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LOT 1928
Medieval Pope Boniface IX Lead Papal Bulla
1389-1404 A.D.
1 1/2 in. (51.7 grams, 36 mm).
The obverse depicting the busts of St Peter and St Paul each within an inverted pear-shaped compartment defined by pellets; cross pattee supported on a staff between the busts and at the top of the bulla in the centre letters 'SPASPE', abbreviations for St Paul and St Peter; reverse inscribed over three lines 'BONI / FATIVS:/ PP:VIIII', with an omega above the letters 'PP'; both obverse and reverse faces with a pelletted perimeter. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound UK.
Property of a Worlingworth, Suffolk, UK, private collector.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Pope Boniface IX, born Pietro Tomacelli, was the 204th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1389 to 1404. He served during the Western Schism, a period where rival claimants to the papacy existed in both Rome and Avignon.
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 Bronze Purse Bar with Niello Inlay
15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
With niello-filled legend to the bar: 'AVE MARIA GACIA PLE' and to reverse 'A DOMINV TE CVM *'; central heater-shaped plaque with niello-filled 'W' to one face and 'IHS' monogram to reverse. 70.66 grams, 15.5 cm
Ex 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.
Metal purse frames of this type were a luxury personal accessory of late Middle Ages and early Renaissance period (about 1450-1500). They were decorated with niello. In this technique the metalworker engraved a pattern or design onto highly polished metal and filled the incised lines with a hard black alloy. Religious inscriptions were incised to invoke divine protection. -
Medieval Bronze Portable Hinged Mirror Case Group
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Each hinged at one edge, with punched triangular markings in curved and cross-shaped bands. 33.9 grams total, 42-46 mm
Found East Anglia, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Medieval Bronze Ecclesiastical Vesica-Shaped Seal Matrix
14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Central image of a robed figure with a heater shield spearing a dragon at his feet; legend to rim '*VIAM : VERITATIS: ELEGI' (I have chosen the path of truth). 14.5 grams, 35 mm
Found East Anglia, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The legend is a quote from Psalm 118:30 and a commitment to follow the teachings of the church.
