​The Scottish Medieval Head

Crafted for the Present:

• Museum-Quality Replica: An authentic 1:1 historical reproduction cast directly from the original British artifact.

• Bench-Made to Order: Hand-forged to your exact specifications at our Leeds Corn Exchange workshop. Preserving the past, forging the future.

• Guaranteed Authenticity: Independently tested and legally hallmarked by the UK Assay Office in your choice of Solid Silver, 9ct, or 18ct Gold.

The History of the Find:

​Period: 13th – 15th Century (Late Medieval)

​Find Location: Scotland (Regional find)

Style: Anthropomorphic (Human-form) terminal or mount

Significance of the Design:

• In the Medieval world, objects often took on “living” forms. This piece features a stylized human face with prominent, heavy-lidded eyes, a bold nose, and a discernible smile. This “grotesque” or “mask” style was popular in both architecture and metalwork across Scotland and the North. While the exact function of this specific find is rare, it likely served as a terminal or mount for a high-status household object – perhaps the end of a folding scale, a vessel handle, or a decorative furniture fitting.

  In Medieval folklore, such faces were often considered protective spirits or “memento mori,” designed to ward off ill fortune from the object they adorned. The expressive, almost jovial nature of the face is characteristic of the secular art found in bustling Medieval Scottish burghs.

The Find: 

Discovered by a detectorist in Scotland, the original artifact is remarkably well-preserved. It was likely cast using the “lost wax” method, which allowed the Medieval smith to achieve such a high degree of character and three-dimensional detail.