TWO PAIRS OF PLAQUES, 19TH CENTURY

Comprising one pair of carved oak plaques and one pair of cast lead relief medallions after a pair of 11th century medals found in the River Thames at Putney, or the "Billy and Charley forgeries." Together with a carved bone mirror. 5 pieces.

The Medieval-style lead medallions: Peter Tillou, New York
The carved oak plaques: Fiske & Freeman, Ipswich, Massachusetts.

Carved oak pair with small chips to edges. Cast lead medallions with surface scratches and wear. Bone mirror with 1 inch chip to left edge, now worn edges. Surface dirt and rubbing.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The "Billy and Charley forgeries" were a group of Medieval-style medallions produced in the nineteenth century by William Smith and Charles Eaton. Around 1845, the pair began their careers by searching for items of interest in the River Thames for the dealer William Edwards, but they progressed to producing counterfeit antiquities in 1857. Sometimes directly copying medieval items and sometimes inventing new designs, they sold their items through dealers but were exposed by Henry Cuming, a collector, in 1858.