£15,500
AN IMPORTANT GROUP OF LIMOGES CHAMPLEVE ENAMEL GEMELLIONS FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION.
Limoges patinated gilt-copper and polychrome champlevé enamel gemellion, circa 1200-1250, of shallow circular form, decorated with the shield-shaped arms of three lion rampant, reserved on a scroll pattern ground within a circular cartouche, within a border of six shield-shaped coat-of-arms and foliate motifs within similar cartouches, the reverse engraved with a central flowerhead roundel flanked by swags and fleur-de-lys, 23cm diam.
Provenance
By repute Hever Castle, Kent and thence by descent to the present owner.
Heraldic devices can be seen on approximately three quarters of all known gemellions although many of these are used purely as a decorative device. The central coat-of-arms seen here references the Angevin Empire and the House of Plantagenet. Originating in Anjou, by the 12th and 13th centuries this Royal house ruled over large parts of France and the British Isles. The border design includes the coat-of-arms of the provinces of Lusignan, Turenne and Provence. These also appear on the heraldic gemellion in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York, illustrated by M. Gauthier, B Barriere et. al., Enamels of Limoges 1100-1350, The Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1996, cat. no. 132.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
32.4% inc VAT*
Flat Fee Registration
28.80% inc VAT*
