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LOT 1347
Medieval Ring with Beast Facing Back
CIRCA 12TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (2.66 grams, 21.44 mm overall, 16.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)).
A copper-alloy ring composed of a slender hoop (now slightly misshaped), expanding at the shoulders to an oval bezel engraved with a stylised regardant beast within a dashed frame. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate collection formed since the 1940s.
UK art market.
Property of an Essex gentleman.
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'The Chinnor' Medieval Gold 'None So Well' Decorated Posy Ring
Circa 1400-1500 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
A gold posy ring composed of a waisted band with pearled and raised upper and lower borders, each decorated with a circumferential ring of pellets, the central section engraved with a blackletter French inscription: 'nul ce bien' ('none so well'), each word separated by sunbursts and flowers; plain interior. 1.83 grams, 18.11 mm overall, 16.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)
Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Kevin Ford on 25th January 2020 in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Report (PAS) number OXON-FF9F8E. Accompanied by a letter to HM Coroner for Oxfordshire from the Treasure Registrar at the British Museum disclaiming the Crown's interest in the ring with treasure reference number 2020 T76. Accompanied by a letter from the finder detailing the circumstances of the find. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11657-196665.
French Gothic blackletter inscriptions on finger rings were associated with the culture of chivalry and courtly love; a historic example of gifts and tokens as expressions of love. Some scholars note that black letter inscriptions are prevalent on love rings between the 13th-15th centuries. Although such rings could be both English and French in origin, it is believed that most were English, with French inscriptions. Note that the PAS offers a different interpretation of the inscription on this ring. -
Medieval Bulbous Thimble
11th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
An unusual copper-alloy thimble of bulbous form, with dimples to the upper body. 20.5 grams, 27 mm
Acquired early 2000s. Property of a Birmingham, UK, collector. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
English Medieval Silver Chessman Type Seal Matrix
Early 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £702
A silver chessman-type seal matrix with pierced trefoil finial; incuse motif of Christ crucified facing flanked by two supporters in profile; Lombardic script legend to the edge " *IESVSNAZERNVS" (Jesus the Nazarene). 12.7 grams, 27 mm
The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s. Matrix Collection catalogue no.1101. Many of the seals within the collection were published in a book titled 'The Matrix Collection', by David Morris in 2012.