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LOT 1452
Tudor Silver Saint James Double Scallop Shell Dress Mount
16TH CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (1.24 grams, 12 mm).
A complete silver dress fitting or strap mount in the form of two conjoined scallop shells along one edge of a sub rectangular bar with sloping sides, the fitting with central perforation and two slender mounting lugs to reverse.
ProvenanceFound whilst searching with a metal detector by Kevin Ford on 1st March 2019 in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, UK.
Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Report (PAS) number OXON-86C7C3.
Accompanied by a letter to HM Coroner for Oxfordshire from the Oxfordshire Finds Liaison Officer (FLO) with treasure reference number 2019 T648.
British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Database, record id. OXON-86C7C3.
FootnotesThe scallop shell was associated with St. James and the pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, one of the most important pilgrimage centres in medieval Europe. The scallop shell became the symbol for pilgrimage more generally in this period. It is an overtly Catholic symbol which could have been worn with freedom before c. 1540, or in the period of the Marian revival of Catholicism from 1553-1558. Pilgrimage to the shrine at Compostela from England would have been interrupted by the English Reformation.
The PAS report notes that similar examples have been declared as treasure, including: KENT-FEE744 (2014 T641) and NLM-538148 (2010 T539), both dating to the 16th century A.D.
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LOT 1452
Tudor Silver Saint James Double Scallop Shell Dress Mount
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
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Ancient Style Object Group
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
A mixed group of archaistic items including a lapis lazuli cylinder seal, glazed composition scarab in white metal setting and other items. 507 grams total, 27-85mm
Acquired 1990s. Ex French collection. -
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A bronze lamp with broad discus and volute nozzle flanked by two horns; raised rim to the discus, concentric rings to the underside; long recurved handle with bifid connection to the body, developing to a eagle-head finial with curved beak and feather detailing. 140 grams, 12 cm
Acquired in Munich in the 1970s. From an old European collection. -
Ethiopian Triptych Icon with Mary and John the Evangelist
16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
A wooden triptych with recessed central panel and two folding doors; the central panel with crucifixion scene with robed Mary and John the Evangelist, another apostle and Mary Magdalen, two crucified thieves to the rear and the angels depicted collecting the blood of God in cups; underneath the Crucifixion scene Virgin Mary and the Child escorted by armed Saint Gabriel and Saint Michael, prophets to the sides; the left door with nude Adam and Eve reaching up to the Resurrection of Christ, beneath them three prophets; the right door with two saints (upper panel) and three prophets; left and right bottom panels with Saint George (Bet Giorgis) and military Saint Victor on horseback; Ethiopian Ge'ez script legends. 760 grams, 35.5 x 21.5 cm
Acquired on the London art market, 2003. UK private collection.
The icon shows the Western influence on Ethiopian art. The first element is the orb which the Child holds in his left hand and the second element is the pose of his right hand. The orb appeared in Ethiopian paintings around 1500 A.D. Moreover, his hand shows two fingers outstretched, the index and middle finger, and the two last fingers folded.
