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LOT 1726
Medieval Pewter 'Popinjay' Pilgrim's Badge
CIRCA 14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (6.44 grams, 47 mm).
Slightly domed in profile with low-relief detailing to the wings, with collar at the throat. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound on the Thames foreshore, London, UK.
Ex Nigel Mills, London, UK.
The term 'popinjay' is an old word for 'parrot'. It is associated with the rhyme 'Popinjay, jolly May' this month being seen as the month of love.
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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Medieval Decorated 'He who loves from the heart, gives with a good heart' Posy Boxwood Comb
Circa 1490-1510 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,100
Central panel decorated with a heart pierced by two arrows and inscription: 'qui de bon [COER] eyme', and verso openwork carving of blind interlaces and inscription: 'de bon [COER] donne', translating to 'He who loves from the heart, gives with a good heart'; probably given as a love token. 58 grams, 15 cm
Private collection, USA. Private collection, Suffolk. Accompanied by a copy of an illustrated catalogue document.
Medieval specialist Dr Malcolm Jones writes: 'The same formula and use of the rebus heart-device can be found engraved on contemporary jewellery, e.g. on a 14th/15thC English gold ring recently on the French antique jewellery market which is inscribed in Black Letter script, ie. uous eme bien [I love you very much - de bon ♥ - from a good heart]. The familiar heart-symbol ♥ -- which nowadays we ‘read’ as love [I ♥ New York] -- makes its first appearance as a rebus in this late medieval era, engraved on rings, where it is to be read as the noun, coer/cuer, etc. One of its earliest appearances is on a bronze ring of 13th or 14thC date in the British Museum inscribed in Lombardic capitals: A VILA MON ♥ [Here is my heart GARDI LI MO[Y] keep it for me]. -
Medieval Stained Glass with Angel Holding a Scroll
Northern France, circa 1520 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Irregular glass panel with painted image of a winged angel with hands folded inside a partly-unfurled scroll; mounted in a display frame. 398 grams, 29 cm
Acquired on the UK art market, 2018. -
Medieval and Later Artefact Collection
12th-19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Mixed group of artefacts including a spur bar, lead spindle whorls, clay pipe fragments, buckles, coins, badges and other items. 807 grams total, 15-89 mm
Found near York, UK.
