LIMOGES, LATE 12TH/EARLY 13TH CENTURY

Details

A pierced parcel-gilt enamelled roundel of two fantastical beasts
LIMOGES, LATE 12TH/EARLY 13TH CENTURY
The battling beasts set within a band decorated with scrolling foliage
8.2 cm. diam.

Special notice

On occasion, Christie's has a direct financial interest in lots consigned for sale which may include guaranteeing a minimum price or making an advance to the consignor that is secured solely by consigned property. This is such a lot. This indicates both in cases where Christie's holds the financial interest on its own, and in cases where Christie's has financed all or a part of such interest through a third party. Such third parties generally benefit financially if a guaranteed lot is sold successfully and may incur a loss if the sale is not successful. Christie’s charges a premium to the buyer on the Hammer Price of each lot sold at the following rates: 29.75% of the Hammer Price of each lot up to and including €5,000, plus 23.8% of the Hammer Price between €5,001 and €400,000, plus 14.28% of any amount in excess of €400,001. Buyer’s premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.

Lot Essay

This roundel, with its central motif of finely engraved fantastical beasts in battle, would originally have adorned a large casket. A pair of closely comparable examples, taken from a casket which was in the possession of Cardinal Guala Bicchieri at his death in 1227, was sold from the Keir Collection (Sotheby's, New York, 20 November 1997, lot 41, sold for $78,000).

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