Medieval Silver-Gilt Cross Pendant

With a flat rectangular bezel engraved with an image of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ child on his back, the hoop extending on either side of the bezel and having a twisted design creating facetted shoulders with transverse ridges extending from each side of the bezel; each smaller shoulder facet engraved with six projecting rays, each larger side with engraved blackletter texts 'pur' and 'bone' meaning 'for good (fortune)’/ ‘for the best'; a foliate design present between the bezel and text, and each word followed by an engraved flower, the remainder of the hoop with a twisted ropework design; heavily worn by its original owner creating a desirable natural finger shape connecting the wearer with the original owner. 3.26 grams, 18.91 mm overall, 16.51 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in South Otterington, Hambleton, North Yorkshire, UK, on 28 November 2024, by James Sweeney; declared as a Treasure under the Treasure Act with reference no.2024 T1402, and subsequently disclaimed by the Crown. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.YORYM-AED39E. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the Office of the Senior Coroner for North Yorkshire and York, explaining that the Crown's interest in this find has been disclaimed. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12990-244092.

Saint Christopher, the patron of travellers, was one of the most popular saints in the Middle Ages. As a supposed early Christian martyr, he was thought to give protection against death from the plague.

Comprising a D-section hoop and openwork discoid bezel with scrollwork cross motif. 2.55 grams, 21.84 mm overall, 19.18 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

The obverse depicting the busts of St Peter and St Paul each within a compartment defined by pellets; cross pattee supported on a staff between the busts; at the top of the bulla in the centre, legend 'SPASPE' (abbreviations for St Paul and St Peter); reverse inscribed in Lombardic script in three lines 'GRE/GORIVS./PP. X', with an omega above the letters 'PP' and curlicue after 'X'; both obverse and reverse faces with a pelletted perimeter. 34.4 grams, 37 mm



Found Norfolk, UK. Accompanied by an illustrated report from Andy Flowers KLMD dated November 2013.

Pope Gregory IX, born Ugolino di Conti, was the 178th Pope of the Catholic Church, reigning from 1227 to 1241. He is known for his strong defence of papal authority, his role in the Crusades, and his establishment of the Papal Inquisition.