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LOT 1761
Medieval Dutch Pewter Holy Blood Of Wilsnack Pilgrim's Badge
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (3.39 grams, 31 mm).
Trilobate in plan with openwork triangle between three roundels with hatched fields, the upper two surmounted by crosses, depicting scenes from Christ's life: the crucifixion, resurrection and Christ at the Column in relief. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx European collection, 1990s.
Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
Cf. Van Beuningen, H.J.E., Heilig En Profaan: 1000 Laat-Middeleleeuwse Insignes, Rotterdam Papers VIII, A Contribution to Medieval Archaeology, Netherlands, 1993, p.145, for type.
FootnotesIn 1383 AD, after fire in the town of Bad Wilsnack, Germany) three consecrated communion hosts were found undamaged in the ruins of the church. According to the legend, they were sprinkled with the Holy Blood of Christ, which made Bad Wilsnack a famous pilgrimage site. The resultant pilgrim badges were distinctive in shape with three circles arranged in a triangle and painted in red, referring to this miracle. Although the miracle was doubted by Reformation period scholars like John Hus, the final blow came in 1552, when the miraculous communion hosts were publicly burned.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1761
Medieval Dutch Pewter Holy Blood Of Wilsnack Pilgrim's Badge
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
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Medieval Lead Pilgrim's Badge with Saint Paul
Circa 14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Fragment with portion of a beaded border, profile bust and raised hand holding a sword, 'SPA' legend above. 2.36 grams, 24 mm
From a private Merseyside, UK, collection; formed since circa 2000. -
Medieval Gold Tooth-Shaped Pendant
15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Amuletic pendant of a four-rooted tooth, bulb finial and loop. 0.22 grams, 9 mm
From the collection of a late Japanese gentleman, 1970s onwards. -
Medieval Gold Ring Brooch with Garnets and 'Let us Live as One Soul’ Posy Inscription
13th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,020
An annular brooch with pelletted edges, six garnet cabochons adorning the brooch, each in a tall closed setting; inscribed on the front 'VIVAMTINVNOANI', the reverse inscribed with 'AMORIVNTVANVNTVI' divided between two palmettes. 8.76 grams, 38 mm
Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12989-245987.
Both inscriptions can be interpreted differently according to the order of their reading; the front can be read ‘IN JUNO ANI VIVAM TI’, which roughly translates as ‘May I live for you in the fastening’, alternatively ‘VIVAM[vs] IN VNO ANI[mo]’ which roughly translates as ‘Let us live as one soul’. The back reads: 'AMORIVNTVANVNTVI' ‘AMOR[is] IVN[c]T[i] ANVNTIV[s]’ which roughly translates as ‘a message of joint love’. The inscriptions on the brooch serve as metaphors, linking its function of fastening materials to the binding of lovers in medieval romance. Gift-giving was central to courtly love, and the brooch symbolised both affection and protection, reminding the wearer of the giver’s love while also warding off unwanted advances.
