MEDIEVAL HARNESS PENDANT

1066

Medieval gilt and enamelled horse harness pendant in the form of an equal-armed cross with an obliquely set fleur-de-lis in each angle. The suspension loop projects from the top arm and the foot is pierced by a hole that may have held a rivet. Fine engraving is visible on each arm. Or an eagle displayed Sable (on a shield set within a rectangular zone of stamped annulets with a pair of fleur-de-lis set obliquely at the base). Perhaps for Richard, Earl of Cornwall, younger brother of Henry III, who was elected King of the Romans in 1257 and died in 1272. An almost identical pendant was found in Sporle with Palgrave (Ashley, S. EAA 101, fig. 23 no. 236).