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LOT 1681
Medieval Iron Cleaver Group
15TH-17TH CENTURY A.D.
9 3/4 - 18 in. (8 kg total, 25-48 cm).
Comprising hook-ended examples together with one square-ended example. [14]
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. Seetah, K. ‘The Middle Ages on the block: animals, Guilds and meat in the medieval period’ in Pluskowski Breaking and Shaping Beastly Bodies, animals as material culture in the Middle Ages Oxford, 2007, fig.3.6 (images of Medieval cleaver from the Luttrell Psalter).
FootnotesDuring the Roman period chopping tools such as cleavers were predominantly used whilst during the medieval period knives and cleavers were the preferred tools for butchering carcasses. Cleavers were also often depicted in medieval art as having riveted handles. Such handles made a cleaver more durable, whilst using steel as a component of the blade made it last longer.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1681
Medieval Iron Cleaver Group
Estimate £150 - 200€170 - 230 (for guidance only)$200 - 270 (for guidance only)
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Medieval Limestone Corbel Head
Circa 14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
The figure carved with naturalistic facial features, wearing a hooded cowl; remains of the hooded springer to the top of the head and reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.65 kg, 28.5 cm including stand
Ex Simmons Gallery, London E11, UK. Ex London collection, 1980s-1990s. -
Medieval Gold Ring with Inscription
14th-15th century A.D.Estimate: £3,500 - 4,500 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,944
The keeled hoop with three X-motifs, two stylised animal heads supporting the oval bezel inscribed with Lombardic letters (letters M and X separated by decorative motifs, cross to the top); the possibly earlier intaglio with a draped bust of an empress (Faustina the Younger?) in profile to the left, with an elongated neck and curled hair tied back in a bun at the nape of the neck. 5.98 grams, 22.96 mm overall, 18.46 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Acquired at Christie's, New York (Antiquities Sale), circa 2000. Important North West London 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 a search certificate number no.11818-204560.
It is likely that the inscription is abbreviation for 'Memento Mori', meaning 'remember you must die', accompanied by a cross and X for Christ. This imagery served as a reminder to the Christians to keep their soul in good order for the final judgment. -
Medieval 'Temple Bruer' Bronze Personal Seal Matrix of John of DUHTO with Templar Crosses
1200-1300 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Of vesica shape and bearing the central device of a crouching squirrel with tail raised over its back and inscribed incuse and reversed +S'IO+h'IS+DE D+VhTO which may be interpreted as Seal of John of Duhto [an uncertain place or abbreviation of a place name]; the presence of multiple crosses within the inscription which do not appear to divide words is unusual; with raised loop to the reverse. 5.79 grams, 25 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector in the former grounds of the preceptory at Temple Bruer with Temple High Grange, Lincolnshire, UK, by Steve Lane at 1pm on Sunday 5th February 2023. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report reference SWYOR-17DA60.
Vesica-shaped seal matrices are often associated with the clergy or others with religious connections so this matrix could be directly associated with the Knights Templar preceptory at Temple Bruer (founded in reign of Henry II) where it was found, or with a Templar visitor there; the appearance of four crosses to the inscription, in place of the more usual single cross at the start/finish of the wording (in this case at the head of the squirrel), is unusual and may be linked to the particular significance of crosses to the Knights Templar members.
