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LOT 0304
Romanesque Limestone Capital with Reef Knot
VISIGOTHIC STYLE, 12TH CENTURY A.D.
20 1/4 in. (74 kg total, 51.5 cm high including stand).
Pillar capital for an architectural column or pier decorated with dense vegetation motifs, tapering swags or garlands; reef-knot motif and leaves above; unworked to the reverse.
ProvenanceEx French collection.
Holz Artles, 25 April 2015, no.83.
Private collection, Kensington, London.
Private collection, UK.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13383-259007.
See Toman, R., Romanesque Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Cologne, 1997, p.31, for discussion.
FootnotesThis finely carved capital belongs to a group of Romanesque capitals known as knotwork capitals, widespread in the South of France and North of Spain, where the influence of the architecture of the old Visigothic Kingdom was still strong. These capitals probably originate in one of the most famous sculpture workshops of Romanesque France. The base of the capital is topped by a row of abstractly sculpted acanthus leaves. The dominant section of the capital is decorated with stylised knotwork, composed of ornament that entwine and end in folded acanthus leaves. In between the entwined branches, there is more foliage forming the ‘head of a monster’ which playfully animates the sculpture.
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LOT 0304
Romanesque Limestone Capital with Reef Knot
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000€6,960 - 9,280 (for guidance only)$8,100 - 10,800 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£3,000 (EUR 3,480; USD 4,050) +BP*
-
Medieval Knight's Enamelled Bronze Heraldic Horse Harness Pendant
Circa 13th-14th century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Heater-shaped with pierced suspension lug above; enamelled field in undy (wavy) lines with label in chief. 8.69 grams, 42 mm
From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
The label was applied over the family arms to denote the first son during his father's lifetime. -
Medieval Bronze Seal Matrix with Pair of Birds
14th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Vesica-shaped with a loop on the reverse, two birds flanking a tree at the centre, and the inscription likely reading ‘SIGILLVMS : EERETI’ for 'SIGILLVM SECRETI' (private seal)'. 7.66 grams, 30 mm
Acquired on the European art market. -
Medieval Gold Ring Brooch with Beast Heads
13th century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Annular brooch decorated with leopard heads, each originally with gem-set eyes, with two blue glass cabochons on each side of the pin. 1.18 grams, 14 mm
From the collection of Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
An annular brooch is a type of brooch that is circular in shape, forming a complete ring. They were worn by both men and women of all social classes. The word 'annular' comes from the Latin word 'annulus', meaning ring. These brooches were popular in medieval Europe, particularly from the 13th to 15th centuries, and were used to fasten clothing such as tunics and cloaks.
