Medieval Silver Artefact Group

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.

A ceramic jug with burnished surface, squat body, moulded gusset to the shoulder, rolled rim to the mouth with broad spout, thick strap handle to the rear. 918 grams, 17 cm high

Rim chipped.

Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.

An openwork lead pilgrim's badge displaying the wool-combe emblem of St Blaise of Canterbury within a pelletted roundel; complete with pin. 2.92 grams, 30 mm



Found on the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.

St Blaise is believed to have been a bishop located somewhere in Asia Minor who was martyred in the early 4th century by beheading, following a period of torture with iron combs which later became his emblem. Canterbury, where his shrine stood behind the high altar and near to that of Saint Thomas Becket, claimed to have relics directly associated with Blaise, and miracles attributed to the saint continued to attract pilgrims into the 15th century.