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LOT 0307
'The Purbeck' Medieval Gold Ring with Ruby
15TH-16TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (2.41 grams, 24.20 mm overall, 17.40 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)).
A gold finger ring comprising a slender hoop developing to claw-shaped shoulders with reserved acanthus motif on a pounced field; tall pie-dish bezel with recessed sides, claw setting for the gemstone; repaired and polished, absent original stone replaced with a facetted ruby. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound whilst searching with a metal detector in Purbeck, Dorset, UK, in 2019.
Declared as Treasure and disclaimed with treasure reference 2020 T34.
Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher.
Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.DOR-C7C656.
Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum disclaiming the Crown's interest in the ring.
Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 675, for type.
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 and later Thimble Group
14th-15th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £91
A mixed group of bronze thimbles including beehive, ring and other types. 95 grams total, 12-22 mm
Found Suffolk. -
Published Medieval 'Thames' Saint Blaise of Canterbury Pilgrim's Badge
Circa 14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
An openwork lead pilgrim's badge displaying the wool-combe emblem of St Blaise of Canterbury within a pelletted roundel; complete with pin. 2.92 grams, 30 mm
Found on the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.
St 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. -
English Medieval Heraldic Chessman Type Tax Collector's Seal Matrix for Customs Duty on Cloth
Circa 14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
A bronze chessman-type seal matrix with pierced trefoil finial; hatched field with reserved heater shield bearing a Lombardic capital 'G', band to the rim with incuse legend "* S' : CVSTVME : PANNORVM:". 28.1 grams, 37 mm
The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s. Found Romney Marsh, Kent, UK, on Monday 1st December 2008 by Graham Collard. Matrix Collection catalogue no.4604. 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. Accompanied by a copy of the UK Detector Finds Database record entry no.16201.
The seal relates to the payment of duty (custume) on imported cloth, and was presumably used by a customs official.