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LOT 1915
Medieval Lead Shield-Shaped Trade Weight
12TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (114 grams, 50 mm).
Heater-shaped with recessed central motif of a tree(?), pellets and foliage. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Graham Slater (1924-2024) collection, Cambridge, UK; his collection assembled since the 1980s.
From a Cambridgeshire, UK, private collection.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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Ritually Sacrificed British Medieval Bronze Cauldron with the 'Murder' Weapon
1300-1400 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
Comprising: a large bulbous bronze cauldron with three radiating applied iron legs (one detached), squat in profile with flared and chamfered rim; substantial iron axehead with slightly flared blade, thickened butt with socket; the cauldron discovered inverted with the axehead underneath. 6 kg total, 31 cm
The assemblage found whilst searching with a metal detector in Cumbria, South Lakeland, UK on Friday 23 February 2023. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report nos.LANCUM-DA7471, LANCUM-F50F1D. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The find and its likely meaning have been discussed at length with Vincent van Vilsteren, the former Curator of the Drents Museum in the Netherlands, who has studied many instances of cauldrons which have been ceremonially buried after sustaining extensive damage. The ex curator's PhD is currently in process and will concentrate on the ritual aspects of late medieval bronze cauldrons. The suggested interpretation here is that the cauldron was ritually 'killed' or put beyond use, and the weapon used to effect this was interred with it. This would be a rare (if not unparalleled) case in Europe of the deposition of the weapon alongside the item which the ritual was supposed to 'retire'. -
Medieval Bronze Ring with Lozenge and Pellets
14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
With bell-shaped panels to the shoulders, square bezel with recess to accept enamel fill, reserved lozenge and pellets. 5.54 grams, 21.83 mm overall, 17.54 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Medieval Bronze Ring with Ring-and-Dot Motifs
14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
With transverse hatching to the shoulders and trio of ring-and-dot motifs above, discoid bezel with large central ring-and-dot surrounded by a ring of smaller examples. 6.58 grams, 23.18 mm overall, 19.19 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
