Medieval Silver-Gilt Ring with Crowned Heart

Showing a central figure of Mary seated supporting the infant Jesus; ropework edges to the border with legend in Lombardic script '*MATER DEI MEMENTO ME[.]' (Mother of God, remember (me)); loop to the reverse. 7.78 grams, 26 mm



Cambridgeshire collection, 1990s.

Comprising: a talbot on a hinged attachment stud; an openwork rosette; an enamelled plaque with scene of a figure beneath an arch. 50.4 grams total, 34-66 mm



Found UK. Acquired on the UK art market after 2000. Ex Stratford collection, Suffolk, UK.

Carved in the half-round with a frieze composed of interlaced foliage with two rows of acanthus leaves and foliage scrolls, framing a lion's head on one side and a human head on the other, remains of lion's mane to the third; drilled holes to the raised surfaces and sockets for the insertion of decorative stones. 30 kg, 33.5 cm



Acquired from Antoine Boccador-Lieveaux, 2005. Ex central London gallery. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11739-202053.

The iconography of this capital is probably associated with the biblical story of Daniel in the lion's den. Capitals like this were part of an extensive decorative program which characterised Spanish and the French churches especially in the late 12th century A.D., with the advent of the Cistercian style. Foliate capitals ornamented the churches of Las Claustrillas, Aguilar, Gama, and other Christian sites of Southern France and Northern Spain. Capitals decorated with similar acanthus foliage can be found in churches in Burgundy, for instance at Avallon, Vezelay, and Donzy-le-Pré. However, figurative elements of the old Romanesque art also persisted.