Medieval Iron Scythe Group

Trilobate in plan with openwork triangle between three roundels with hatched fields, the upper two surmounted by crosses, depicting scenes from Christ's life: the crucifixion, resurrection and Christ at the Column in relief. 3.39 grams, 31 mm



Ex European collection, 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

In 1383 AD, after fire in the town of Bad Wilsnack, Germany) three consecrated communion hosts were found undamaged in the ruins of the church. According to the legend, they were sprinkled with the Holy Blood of Christ, which made Bad Wilsnack a famous pilgrimage site. The resultant pilgrim badges were distinctive in shape with three circles arranged in a triangle and painted in red, referring to this miracle. Although the miracle was doubted by Reformation period scholars like John Hus, the final blow came in 1552, when the miraculous communion hosts were publicly burned.

Discoid in plan with central floret to each face and legend to the border; Side A: '* + S'VILL DE VVE[..]' (seal of William of WE[..]); Side B: '+ [S]' [.]VIAN[.]NVR[.]LL'. 11.4 grams, 24.8 mm



Found Thames, UK. From the later Peter Hooper Pewter and Lead collection, who was a guest lecturer at West Dean College and was a longtime member of the Pewter Society who contributed to the Pewter Society Magazine.

Including beehive, annular and other types. 225 grams total, 13-25 mm



Found Suffolk, UK. (UK buyers only, not for export)