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LOT 1652
Medieval Iron Horse Bit Group
14TH-16TH CENTURY A.D.
8 1/4 -12 3/4 in. (2.85 kg total, 21-32.5 cm).
Comprising bits of various types and sizes, including articulate elements. [18, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. similar specimen in PAS, PUBLIC-DEB4D3, in Leahy, K. and Lewis, M., Finds Identified II, London, 2020, p.295.
FootnotesThis kind of iron snaffle bits were commonly used in late Medieval or Renaissance period. The mouth piece was made in two linked sections, to which big rings were attached at the extremities. Reins and bridles were both fastened to the rings.
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AUCTIONS:
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Medieval Romanesque Marble Head of a Saint
Late 12th-13th century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,222
Carved naturalistically in the round as a mature male figure with short wavy hair, full beard and moustache, his brow furrowed and mouth held slightly ajar; repaired. 3.8 kg, 18 cm
Acquired in Europe before 1996. 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.11809-206816.
The head was carved as an image of a saint, Apostle or a prophet. The accomplished and sophisticated style of carving on this head can be compared to some of the most celebrated Romanesque buildings of Southern France. The carving of the head resembles the representations of heads and faces of 12th century French Romanesque art, for example those of Saint Trophime in Arles. This imposing head once served as an important architectural part of a lavishly decorated church, possibly in western France. Its form and the size suggest that the head was not only decorative but that it would have been structurally important – perhaps part of a row of statues of apostles and prophet like those depicted on the Saint Trophime façade. -
Medieval Bronze Knight's 'De Bohun Family' Heraldic Horse Harness Pendant
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
A heater-shield-shaped pendant with integral suspension loop; device: [azure] a bend argent, cotised and between six lioncels [or]. 9.5 grams, 36 mm
Found Nottinghamshire, UK.
The well-known de Bohun family were Earls of Essex and Hereford. Whilst the enamelling is lost, this is a distinctive coat of arms. -
Medieval Bronze Seal Matrix with Stag's Head
13th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Composed of a hexagonal stem with collars and trilobate loop, circular die bearing a facing stag's head caboshed, with a cross between the antlers, surrounding Latin inscription 'IESVS MERCI' ('Jesus have mercy on me'); accompanied by an impression. 8.6 grams, 24 mm
Found Berkshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.BERK-9CFE1B.
The design reflects the visions of St Eustace (2nd century) and Saint Hubert (8th century), who saw a stag with cross between antlers whilst hunting.
