Mixed Copper-alloy Artefact Collection

Composed of a slender hoop with decoration to the shoulders, floral bezel set with polished rubies embellished with 'white' and green enamelling; reverse with white and blue enamelled floral design. 2.88 grams, 19.66 mm overall, 15.82 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Preserved as the binding for a 'book of common prayers, and administration of the sacraments', in an embroidered stumpwork binding, the front cover showing Saint Anne, Mary and the Child, the back cover with a large floral design; the folio text with some handwritten amendations, title page printed in red and black. 2.75 kg, 38.7 cm



Emil Offenbacher and Cornelius J. Hauck, with his ex libris beneath an elaborate hand-coloured early armorial bookplate. Ex Cultured Oyster Books, 2007. Ex central London gallery. Accompanied by a previous catalogue page, listed as no.10.

Stumpwork is sometimes called 'raised work' and is an embroidery style in which the stitched figures are raised from the surface creating a three-dimensional effect. Historically, this type of embroidery, here probably made for an ecclesiastical vestment, was employed to decorated a variety of secular household artefacts and reached its greatest popularity by the second half of the 17th century A.D. Embroidered folio bindings are fairly uncommon.

Displaying a scene composed of a young man punting, turning his attention towards a duck on the water behind; tiles of varying thickness. 436 grams total, 12.5 x 12.3 - 12.5 x 13 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.