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LOT 0378
'The Fressingfield' Medieval Gold Ring with Diamond
LATE 14TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (0.77 grams, 22.70 mm overall, 17.24 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)).
With plain circular hoop and square diamond-shaped bezel with replicant natural diamond crystal.
ProvenanceFound whilst searching with a metal detector near Fressingfield, Suffolk, UK, in September 2020 by David Steadman.
Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report with reference no.SF-709FC0.
Accompanied by a copy of the Treasure Report for H M Coroner with reference no.2020T788.
Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum explaining that the Crown's interest in this find has been disclaimed.
Cf. Egan, G. and Pritchard, F., Dress Accessories 1150-1450, 1991, p.327-327, fig.218, no.1610-1614, illustrate five similar examples from excavations in London, all from deposits dating to the second half of the 14th century A.D.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Medieval Bronze Pendant with Magical Symbols
Circa 14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
The large round plaque with a grid of nine squares, each with enigmatic symbols within; the other side with a large Star of David with a smaller one inside; pierced for suspension. 34.5 grams, 42 mm
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of a Surrey, UK, collector. -
Medieval Terracotta Pilgrim's Horn
Circa 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Formed with a slightly curved profile and with suspension loops; buff-coloured. 298 grams, 26.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
Apart from badges as souvenirs of visits to various saints’ shrines, pilgrims might also bear away with them various noise-making items such as horns, whistles, rattles and bells. The miniature horn-shaped lead whistles known from London and Salisbury bear various inscriptions including bla me [blow me] and ave maria. In the contemporary ‘morality’ play Mankind (c.1465-70) of East Anglian provenance, the character Nought says I kan pype in a Walsyngham wystyll, which suggests that such souvenir whistles were available from the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham too, and that already such ‘tourist’ trinkets were regarded as a proverbial type of worthlessness, ‘not worth a whistle’, indeed. -
Medieval Lead Pilgrim's Holy Water Ampulla
Circa 14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With scallop detailing to one face of the bulb, hatched panel to the reverse with crowned 'S'. 46.7 grams, 57 mm
Found Norfolk, Southern England. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection. Accompanied by an old Norfolk Castle Museum record slip.
