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LOT 1766
Medieval Iron Knife with Bronze Pommel
CIRCA 1500 A.D.
7 3/8 in. (23 grams, 18.7 cm).
Comprising a single cutting edge and scale tang, bifacial pommel incised with a female figure possibly holding an arrow to one face and what is apparently a mythical beast or other animal to the other.
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Cf. Marquardt, K., Eight Centuries of European Knives, Forks and Spoons: an Art Collection, Europe, 1997, pp.29-31, for similar.
FootnotesExamining the medieval miniatures, the knives were diagonally suspended, but the vertical suspension was the most common method in all periods. With the contrivance of an additional inner scabbard it was possible to carry more than one knife.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1766
Medieval Iron Knife with Bronze Pommel
Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 410 (for guidance only)
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Medieval Bronze 'Stansam and Cotton Families' Knight's Heraldic Horse Harness Pendant Group
13th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Including one with a horse or unicorn(?) passant (Stansam family); one with reserved eagle(?) displayed on a blue field (Cotton family). 21.4 grams total, 42-43 mm
Found UK. Acquired on the UK art market after 2000. Ex Stratford collection, Suffolk, UK. -
Medieval Iron Artefact Group
14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Composed of tools, fittings, ornamental brackets and various other artefacts. 8.7 kg total, 1.7-34 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. -
Renaissance Gilt Wooden Octagonal Socle with Paintings of Saints
South Germany, probably Augsburg, circa 1500-1520 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Intended for a religious statue, with foot-shaped recesses to the top face; the left side with a painted polychrome scene comprising Saint Jerome and Saint Ambrose with Saint Michael holding a sword and scales for weighing souls; the right side painted with a scene comprising Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Augustine and Saint John the Evangelist; both scenes set with gilt architectural frame; the reverse with the Holy Spirit depicted as a dove. 1.95 kg, 16.5 cm high
Very fine condition.
Ex Julius Böhler Ltd, Munich, Germany, 2000. 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.11741-202052.
The base probably housed a statue of Christ. The painting, although mannerist, reflects the style of the Germanic Renaissance. The saints surrounding the dove are easily recognisable by their attributes. St Jerome as a penitent was often represented in front of a crucifix, next to him the hourglass and the skull, symbolising fleeing time leading to death. St Ambrose is represented with his whip, defending people from the enemies of the faith. St Michael is holding the sword and balance and St Augustine is represented with the child who appeared to him on the seashore admonishing him. Many representations from the Middle Ages show Pope St Gregory the Great (of a noble family and pontiff from 590 to 604) with the Dove of the Holy Spirit perched on his shoulder. St John the Evangelist is represented here according to the golden legend of Jacopo da Varazze, with a snake and a chalice.
