Norman Silver-Gilt Mount with Animals

Comprising a tongue-shaped curved-section body pierced in two places for attachment and forked lower end, with rounded shoulders and bowed head with soft features and short hair. 20 grams, 86 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

From the 12th to 14th century, there was a large industry producing metal objects decorated in enamel using the champlevé technique, of which most of the survivals and probably most of the original production, are religious objects such as reliquaries, crosses and statues of saints.

Page of a rag-paper bible with text printed in two columns and with marginal notes to both sides; portion of Book of Jeremiah; printed in Strasbourg by Johann Grüninger with commentary by Nicholas de Lyra. 13 grams, 32.2 x 22.8 cm



From the private collection of M. Cummings, Lincolnshire, UK, 1990s.

Johannes Grüninger (1455-1533) was a prolific German printer, active from 1482 to 1533, who printed up to 80 books a year in Latin and in German, as well as wall-maps. His bible was issued in two volumes, which allowed it be produced on smaller pages than for most standard editions.

Comprising a D-section hoop with traces of engraved guilloche to the outer edge, knop to the underside, scooped shoulders; octagonal bezel with facetted cup beneath, each face with engraved scroll motif, bevelled rim, engraved Arabic legend. 11.91 grams, 24.13 mm overall, 17.47 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



From an old French collection believed to have been formed in the 1960s. Acquired privately as part of a collection in the early 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated catalogue information page. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12141-214818.