Medieval Gilt Copper Mounts of Mary Magdalene and Saint John the Evangelist

A fragment of an inscribed finger ring; flattened rectangle in cross-section, expanding at one end to form the inner edge of a setting for a stone with residue inside; outer face inscribed ‘…RMARIE’ in Lombardic script. 0.76 grams, 19 mm



Found Somersham, Suffolk, UK. Declared as treasure under the Treasure Act with reference no.2020T285 and subsequently disclaimed by the Crown. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SF-E260EB. Accompanied by a copy of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Treasure Act receipt dated 19 February 2020.

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. 3.39 grams, 31 mm



Ex European collection, 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

In 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.

Expanding arms with pellet to each corner, raised decoration to both faces, integral suspension loop above. 4.82 grams, 30 mm



Ex Norri collection, Milton Keynes, UK, 1980s-1990s.