THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN 
A GOLD CIRCLE BROOCH

ENGLISH, SECOND HALF 13TH CENTURY

细节
A GOLD CIRCLE BROOCH
ENGLISH, SECOND HALF 13TH CENTURY

Set with five cabochon garnets; inscribed on the front 'IVA MTI N ANI' and on the reverse 'AMOR IUNTUANU NTUI'.
Minor damages; one garnet lacking.
1½ in. (3.8 cm.) wide

拍品专文

Ring brooches were an indispensable part of mediaeval dress, functioning both as ornament and, often, as a clasp to hold together the neck of a cloak or tunic. The present example is particularly rich in its materials, and was almost certainly presented as a love token to its owner, in view of the inclusion of the Latin word amor in the inscription. The rest of the inscription has, unfortunately, proved impossible to decipher. It is likely that the engraver had no knowledge of Latin himself, and became confused when transcribing it. For a variety of other ring brooches of the period, see London, Royal Academy, Age of Chivalry, 6 November 1987 - 6 March 1988, nos. 641-653.