Medieval Stained Glass Panel

Discoid type depicting a bearded face within a raised border of annulets, each with a pellet at its centre; integrally cast pin to reverse. 2.97 grams, 20 mm



Found Alford, Lincolnshire, UK. Recorded with UKDFD no.49065.

The badge possibly represents the head of John the Baptist on a platter, but an alternative interpretation is that it depicts the face of Christ in a form known as the 'Vernicle' or 'Veronica', which arises from the legend that the face of Christ was miraculously impressed on the handkerchief or veil that Saint Veronica gave to him to wipe his face on the way to Calvary. In support of the case for this interpretation, Spencer illustrates another circular badge of generally similar type (No. 254c), but with a border inscribed with the first line of a popular 14th-century prayer composed in honour of the Vernicle. In support of the case for the John the Baptist interpretation, some very similar badges depict a rather dishevelled head with a sharply couped neck.

Comprising a slender hoop with a high pie-crust bezel with a cabochon turquoise within a rub-over setting. 3.46 grams, 22.77 mm overall, 16.01 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)



Acquired on the European art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13328-257948.

This form of decorative ring with central stone setting is relatively common in the medieval period, when a focus on gemstones over metalwork became increasingly common. Several rings of this type are known and appear to have been popular in the 15th century.

D-shaped hoop and trefoil shoulders, square-section bezel with band of pellets, claw setting for an iridescent glass cloison. 4.43 grams, 26.11 mm overall, 18.75 x 16.64 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



Ex Cambridgeshire gentleman's collection, 1990s.