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LOT 1405
Medieval Terracotta Pilgrim's Horn
CIRCA 15TH CENTURY A.D.
10 1/2 in. (298 grams, 26.5 cm).
Formed with a slightly curved profile and with suspension loops; buff-coloured.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Apart from badges as souvenirs of visits to various saints’ shrines, pilgrims might also bear away with them various noise-making items such as horns, whistles, rattles and bells. The miniature horn-shaped lead whistles known from London and Salisbury bear various inscriptions including bla me [blow me] and ave maria. In the contemporary ‘morality’ play Mankind (c.1465-70) of East Anglian provenance, the character Nought says I kan pype in a Walsyngham wystyll, which suggests that such souvenir whistles were available from the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham too, and that already such ‘tourist’ trinkets were regarded as a proverbial type of worthlessness, ‘not worth a whistle’, indeed.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Medieval Bronze Altar Cross Base with Cross Potent
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Flared discoid base with central dome, pierced to accept the shank of a cross; incised borders and cross potent. 149 grams, 74 mm wide
Private collection formed in the 1990s. Acquired from a central London gallery. Property of an Essex gentleman. -
Large Medieval Gilt Bronze Knight's Heraldic Horse Harness Mount with Crowned R
14th-15th century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
Quatrefoil in plan with triangular tab between each lobe, blue and red enamelled design displaying a crowned capital letter R, with trace remains of gilding; mounting lug to reverse. 24.4 grams, 42 mm
Acquired early 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection. -
Large Medieval Round Lead Seal Matrix of Richard
Circa 14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
With strap to the rear and lug above, central quatrefoil and pelletted border, legend '+ S' : RICHRDI : [.].]NIHIC' (seal of Richard ...). 14.7 grams, 31 mm
Found Southern England. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.
