Medieval Iron Knife with Bronze Pommel

With wooden core to which the embossed sheets have been attached; the obverse with a central nimbate Corpus Christi, an applied rosette above and to the left arm; an angel to the finial of the upper and lower arm with Mary and St John the Evangelist to the side arms; the reverse with a central figure of Jesus holding the Gospel and making the sign of blessing; each finial of the arm with the symbols of the Evangelists (eagle, angel, lion and ox); the cross resting on a floral sphere with a socket below. 920 grams, 52.5 cm

Some damage and repair.

with Adolphe Goumaz, Pully, Switzerland. Ex private 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 search certificate no.11804-206500.

The metal sheets of the cross seem to be 15th century A.D. North Italian work. The four Evangelists are depicted with a human face at the front of the cross, and in animal forms at the reverse.

All complete or very near complete and of different types and sizes, including examples with simple geometric ornament. 290 grams total, 3-16.5 cm



Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK.

Each of a different type, including examples decorated with ring-and-dot ornament, foliate designs, geometric motifs, together with bifacial examples, notable one inscribed 'DEVM' 'ICOL[ ]'? 41.8 grams total, 35-57 mm



Acquired on the UK market, 1990s. Property of a retired academic.