Medieval Gold Garnet Set Pendant

A silver seal matrix, discoid with remains of a loop(?) to the reverse; central incuse fleur-de-lys motif with radiating bars to the shoulders; border with incuse Lombardic script legend '+ SIGILLVM : SECRETI' (for seal of a secret). 2.2 grams, 17 mm



The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s. with Lockdales, Ipswich, 23 March 2003, lot 533. Matrix Collection catalogue no.3949. Many of the seals within the collection were published in a book titled 'The Matrix Collection', by David Morris in 2012. Accompanied by a copy of the illustrated collection notes. Accompanied by a copy of the Lockdales invoice.

A silver chessman-type seal matrix with pierced trefoil head and knop above; central motif of a leopard statant gardant before a tree, pelletted border and blackletter legend '* sigillum [lozenge] steffani [cinquefoil cinquefoil] ale [cinquefoil lozenge] lane' (for 'seal of Stephen [at?] ale lane'). 20.5 grams, 36 mm



The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s. Ex Brand Inglis of Motcomb Street, London, UK, in 1988. Matrix Collection catalogue no.8. Many of the seals within the collection were published in a book titled 'The Matrix Collection', by David Morris in 2012. Accompanied by a copy of the illustrated collection notes. Accompanied by an original invoice from Brand Inglis to David Morris dated 29th November 1988. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11653-198740.

A gold posy ring composed of a waisted band with pearled and raised upper and lower borders, each decorated with a circumferential ring of pellets, the central section engraved with a blackletter French inscription: 'nul ce bien' ('none so well'), each word separated by sunbursts and flowers; plain interior. 1.83 grams, 18.11 mm overall, 16.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Kevin Ford on 25th January 2020 in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Report (PAS) number OXON-FF9F8E. Accompanied by a letter to HM Coroner for Oxfordshire from the Treasure Registrar at the British Museum disclaiming the Crown's interest in the ring with treasure reference number 2020 T76. Accompanied by a letter from the finder detailing the circumstances of the find. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11657-196665.

French Gothic blackletter inscriptions on finger rings were associated with the culture of chivalry and courtly love; a historic example of gifts and tokens as expressions of love. Some scholars note that black letter inscriptions are prevalent on love rings between the 13th-15th centuries. Although such rings could be both English and French in origin, it is believed that most were English, with French inscriptions. Note that the PAS offers a different interpretation of the inscription on this ring.