**Originally Listed At $250**
Northern Europe, Great Britain, England, Late Medieval / Early Renaissance, ca. 15th to 17th century CE. A fabulous pair of pewter livery badges, accompanied by a brass lock. Both made of pewter, the livery badges display the form of miniature crossbows with curved limbs and lengthy bodies decorated with target-motifs. Livery badges were traditionally worn to show that one had an allegiance to or was property of an individual or family from the Medieval period up to the 19th century. As evident by their crossbow shape, these badges were likely worn by members of the bowyers guild which consisted of people who made bows and crossbows. Alternatively, the brass lock displays a rectangular form with a risen vertical strip decorated with an "X" pattern at the center of the front and back. A series of 8 target-motifs adorn the body, as the shackle arches high above. Size (of largest): 2.5" L x 1.75" W (6.4 cm x 4.4 cm)
Provenance: ex-Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#158708
Condition
Neither badge is wearable, and lock is missing key and stuck closed. Larger badge repaired from 3 pieces and missing small area of string. Abrasions to peripheries of badges. Encrustations to shackle. Nice patina throughout.