Ancient Art, Antiquities & Coins
Jun 1, 2019
United Kingdom
The May Fair Hotel, Stratton Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8LT, United Kingdom
Terms of sale
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LOT 2997:
Georgian Reversible-Headed Satirical Pipe Tamper
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Start price:
£
45
Estimated price:
$50 - $70
Auction house commission: 30%
VAT: 8.875% On commission only
Users from foreign countries may be exempted from tax payments, according to the relevant tax regulations
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Georgian Reversible-Headed Satirical Pipe Tamper
18th-19th century AD
A brass pipe tamper comprising a balustered shank and disc; bifacial medallion based on designs taken from an anti-clerical print featuring to one face bust of the pope reversed to reveal a bust of Satan, legend 'Ecclesia perversa tenet facie diaboli', to the other face bust of a cardinal reversed to reveal a fool in jester's cap, legend 'sapientes stulti aliquando'. 30.8 grams, 7cm (2 3/4"). Fine condition.
Provenance
Property of a Nottinghamshire collector; acquired in the 1980s.
Footnotes
This imagery deriving from the German Reformation resurfaced in England at the time of the anti-Catholic furore known as The Popish Plot (1680), but it seems likely that such items continued to be made throughout the 18 century.
