Medieval 'Thames' Pewter Pilgrim's Bell Group

Octagonal bezel with incuse standing figure in surcoat and helm. 1.69 grams, 20.68 mm overall, 17.23 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.

Depicted laying down with its chin resting between its forepaws, stylised detailing to the face, mouth, mane and tail; pierced through the tail for attachment; two pierced suspension lugs to reverse. 20 grams, 42 mm



Acquired early 2000s. Property of a Birmingham, UK, collector. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

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.