Medieval Silver-Gilt Buckle

With round-section shank and dished bezel, inset glass cabochon displaying a youthful male bust in three-quarter view, possibly Apollo. 20.22 grams, 28.60 mm overall, 18.96 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)



Acquired in the 1980s on the London art market. Ex Walsh collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11906-207091.

Quatrefoil-type with interstitial lobes, central square panel with lion rampant. 4.41 grams, 28 mm



Found Romney Marsh area, 2023. Property of a Kent gentleman.

Comprising hunting, butcher's domestic and other blade types, including examples with serrated blades and sickles. 3.1 kg total, 18-42 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Aside from the actual cut marks that are observed on animal bones following archaeological excavation, the butchery implements found from the medieval period are of considerable importance. The cut marks seem to indicate a more refined style of butchery with less use of the cleaver for disarticulation and a greater reliance on knives. The defining characteristic of the butchery knives is that they were sharp-edged and likely to have been made in much the same way as the cleavers, i.e. with a steel edge to maintain sharpness.