THE BURRADON SAPPHIRE RING

47

A MEDIEVAL LATE 13TH/EARLY 14TH CENTURY GOLD AND SAPPHIRE SET STIRRUP RING, the hoop of ‘D’ shaped cross-section, the yellow gold ring with raised triangular-shaped bezel centred at the apex with a cabochon sub-triangular shaped sapphire, the bezel at to one side, and angled to the opposing side following the outline of the sapphire, diameter 20mm, width 3mm, ring size approximately R £5,000–£7,000

Provenance: This ring was discovered by a metal detectorist in Burradon in Northumberland in 2021. It has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database Ref: NCL-ACC8FB and disclaimed as Treasure, Ref. 2021 T252. Burradon was formerly in the parish of Alwinton where the church of St Michael and All Angels dates from the early Norman period, but fell into disrepair in the 15th century. To the south east of Burradon is the market town of Rothbury, founded in 1291, which was the centre for selling livestock and wool.

48

A 15TH CENTURY SILVER GILT ICONOGRAPHIC RING, the hoop with at inner section, the moulded ridge above centred with a rectangular concave panel between two transverse ridges, incised with a crowned female gure, possibly St. Margaret of Antioch, holding a cross in her right hand, her left hand held against her chest, between incised upright foliate detail, the foliage extending down the shoulders to either side of a central ridge of pellets continuing around the shank, shank misshapen, diameter 22mm.

Provenance: This ring was discovered by a metal detectorist in 2014. It has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database Ref: ESS-0544C7 and disclaimed as Treasure, Ref. 2014T585.

St. Margaret of Antioch was the patron of childbirth and pregnant women. She is honoured with a Feast Day on 20 July.

All lots are subject to extra charges which may be viewed in Ts and Cs 3, 4, 5 and 10 at the back of this catalogue.