Medieval Knights Bronze 'Earls of Arundel' Heraldic Horse Harness Pendant

With voided lozenge bow and pierced lugs to the edges, tubular shaft with rounded forward end, split ward with bits. 142 grams, 15.6 cm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Pillar capital for an architectural column or pier decorated with dense vegetation motifs, tapering swags or garlands; reef-knot motif and leaves above; unworked to the reverse. 74 kg total, 51.5 cm high including stand



Ex French collection. Holz Artles, 25 April 2015, no.83. Private collection, Kensington, London. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13383-259007.

This finely carved capital belongs to a group of Romanesque capitals known as knotwork capitals, widespread in the South of France and North of Spain, where the influence of the architecture of the old Visigothic Kingdom was still strong. These capitals probably originate in one of the most famous sculpture workshops of Romanesque France. The base of the capital is topped by a row of abstractly sculpted acanthus leaves. The dominant section of the capital is decorated with stylised knotwork, composed of ornament that entwine and end in folded acanthus leaves. In between the entwined branches, there is more foliage forming the ‘head of a monster’ which playfully animates the sculpture.

A finely carved late Gothic group depicting two kneeling angels supporting the Cross, executed in walnut with a deep, time-worn patina, the angels, shown in reverent adoration, kneeling upon a naturalistic ground, their flowing drapery falling in deep, angular folds; each figure gently steadying the cross with expressive, delicately carved hands; on the reverse apertures indicating the former attachment of separately carved wings, now lost; the recessed compartments within the cross retaining traces of red pigment, suggesting that it originally housed relics or fragments of the True Cross; accompanied by a fabric-covered display stand. 6.4 kg total, 40.7 cm high



Acquired on the European art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13380-258014.

The composition is devotional in nature and was likely conceived as part of a larger altarpiece or reliquary ensemble dedicated to the Adoration or Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The sculptor’s sensitive modelling and rhythmic treatment of drapery reflect the refined workmanship characteristic of the Southern Netherlands during the early sixteenth century.