Pope Sixtus V Bronze Pendant

D-shaped in section with blackletter legend '+ala ven ture' (a l'aventure, meaning with luck/ perhaps/ if possible) and fronds between. 1.74 grams, 21.27 mm overall, 18.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

Trilobate in plan with openwork triangle between three roundels with hatched fields, the upper two surmounted by crosses, depicting scenes from Christ's life: the crucifixion, resurrection and Christ at the Column in relief. 3.39 grams, 31 mm



Ex European collection, 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

In 1383 AD, after fire in the town of Bad Wilsnack, Germany) three consecrated communion hosts were found undamaged in the ruins of the church. According to the legend, they were sprinkled with the Holy Blood of Christ, which made Bad Wilsnack a famous pilgrimage site. The resultant pilgrim badges were distinctive in shape with three circles arranged in a triangle and painted in red, referring to this miracle. Although the miracle was doubted by Reformation period scholars like John Hus, the final blow came in 1552, when the miraculous communion hosts were publicly burned.

An annular brooch set with decorative oak leaves, tall collet at the top set with a garnet cabochon, dagger-shaped pin. 1.74 grams, 18 mm



Private collection, UK.

In medieval jewellery, garnets were highly prized for their deep red hue and believed mystical properties. Associated with protection, vitality, and divine love, garnets were thought to ward off illness, protect against injury, and illuminate the darkness—both literal and spiritual. Their rich colour made them a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice, and they frequently appeared in religious and funerary jewellery. Garnets were also connected to concepts of faithfulness and truth, making them a popular choice in personal adornment and ecclesiastical pieces throughout the Middle Ages. Oak trees were widely regarded as symbols of strength, stability, and endurance, owing to their longevity and robust nature. In jewellery, oak leaves could represent resilience, fortitude, and the ability to withstand adversity—virtues admired in both secular and religious life. Within Christian art and ornamentation, the oak also carried spiritual significance, evoking the Tree of Life and the strength of faith. It was often interpreted as a symbol of God’s protection, particularly in devotional objects or pieces with sacred motifs.