Romanesque Gilt Bronze Beast Mount

Of vesica shape and bearing the central device of a crouching squirrel with tail raised over its back and inscribed incuse and reversed +S'IO+h'IS+DE D+VhTO which may be interpreted as Seal of John of Duhto [an uncertain place or abbreviation of a place name]; the presence of multiple crosses within the inscription which do not appear to divide words is unusual; with raised loop to the reverse. 5.79 grams, 25 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in the former grounds of the preceptory at Temple Bruer with Temple High Grange, Lincolnshire, UK, by Steve Lane at 1pm on Sunday 5th February 2023. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report reference SWYOR-17DA60.

Vesica-shaped seal matrices are often associated with the clergy or others with religious connections so this matrix could be directly associated with the Knights Templar preceptory at Temple Bruer (founded in reign of Henry II) where it was found, or with a Templar visitor there; the appearance of four crosses to the inscription, in place of the more usual single cross at the start/finish of the wording (in this case at the head of the squirrel), is unusual and may be linked to the particular significance of crosses to the Knights Templar members.

Codex of vellum pages bound within leather covers with securing straps; each page with a block of ten lines of Coptic black-ink text in Greek letters with red highlighting; probably from Egypt. 296 grams, 11 x 8.5 cm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

Rectangular with lead cames in a regular frame with later suspension loops; painted central panel with standing nobleman in floor-length coat with tiered fur collar, chaperon hat, hand resting on the belt. 467 grams, 32 cm high



Ex The Monastery Stained Glass, Northamptonshire, UK, 2004. Ex central London gallery.