and tendrils; in card reveal. 92 grams total, 25.5 x 20.5 cm
From the private collection of Mrs T Hedwig; thence by descent, 2000s. Accompanied by a copy of a Belgian export licence no.006952, Brussels. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
