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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.
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AUCTIONS:
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Medieval Silver Shield-Shaped Ring with Crosses
Circa 12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
With teardrop plaque and heraldic design of crosses potent flanking chevrons. 4.43 grams, 20.79 mm overall, 18.04 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
From the collection of a High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman, circa 2000. -
Medieval Bronze Signet Ring with Figure and Horse Head
Circa 15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Disc bezel with incuse design including arosette amid fronds with horse-head supporter. 6.34 grams, 23.14 mm overall, 19.83 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U 1/2, USA 10 1/4, Europe 23.15, Japan 22)
Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman. -
Medieval Illuminated Vellum Manuscript Page
England, early 13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Text in two columns with versals and illuminated capitals, red and blue linear ornament; Gregorian chant; mounted within a reveal in a glazed wooden frame. 425 grams total, 22 x 27 cm including frame
Acquired in the 1990s or before. From a deceased London, UK, estate.
