Medieval Iron Axehead

Parcel-gilt plaque from a coffre, with openwork foliage border, central disc with raised heater shield flanked by reserved scrolled tendrils; shield with red border and field of diagonal stripes; Limoges workmanship; blazoned 'bendy of seven azure an or within a bordure gules', the arms of the house of Burgundy. 75 grams, 99 mm



Private collection, Paris, France. with Pierre-Richard Royer, 2006. Ex private collection, Suffolk, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12148-217468.

Rectangular block with high-relief carving to the upper face, comprising two fishes placed side-by-side, one with heavy scale detailing, the other with a bifurcated tail; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 24 kg total, 51 cm wide including stand



Discovered in part of a stone garden wall during demolition. Ex Stamford deceased estate, Lincolnshire, UK. Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.

The carving style bears similarities to the low-relief carvings on Pictish picture stones, although a close match for the subject matter is absent. A stone recorded at Dunnicaer, Scotland, is carved with a fish symbol but its execution is very sparse and linear in comparison with the heavy detailing of the present piece. See Noble, G., The Problem with the Picts, in Current Archaeology, issue 134, June 2020.

Comprising: a fitting modelled as a duck taking off; a cross bottony appliqué or badge; harness pendant with w-relief arms overlain a label marking the owner as the eldest son. 24.9 grams total, 35-58 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Yorkshire, UK.