Recently Sold (PGR115)

Sagittarii - Medieval 13th - 14th Century Rare Museum Quality 'Eric Knowles Hoard' Bronze Archers Ring. This amazing ring is crafted from bronze, featuring a Medieval "V"design (which is a characteristic of an archers ring), exquisite engravings, and quality craftsmanship. This is a rare and fantastic find, worn by Medieval archers on the thumb. The ring would protect the archers thumb when using the crossbow. This particular example is superb with its beautiful aged bronze patina, detail and condition. It has an etched border of diagonal lines enclosing a lozenge and foliage design. This Museum quality piece would make a very special gift or addition to any antiquity or jewelry collection.  

Comments: Archers rings have been found made of many materials, including jade, base metals, silver and even glass, Their shape varied but all protected the thumb on the string hand. It may have been used with conjunction with leather much as a modern archer's finger guard would have been. It was used on the pad of the thumb in combination with the index finger to hold the string and arrow in place before letting loose. This example has a slight groove worn into the surface. Jewelled forms have been found but these are unlikely to have been used in battle and were probably for show. This particular piece is in very fine condition and was most likely used in battle. 

Note: Sagittarii is the Latin term for archers.  The term sagittariorum in the title or cavalry unit indicates a specialized archer regiment.

The zodiac sign 'Sagittarius' is known as the archer. 

Eric Knowles: As well as being a recognised expert in his chosen field, Eric Knowles is a well-known face in the world of antiques, particularly to viewers of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow. He appears to be one of those rare individuals who is able to share his considerable knowledge in a way that is exciting and easy to understand. He was born in Nelson in 1953 and worked in both engineering and for a firm of antique shippers in the early 1970’s. His love of antiques, inherited from his parents, came to the fore in 1976, when he joined Bonham’s, the London auctioneers, working first as a porter in the ceramics’ department, before becoming head of the department in 1981.

Eric Knowles - a leading authority

In 1985, he was offered a full directorship at Bonham's. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Eric Knowles has become a leading authority in the following fields: European and Oriental Ceramics from the Seventeenth to the Twentieth Century; the glass of Tiffany and Lalique; and Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Decorative Arts. Today he looks after museum liaison and several of his finds can now be seen in national museums. Since January 2009 Eric has since become independent of Bonhams and offers his own valuation service.

Whilst employed there he was responsible for museum liaison.

Eric is presently to be seen on BBC2’s most popular programme ‘Put your money where your mouth is’ and alongside Sandi Toksvig on ‘Antique Master’ searching for the UK’s top amateur antique expert. Other appearances include The Twentieth Century Roadshow, Crimewatch UK, Going For A Song, The Great Antiques Hunt and The Antique Inspectors.  He was a contestant on Celebrity Mastermind Christmas Special in 2004 where he narrowly missed winning the trophy by 2 points! 

He has also been involved with an historical renovation series for Discovery Home & Leisure called The House That Mackintosh Built, property series Period Property and Restoration Man. 

As well as presenting and appearing on radio (including regular appearances on Radio 2) and TV, he has written books on subjects such as Victoriana, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Royal Memorabilia. But his real claim to fame and immortality is the Eric Knowles character jug produced by Royal Doulton pottery.

In 2005 he became the resident Sunday Times Antiques Expert, and he remains a frequent contributor to the BBC Homes and Antiques magazine and ARC online magazine and has written several articles for The Sunday Times newspaper.

Eric is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and has lectured extensively in the UK at such renowned museums as the Victoria and Albert and the British Museum and he has also lectured in both the USA and Canada. He is also the guest lecturer at The University of Central Lancashire and Solent University, Southampton, and a patron of several charities and is called upon to present Duke of Edinburgh Awards at both St James' and Buckingham Palace.

Eric is also a long time ambassador for the Princes Trust.

Care: Gently wipe with soft cloth. Do not polish or immerse into any liquid.  It is important to keep a piece of this calibre in its original condition. 

Measurements: Ring (outer measurements 41.50 mm x 30.00 mm 

Weight: 13.53 grams 

Ring Size: 15

Condition: Excellent   Note: Artifacts should be treated as a luxury item. Can be worn with care.  Comments: This is a museum quality piece, it can be displayed, and worn gently on a leatherette cord around the deck or on the hand. It should worn with great care to preserve the integrity of the piece.  Outstanding item! 

Origin: Europe     Provenance: England, Kent      From the Eric Knowles Hoard.  

Date:  13th - 14th Century