Bonhams to Auction Rare 15th-Century Royal Heraldic Embroideries, Est. £200,000-300,000
The Facts
A pair of late medieval royal heraldic embroideries, dating from the mid to late 15th century, will be offered at auction for the first time at Bonhams Fine Decorative Arts sale in London on 2 July 2026. The panels, wrought in silver and gold thread and rich silks, each depict a three-towered castle likely representing the Kingdom of Castile, with a crowned figure emerging from a tower. They carry an estimate of £200,000-300,000. Radiocarbon dating and silver testing place the embroideries before 1600, with art historical evidence suggesting a date range of 1460–1520, and they are believed to have been used for ceremonial functions, possibly as coffin shrouds or banners.
The Signal
The embroideries are a rare survival from the period, linking Islamic weaving techniques from Al-Andalus with English and Castilian royal iconography. The figures may represent the Castilian kings Henry IV and John II, connecting the pieces to the dynastic ambitions of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. For collectors of medieval textiles and royal artifacts, the consignment offers a tangible piece of 15th-century political history, with the estimate reflecting the extreme rarity of such heraldic needlework on the market. The sale underscores Bonhams' strength in decorative arts that bridge European and Islamic traditions.
- People: Oliver Cornish, Henry IV of Castile, John II of Castile, John of Gaunt
- Auction Houses: Bonhams
- Locations: London
- Prices: £200,000-300,000
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