LOT 689

Medieval Gold Jewelled Annular Brooch

(Gold, garnet and sapphire, 6.68 grams, 29.1 mm.).

Circa 13th-14th century AD. A gold annular brooch with segmented ring comprising eight conical cells with hatched bosses between, the cells containing alternating garnets and sapphires set en cabochon; the tongue formed as a carinated tapering bar with transverse block at the base.

Excavated Shepperton near Chertsey in the late 1980's and recorded with the British Museum at that time. Ex Moore collection, ex Richard Lee. Accompanied by provenance documentation.

See Egan, G. & Pritchard, F. Dress Accessories 1150-1450. p.248-255.

Annular brooches were a common medieval form of dress fastening, but most surviving examples are cast in copper alloy or pewter. The present brooch is extremely unusual in the richness of its design and workmanship.