Medieval Iron Blade Group

With slender gold hoop, drum-shaped bezel with granulation to the outer face, inset garnet cabochon. 0.89 grams, 17.87 mm overall, 16.25 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

Comprising bells of various shapes and sizes, most retaining their suspension loop and clapper and producing a range of sounds. 1 kg total, 5-13 cm



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

Like the bell found in Oxfordshire, these bells are quadrangular with sloping sides to a narrow rounded top, furnished of a hanging ring. While these bells are similar in overall shape to Roman and Middle Saxon examples, a post medieval date is perhaps more likely.

An architectural structural element, carved in two pieces: the upper section formed as a tulip with rounded base, the Nativity scene depicted on all sides comprising: the Virgin and Child seated on a throne, surrounded by divine light; the three wise men bearing gifts to her right, the foremost man kneeling next to the throne; behind the wise men a scene depicting Mary resting on a bed with Joseph beside her, the Child in his cradle with a donkey and an ox looking over him bathed in divine light; the last scene representing the meeting between Mary and Saint Elizabeth; the square base with spandrels. 812 grams total, 70-78 mm



Acquired in the early 2000s. Ex Norfolk, UK, 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.11782-205862.

The treatment of the faces is similar to various English Romanesque ecclesiastical sculpture; see for example Christ in Majesty in St Andrew's Church in Bugthorpe or a loose corbel from the St Bees Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Bega (Cumbria).