Medieval Knight's Enamelled Bronze Heraldic Horse Harness Pendant with Leopard

Comprising a quatrefoil with beaded border enclosing a square with a lozenge to the centre and a granule cluster at each node; above, torso and left hand of a figure; possibly from a crucifix with Corpus Christi. 2.71 grams, 28 mm



From a retired Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman's collection, a long time member of the Pewter Society.

Carved in the half-round frieze fragment or devotional sculpture of the Madonna del Fuoco, facing female in wimple and long robe with her right arm bent forward, left arm extended above a child gripping the folds of her robe; billowing flames surrounding the pair; mounted on a custom-made stand. 10.55 kg total, 37.7 cm including stand



Acquired Lukas Pearsie, Suffolk, 2012. Property of a Kent collector. From the N.J. collection, Leicester, UK.

One version of the legend of 'Our Lady of the Flames' concerns an image of Mary and the Infant Jesus which was saved from a house-fire at Forli, near Ravenna, Italy by a miraculous intervention. The icon burst out of the wall of the blazing house to the astonishment of the locals, who reported it to the church authorities and it was subsequently accepted by a papal legate as a miracle. The legend was propagated in an early Italian printed book by Giuliano Bezzi called "Il Fuoco Trionfante" (The Triumphant Fire) printed in 1637. The events are said to have taken place around 1420 A.D.

Comprising six rings with various motifs, including one with a cross motif, one with remains of enamel, and one with a simple D-section band. 20 grams total, 17.7-23.2 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.