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LOT 0403
Medieval Gold Dragon Ring Brooch with Inscription
CIRCA 14TH CENTURY A.D.
3/8 in. (1.13 grams, 11 mm).
Annular type with serpent or dragon modelled in the lower segment and legend in Lombardic capitals 'AMIE GEI' with the second word abbreviated for 'GEINT(E)'.
ProvenanceFrom a UK private collection since the 1970s.
LiteratureCf. Egan, G. & Pritchard, F., Dress Accessories 1150-1450, London, 2002, items 1308, 1313, 1317, for type.
Footnotes'Amie geint(e)' means ‘beautiful lover (fem.)’, or ‘noble lover’ (gei as a spelling for gai, which, if permissible, would yield an unabbreviated inscription meaning ‘happy/cheerful beloved’, has not been noted – there are no spellings with -e- recorded).
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