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LOT 1664
Medieval Papal Bulla Seal of Pope Martin V
1417-1431 A.D.
1 1/2 in. (51.9 grams, 37 mm).
A papal bulla seal of Pope Martin V, with 'MAR / TINVS / PP. V' within a beaded circle to one face, two stylised facing heads of St Peter and St Paul to the other, cross between, 'SPA SPE' above.
ProvenanceProperty of a Bristol, UK, gentleman.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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'The Witham on the Hill' Medieval Gold 'The Beautiful Game' Posy Ring with Matched Pairs of Flowers
Circa 1400-1500 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
Flat-section straightened hoop with incised blackletter text 'le belle ie[u]' translating to 'the beautiful game' with interposed flowers and stalks. 1.68 grams, 16.92 mm overall, 15.39 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)
Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Witham on the Hill, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire, UK, on Sunday 9th January 2022, by Mark Bowen. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.CAM-D675E8. Accompanied by a copy of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Treasure receipt and and disclaimed with Treasure case tracking no.2022T153. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12139-214843.
The final word of the inscription is ie for ie[u], an Anglo-Norman spelling of modern French jeu ‘game’. The game in question is, of course, love (not football!). The ‘game’ of love here is what we now refer to as Courtly Love (amour courtois, fin amor) and the phrase ‘beautiful game’ is also found on another ring recorded on the PAS database as YORYM-0A0FD2, the whole, a rhyming couplet, reading AMIE EN VV/ [E]ST MA VIE BELE GIEV [Beloved, in you my life is a beautiful game]. -
Medieval Gold Pendant with Garnet
Circa 14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Comprising an openwork oval frame set with a translucent garnet disc, pyramidal granule cluster below. 1.64 grams, 23 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. -
Medieval Silver Ring with Snake
Circa 15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Comprising a D-section hoop, the bezel with eight points, engraved with a stylised slithering snake within a lozenge border. 3.00 grams, 19.51 mm overall, 16.27 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)
UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
