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LOT 1416
Medieval Iron Knife with Bronze Pommel
CIRCA 1500 A.D.
8 in. (49 grams, 20.2 cm).
Comprising a single cutting edge, scale tang and bifacial pommel with incised motifs.
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.28-32, for type.
FootnotesThe medieval knives could have the tang attached in two ways depending on the the form of the tang. Whittle-tang knives have a tapered tang which is inserted into or through the handle. Scale-tang knives have wider and flatter tangs onto which the plates comprising the handle are attached with metal rivets.
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Medieval Illuminated Vellum Manuscript Page
England, early 13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Text in two columns with versals and illuminated capitals, red and blue linear ornament; Gregorian chant; mounted within a reveal in a glazed wooden frame. 425 grams total, 22 x 27 cm including frame
Acquired in the 1990s or before. From a deceased London, UK, estate. -
Medieval Gold Bifacial Pendant with Garnet
Circa 11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Lozengiform biconvex garnet in a gold setting with beaded wire rim to each face, tubular bale above. 0.57 grams, 11.45 mm
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s. -
Medieval Bronze Shield-Shaped Seal Matrix
Circa 14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Of chess piece type with looped handle; the shield-shaped die with a stag's head, cross above and an inscribed panel above. 5.47 grams, 20 mm
Found Northampton, UK.
The cross alludes to the Vision of St Eustace (also of St. Hubert) who saw the Crucifixion between the antlers of a stag. For a similar seal see PAS database SWYOR-1ES497 where the inscription above reads LELS (for LEL SV, ‘I am loyal’) – the present inscription is probably a debased version of this.