MEDIEVAL BOOK FITTING

1175

A copper alloy book fitting or furniture fitting. Comprising an appliqué male figure, probably a saint, worn and corroded and bent in half. A hollow backed half-round standing figure with fully-round head, cast features, and settings missing from the eyes. The folds of his robes form cells for enamel, with decayed greenish white and white traces surviving. Details of the figure’s dress are obscured by a secondary fold forward of the head and the upper part onto the lower face. However there appears to be a rectangular panel on the figure’s breast, possibly a book, above oblique lines, possibly an arm or hand. The semi-circular base of the robe is chamfered. Measures 25mm x (unbent) 72mm. The figure is pierced by two rivet-holes. Cf. the drawing of a similar although incomplete figure (head missing) from Hevingham (HER 7633) and a more complete example from Swaffham (HER 28567), the digit of another complete but distorted figure from Wiggenhall St Germans (HER 22102), and Enamels of Limoges 1100-1350 (1996), no.49 for a figure of Christ with the folds of His robes enamelled in a similar manner. Late 12th-early 13th century.