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LOT 1317
Published Medieval 'Thames' Saint Blaise of Canterbury Pilgrim's Badge
CIRCA 14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 in. (2.92 grams, 30 mm).
An openwork lead pilgrim's badge displaying the wool-combe emblem of St Blaise of Canterbury within a pelletted roundel; complete with pin. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound on the Thames foreshore, London, UK.
Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985.
Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.
Spencer, B., Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges, Medieval Finds from Excavations in London, London, 2010, p.176, item 198e.
FootnotesSt Blaise is believed to have been a bishop located somewhere in Asia Minor who was martyred in the early 4th century by beheading, following a period of torture with iron combs which later became his emblem. Canterbury, where his shrine stood behind the high altar and near to that of Saint Thomas Becket, claimed to have relics directly associated with Blaise, and miracles attributed to the saint continued to attract pilgrims into the 15th century.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1317
Published Medieval 'Thames' Saint Blaise of Canterbury Pilgrim's Badge
Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
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English Medieval Silver Vesica-Shaped Seal Matrix for John Baring
Circa 14th-15th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £520
A silver vesica seal matrix with pierced lug to the reverse; central incuse fleur-de-lys motif; outer band with incuse legend "+ SIGIL IOhIS : bARING:" (seal of John Baring); collector number '109' to reverse. 18.4 grams, 35 mm
The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s. Matrix Collection catalogue no.0109. Many of the seals within the collection were published in a book titled 'The Matrix Collection', by David Morris in 2012. Accompanied by a copy of the illustrated collection notes.
The 'A' of Baring is formed with a chevron bar (as is seen on some English coins of the medieval period); the 'N' is retrograde and the 'G' of Lombardic form; a member of the Baring family was Prior of Winchester Abbey (1364-1384 AD) and vesica-shaped matrices are often associated with clerics. -
Late Medieval to Stuart Buckle Group
15th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £22
A mixed group of bronze buckles and buckle-frames, plaques and other fittings. 327 grams total, 16-54 mm
Found Suffolk. -
English Medieval Vesica-Shaped Seal Matrix with 'O Lamb of God, who takes away offences, have mercy upon me'
Early 14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £293
A bronze vesica-shaped seal matrix with loop to the reverse; central standing nimbate figure of St John the Baptist in loose robe supporting a figure of the Agnus Dei in one hand and pointing to it with the other; Lombardic script text between beaded borders '+ AGNE DEI MISERERE · MEI · QVI · CRIMINA · TOLL' (O Lamb of God who takes away offences, have mercy on me). 15.2 grams, 36 mm
The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s. Matrix Collection catalogue no.907. Many of the seals within the collection were published in a book titled 'The Matrix Collection', by David Morris in 2012. Accompanied by a copy of the illustrated collection notes.
The legend is a paraphrase of John 1:29 where 'peccatum' (sins) stands instead of 'crimina' (offences).
