One of these works offered at Pierre Bergé & Associes (25/21/18% buyer’s premium) on January 27 was of English origin: a small ornament from a horse harness dated to c.1300 formed as a knight on horseback.
The 3½x 4¼in (9 x 11 cm) copper plaque would have been attached to the armour with its armorials indicating the identity of the owner.
The arms on this piece, which had a provenance to a private collection in Morbihan, show it belonged to the first Baron de la Zouche who fought against Gascony alongside Edward I in October 1288.
Estimated at €20,000-25,000, it ended up going to the museum for €44,000 (£40,000).
Reliquary pendant from c.1500 pre-empted by the Cluny Museum for €6200 (£5635) at Pierre Bergé & Associés.
The museum’s other purchase at €6200 (£5635) was a 3½in (9cm) high early 16th century lantern-shaped reliquary pendant made in Nuremberg, c.1500.
It contained a scene of the crucified Christ and three knights on horseback with their spears pointed towards him and saints Catherine, Margaret and Christopher.
