Medieval Glazed Ceramic Tile with Three Crowned Lions within Heraldic Shield

With wooden core to which the embossed sheets have been attached; the obverse with a central nimbate Corpus Christi, an applied rosette above and to the left arm; an angel to the finial of the upper and lower arm with Mary and St John the Evangelist to the side arms; the reverse with a central figure of Jesus holding the Gospel and making the sign of blessing; each finial of the arm with the symbols of the Evangelists (eagle, angel, lion and ox); the cross resting on a floral sphere with a socket below. 920 grams, 52.5 cm

Some damage and repair.

with Adolphe Goumaz, Pully, Switzerland. Ex private collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11804-206500.

The metal sheets of the cross seem to be 15th century A.D. North Italian work. The four Evangelists are depicted with a human face at the front of the cross, and in animal forms at the reverse.

Comprising bits of various types and sizes, including articulate elements. 2.85 kg total, 21-32.5 cm



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

This kind of iron snaffle bits were commonly used in late Medieval or Renaissance period. The mouth piece was made in two linked sections, to which big rings were attached at the extremities. Reins and bridles were both fastened to the rings.

The flat-section hoop supporting a sub-rectangular bezel displaying Arabic script over two lines and inlaid with black enamel. 4.02 grams, 20.80 mm overall, 17.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



Ex private collection of K.G.; previously formed in the 1980s. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance. Accompanied by a previous dealer's certificate of authenticity.