Medieval Limoges Buckle plate with Leopard
15
days
12
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50
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47
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€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
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Estimate € 850 - € 1,000
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Medieval Limoges square gilt copper-alloy enamel buckle plate featuring a standing leopard in high relief, about 30.6 × 31 mm, dating to the 13th century and in very good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Medieval Limoges square shaped gilt copper-alloy and enamelled buckle plate. Decorated with a finely detailed standing facing Leopard with tail swept upwards. The animal is rendered in high relief with a dynamic, stylised pose, characteristic of Limoges metalwork. Plain reverse side with integral fixing points and perforations for attachment to a leather strap.
Limoges enamel fittings of this type were widely prized in medieval Europe, with animal motifs such as the leopard valued for their heraldic and symbolic associations.
Size: ± 30,6 x 31 mm
Condition: in very good condition. The front retains areas of the original gilding, with surviving traces of coloured champlevé enamel within the recessed fields. The surface shows signs of wear, consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
Limoges enamel refers to finely crafted copper-alloy objects decorated with vitreous enamel, produced in and around the city of Limoges in central France, primarily during the 12th and 13th centuries. Using the champlevé technique, designs were carved into the metal, filled with coloured enamel, and often enhanced with gilding. These works were widely prized in the medieval period and remain highly valued and sought-after by collectors in the present day.
LEOPARD
In the medieval period (12th–13th century) the leopard carried strong symbolic and heraldic meanings, particularly in Western Europe.
The leopard was associated with power, courage and martial strength, and was often used to signify a fierce yet controlled warrior spirit. In medieval bestiaries, the leopard was described as swift, noble and formidable, combining the strength of the lion with agility and speed. Because of these qualities, it became a popular emblem among the nobility.
In heraldic contexts, the leopard was also linked to authority, vigilance and dominance, and was commonly employed on arms, belts and fittings worn by elite individuals. Its presence on personal items such as buckles or mounts could serve as a statement of status, lineage and chivalric identity.
As a result, leopard imagery on Limoges enamel fittings would have been both decorative and symbolic, reinforcing ideals of nobility, strength and prestige valued in medieval society.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Medieval Limoges square shaped gilt copper-alloy and enamelled buckle plate. Decorated with a finely detailed standing facing Leopard with tail swept upwards. The animal is rendered in high relief with a dynamic, stylised pose, characteristic of Limoges metalwork. Plain reverse side with integral fixing points and perforations for attachment to a leather strap.
Limoges enamel fittings of this type were widely prized in medieval Europe, with animal motifs such as the leopard valued for their heraldic and symbolic associations.
Size: ± 30,6 x 31 mm
Condition: in very good condition. The front retains areas of the original gilding, with surviving traces of coloured champlevé enamel within the recessed fields. The surface shows signs of wear, consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
Limoges enamel refers to finely crafted copper-alloy objects decorated with vitreous enamel, produced in and around the city of Limoges in central France, primarily during the 12th and 13th centuries. Using the champlevé technique, designs were carved into the metal, filled with coloured enamel, and often enhanced with gilding. These works were widely prized in the medieval period and remain highly valued and sought-after by collectors in the present day.
LEOPARD
In the medieval period (12th–13th century) the leopard carried strong symbolic and heraldic meanings, particularly in Western Europe.
The leopard was associated with power, courage and martial strength, and was often used to signify a fierce yet controlled warrior spirit. In medieval bestiaries, the leopard was described as swift, noble and formidable, combining the strength of the lion with agility and speed. Because of these qualities, it became a popular emblem among the nobility.
In heraldic contexts, the leopard was also linked to authority, vigilance and dominance, and was commonly employed on arms, belts and fittings worn by elite individuals. Its presence on personal items such as buckles or mounts could serve as a statement of status, lineage and chivalric identity.
As a result, leopard imagery on Limoges enamel fittings would have been both decorative and symbolic, reinforcing ideals of nobility, strength and prestige valued in medieval society.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Medieval
Century/ Timeframe
13th century
Name of object
Limoges Buckle plate with Leopard
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2024
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2024
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
