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LOT 1737
Medieval Iron Knife with Bronze Pommel
EARLY TO MID-15TH CENTURY A.D.
8 in. (46 grams, 20.5 cm).
Comprising a single cutting edge and scale tang; bifacial pommel engraved with a foliate motif within a border.
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.
FootnotesKnife handles were made of wood, horn, bone or metal. Wood, a cheap, readily available and easily worked material, was by far the most common and most of the species used are both hard and flexible.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1737
Medieval Iron Knife with Bronze Pommel
Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 410 (for guidance only)
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Medieval Alabaster Weeping Mary Magdalene
Sicily, circa 1500 A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,389
From a Lamentation scene, modelled in the round with naturalistic facial features and flowing hair; Mary depicted kneeling and wearing a long tunica talaris with short sleeves; her head downcast with sorrowful expression, lips slightly parted. 4.95 kg, 33 cm
Ex Palau Antiguitats, Barcelona, 2022. 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.11748-202078.
Mary was considered the former sinner par excellence who, having abandoned the path of sinful vice, returned to original purity through the light of Christ, and accompanied Jesus until the last moments, shared the pain of his death with his mother and was witness of the Resurrection. Because of this, her appearance was often that of a simple girl, with long hair that echoed the biblical account. It was believed that through devotion and prayer to images of Mary Magdalene, the viewer might, like her, regain purity and find the same redemption that she was given by Christ. -
Medieval Iron Horseshoe Group
14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Composed of shoes of different types and dates and including examples retaining nails. 1 kg total, 11-12.3 cm
Ex Suffolk, UK, gentleman, 1990s. -
Medieval 'Thames' Pewter Lion Retainer's Badge
15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Comprising a lion passant guardant wearing a crown, tongue protruding; remains of pin to reverse. 1.85 grams, 23 mm
Found Thames foreshore spoil, 1980s and recorded with Museum of London.
This form of badge was used by the Lancastrians in the Wars of the Roses.
