A cast copper-alloy horse harness pendant, in the form of a ‘heater’ shield, circa 14th century in date. The face of the pendant is decorated with a heraldic device of a stag or perhaps a crowned lion walking left, its head picked out in red Champlevé enamel, the body in blue, green and white. The surface was originally silvered, with a small amount still extant. This pendant could have decorated the harness of a medieval destrier, or perhaps a ecclesiastical official’s horse. Contemporary manuscript illustrations show horses decorated with many of these pendants, suspended in series to spectacular visual effect. A passage from the prologue of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales describes the sound they made:

"His bridle, when he rode, a man might hear Jingling in a whistling wind as clear, Aye, and as loud as does the chapel bell Where my lord Monk was Prior of the cell."

An unusually complete and visually striking example, still retaining its original hanger and full enamel. A wonderful relic from the age of chivalry and courtly romance. Found by metal detectorist in West Sussex.

Dimensions: 59 mm x 28 mm.

Reference: Benet's Artefacts of England and the United Kingdom, Third Edition: M08-0316.