European, possibly 12th century and 15th century

John Hunt (1900-1975) and Gertrude Hunt (1903-1995);
Thence by descent to the present owners

Maidstone (Kent), Leeds Castle, on loan until 2022

The wood and stone elements of this intriguing portable altar could date from as early as the 11th or 12th century. Mount holes indicate that the object may represent the top section of a box-shaped portable altar such as a 12th-century example from Hildesheim (Dom-Museum Hildesheim, inv. no. DS 25). A portable altar with feet from circa 1100 in the Musei del Duomo di Modena is inlaid with a similar serpentine stone slab. The gilt copper mounts with fleurs-de-lis and other floral motifs are likely to have been added in the 14th or 15th century. Similar motifs appear in the 14th-century embossed bands incorporated into the portable altar (circa 1100) of Saint Foy in Conques.