Medieval Glazed Ceramic Tile With a Dancing Figure

Both with a pierced rectangular bit and annular bow. 4 grams total, 38-40 mm



Found Cambridgeshire, UK.

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. 6.3 grams, 39 mm



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

With a thick rectangular-section blade, curved edge and D-shaped section socket with elongated slender neck. 1 kg, 22 cm



Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.

A number of axes of this type have been found in Western Central Europe and the Baltic countries. They were mostly found in the second half of 13th century and 15th century A.D. contexts, but ichnographically attest that they were still in use in the 16th century A.D.