Lead, 48.25 grams, 39.76 mm diameter, approx. 5 mm thickness. 14th century AD. A lead seal from a document issued by Pope Boniface IX. One face bears the name of the issuing Pope BONE/FATIVS/PP:VIIII within a circle of points, and the other the opposed profile heads of SS. Peter and Paul with a cruciform emblem between and a form of the identifying abbreviated legend 'SPASPE', (Sanctus Paulus Sanctus Petrus 'Saint Paul, Saint Peter'). Pope Bonifatius (Boniface) was born Piero Tomacelli, at Casarano in the kingdom of Naples in 1350. He was pope from 1389 until his death in 1404, while the antipope Clement VII (1378–94) continued to hold court as pope in the French city of Avignon under the protection of the French monarchy. Boniface's papacy is noted for his cautious and prudent style, regaining control of the chief castles of the Papal States. In England, the preaching of John Wyclif supported the opposition of the king and the ecclesiastical establishment to Boniface IX's granting vacant English benefices to his favourites in the Roman Curia. Papal favours were costly at this time, as the Vatican's revenues were depleted by the anti-pope. Very fine condition. Provenance: found Wiltshire, UK.

Lead, 38.17 grams, 36.81 mm dia., approx 4mm thickness. 13th century AD. A lead seal from a document issued by Pope Martin IV. The iconography of papal bulls has not altered since the time of Pope Pasquale II (1099-1118) - one face bears the name of the issuing Pope and the other the opposed profile heads of SS. Peter and Paul with a cruciform emblem between and a form of the identifying abbreviated legend 'SPASPE', (Sanctus Petrus Sanctus Paulus 'Saint Peter, Saint Paul') on the other. The present example shows on the recto the faces executed in low relief in a realistic style within a border of fine dots, below the legend. On the verso is the text MAR/TINUS/PP.IIII. Martin IV was a former chancellor of the French crown; during his tenure (1281-85) the papacy was embroiled in the rivalry between the Aragonese and Angevin states. The bulla is in good very fine condition with a sturdy, thick flan. Provenance: found Naburn, Yorkshire, England.

Silver, 7.36 grams, 34.02 mm. Circa 15th-16th century AD. An octofoil mount with slightly convex surface. The design includes a loosely-robed figure on a grassy plain within a ropework border. The figure i bearded, with a halo around his head pointing with his right hand to a lamb in his left hand, the lamb carrying a banner with a cross motif on a staff. The lamb is the 'agnus dei' (lamb of God), interpreted as Jesus, and the figure pointing to it is John the Baptist who foretold the arrival of Jesus. On the reverse, the attachment rivet is present. Reference: cf. belt mounts in Egan, G. and Pritchard, F. Dress Accessories, 1150-1450, London, 1991, item 1018. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy and silver, 3.35 grams, 26.78 mm. 13th-15th century AD. A composite strap end with plain sides and openwork foliage motifs on the upper edge of the outer faces; on the lower edge is a small loop by which a thread or tassel could be attached to the strap end. One face bears a foliage design in silver inlay, perhaps a thistle; on the other face, against a hatched background, is a human figure in silver inlay facing right with a halo around the head and a long frond in its right hand. Reference: cf. profile and construction of a composite strap end in Egan, G. and Pritchard, F. Dress Accessories, 1150-1450, London, 1991, item 704. Very fine condition. Provenance: found Wiltshire, England.

Copper-alloy, 65 grams, 49.84 mm. 12th-13th century AD. A hollow-cast openwork finial in the form of a 'Celtic' cross. The more decorative face comprises an openwork cross within a segmented circle; a quincunx of bosses mark the centre and four cardinal points. The edge (about 15mm across) is in chevron openwork. The rear face features four V-shaped recesses forming a cross within a wheel. The rectangular-section attachment slot is pierced by a single transverse iron rivet, still in place. Due to the cross symbolism on both faces, an ecclesiastical use is suggested, possibly as the finial to a processional staff. Reference: cf. similar item in London Museum Medieval Catalogue, reprinted Ipswich, 1993, p.23 (where it is described as a sword pommel). Very fine condition, minor damage to edge. Provenance: found Norfolk, England.

Copper-alloy and gilt, 19.25/37.12/21.61/17.10/11.45 grams, 60.78/59.70/58.88/58.61/40.48 mm. 12th century AD. A complete set of cast plaques for a devotional cross. The four T-shaped plaques were designed to be fixed to an altar cross, each provided with four fixing holes, their surfaces bearing figural decoration in champ levé technique (the enamel no longer present). A fifth plaque is rectangular with two fixing holes, with the letters IHS in champ levé. Some gilding remains on the decorative surfaces. Reference: Gauthier, M-M. & François, G. Catalogue International de l’Œuvre de Limoges, Paris, 1987. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Lead, 60.40 grams, 54.62 mm. Circa 15th century AD. A cast hollow lead ampulla with ribs around the lower end of the spout, made to contain holy water from a shrine. One side features blackletter script (perhaps 'IHN'?) and the other is plain. Reference: Mitchiner, M. Medieval Pilgrim & Secular Badges, pages 138-152. Good fine condition. Provenance: found Bishop's Stortford, Essex, England.

Copper-alloy, 25.47 grams, 32.38 mm. Circa 14th century AD. An interesting medieval pendant in the form of a shaggy ram or goat with a finely detailed head including curved horns, and the texture of the coat indicated by pecking. The figure has a base on which it stands comfortably, but is also provided with a suspension loop. Reference: cf. the many based animal figurines used in children's games in Forsyth, H. & Egan, G. Toys, Trifles & Trinkets - Base-Metal Miniatures From London 1200 to 1800, London, 2005. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection formed in the 1950's.