French, Limoges, circa 1210-1230 | Châsse with the Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket
Estimate:
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
Property from a Private Collection
Estimate:
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
Lot sold:
50,400
GBP
Property from a Private Collection
French, Limoges, circa 1210-1230
Châsse with the Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket
partially gilt and champlevé enamelled copper, on a partial wood core
the upper plaque on the front, the lower plaque on the reverse, and the comb are later replacements
15.8 by 15.2 by 5.6cm., 6¼ by 6 by 2¼in. overall
The lower section at the back and the comb are later replacements. The upper section at the front is also either later or associated. Otherwise the condition is good, with some wear and minor surface dirt consistent with age. There are some losses to the enamel in the martyrdom panel, notably to the background on the left side and the upper right corner and the altar. Further minor losses to the enamel on the other panels. There is minor stable craquelure to the enamel consistent with the material. The nail on the upper left corner of the martyrdom panel is replaced. There is wear to the metal, including some warping and dents as well as rubbing to the gilding. There is evidence of past worming to the partial wood core.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.
L. Guibert, Exposition retrospective de Limoges, 1886, pl. VIII;
S. Caudron, 'Les châsses reliquaires de Thomas Becket émaillées à Limoges', in Bulletin de la Société archéologique et historique du Limousin, vol. CXXI, 1993, pp. 66, 71 and 78;
S. Caudron and V. Notin, Thomas Becket et l'Oeuvre de Limoges (CD-rom, Corpus des Emaux méridionaux), Limoges, 2011, no. 45