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LOT 1579
Medieval 'Temple Bruer' Bronze Personal Seal Matrix of John of DUHTO with Templar Crosses
1200-1300 A.D.
1 in. (5.79 grams, 25 mm).
Of vesica shape and bearing the central device of a crouching squirrel with tail raised over its back and inscribed incuse and reversed +S'IO+h'IS+DE D+VhTO which may be interpreted as Seal of John of Duhto [an uncertain place or abbreviation of a place name]; the presence of multiple crosses within the inscription which do not appear to divide words is unusual; with raised loop to the reverse.
ProvenanceFound whilst searching with a metal detector in the former grounds of the preceptory at Temple Bruer with Temple High Grange, Lincolnshire, UK, by Steve Lane at 1pm on Sunday 5th February 2023.
Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report reference SWYOR-17DA60.
See Linenthal, Richard and Noel, William, Medieval Seal Matrices in the Schøyen Collection, Manuscripts in the Schøyen Collection IV, Oslo, 2004, nos. 186-196 for examples of squirrels on seals.
FootnotesVesica-shaped seal matrices are often associated with the clergy or others with religious connections so this matrix could be directly associated with the Knights Templar preceptory at Temple Bruer (founded in reign of Henry II) where it was found, or with a Templar visitor there; the appearance of four crosses to the inscription, in place of the more usual single cross at the start/finish of the wording (in this case at the head of the squirrel), is unusual and may be linked to the particular significance of crosses to the Knights Templar members.
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LOT 1579
Medieval 'Temple Bruer' Bronze Personal Seal Matrix of John of DUHTO with Templar Crosses
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
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Medieval and Later Bronze Thimble Collection
Circa 15th-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Ranging in sizes and types, and including beehive and open-topped examples and examples decorated with palmettes. 87 grams total, 11-22 mm
Found Berkshire, UK. -
Medieval Bronze Buckle Group
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Of various types, including examples retaining rivets and articulate tongues, with decorative designs including foliage, openwork geometric forms and pierced quatrefoils; one example with textile within the buckle plate; a fragmentary buckle head with enigmatic incised inscription. 32 grams total, 28-51 mm
Acquired on the UK market, 1990s. Property of a retired academic. -
Medieval Equestrian Knight Badge Group
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising a circular stone with an incised cross to one side and a series of 13 heraldic hearts to the other; a bronze cross pendant with annulet-in-circle motifs to one side. 47 grams total, 30-36 mm
From an old Worcestershire, UK collection. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
The copper-alloy pendant appears to be cross-shaped with the top arm forming the suspension loop. It is therefore possible to consider the pendant to be T-shaped, in the form of the Greek letter Tau. These Tau crosses often acted as miniature reliquaries which are thought to have contained a herbal compound that was used to treat the symptoms of St Anthony's fire.
