Lot Essay
The Corpus Christi is attached to a vellum wrapping which outlines the provenance to King John's tomb. The tomb was opened by John Bale in 1529 and again in the course of building works on 17 July 1797. Bale wrote a latin poem on his opening and his autograph manuscript is at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge. It describes the contents in considerable detail. The 18th century opening is also recorded in detail. It has to be admitted that in neither account is the present object mentioned; however, Green (op. cit., p. 8) describes the chaotic circumstances of the excavation and it is tempting to believe that he might have overlooked this small item. This hypothesis is supported by the inscription on the vellum wrapping inscribed in sepia ink in a historicising script so typical of the period around 1800. In the late 18th century this Corpus Christi would have had considerable antiquarian interest, particularly in view of its alleged source, but scant pecunary value, so it is hard to discern the motive of the writer save that he was stating reality.
The style of the corpus figure relates to the late 12th century, but due to its rarity it is difficult to find precise comparables. Similarities can be seen in the face of a marble relief of St. Paul in the Ivychurch Priory, Wiltshire (Catalogue of Exhibition English Romanesque Art, oc. cit), but here the figure is still in the tradition of the slightly stiff Romanesque style of the 1160's, before the onset of the naturalism of the Transitional style. The 'apron-fold' of the perizonium and the large protuding knot at the side are typically English features, examples of which can be seen on a Crucifix figure of the second quarter of the 12th century in the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (London, Op. cit, p. 244). The corpus appears to be made of lead, a material used mostly in Enland at this time, also strengthening the supposition that it was made in this country during, or just before, the time of King John.
The style of the corpus figure relates to the late 12th century, but due to its rarity it is difficult to find precise comparables. Similarities can be seen in the face of a marble relief of St. Paul in the Ivychurch Priory, Wiltshire (Catalogue of Exhibition English Romanesque Art, oc. cit), but here the figure is still in the tradition of the slightly stiff Romanesque style of the 1160's, before the onset of the naturalism of the Transitional style. The 'apron-fold' of the perizonium and the large protuding knot at the side are typically English features, examples of which can be seen on a Crucifix figure of the second quarter of the 12th century in the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (London, Op. cit, p. 244). The corpus appears to be made of lead, a material used mostly in Enland at this time, also strengthening the supposition that it was made in this country during, or just before, the time of King John.