Medieval Iron Fire Starter Group

Composed of an openwork body with volute scrolls to both terminals. 18.3 grams, 53 mm



UK collection, early 1990s and before. Acquired on the UK art market since the early 2000s. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK.

Tongue-shaped panel with hatched reverse; facing image of St. Nicholas in episcopal robes holding his crook in his left hand and raising his right hand in bnison; frieze of devotees below; legend to the arch '+ S NICOΓAID ·:· EDOR[.]'. 4.71 grams, 41 mm



From the Forgeais (1822-1878) collection, France, thence by family descent. with Gallery 51, 21 June 2013, lot 71.

Carved in the half-round with a frieze composed of interlaced foliage with two rows of acanthus leaves and foliage scrolls, framing a lion's head on one side and a human head on the other, remains of lion's mane to the third; drilled holes to the raised surfaces and sockets for the insertion of decorative stones. 30 kg, 33.5 cm



Acquired from Antoine Boccador-Lieveaux, 2005. Ex central London gallery. 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.11739-202053.

The iconography of this capital is probably associated with the biblical story of Daniel in the lion's den. Capitals like this were part of an extensive decorative program which characterised Spanish and the French churches especially in the late 12th century A.D., with the advent of the Cistercian style. Foliate capitals ornamented the churches of Las Claustrillas, Aguilar, Gama, and other Christian sites of Southern France and Northern Spain. Capitals decorated with similar acanthus foliage can be found in churches in Burgundy, for instance at Avallon, Vezelay, and Donzy-le-Pré. However, figurative elements of the old Romanesque art also persisted.