Bidspirit auction | Medieval 'Lamont Clan' Heraldic Horse

Medieval 'Lamont Clan' Heraldic Horse Harness Pendant - 13th-14th century AD A bronze harness pendant with integral pierced lobe, heater shield with reserved rampant lion on a blue enamel field, blazoned 'azure a lion rampant argent', attributed to the Clan Lamont. 18 grams, 46mm (1 3/4”). Fine condition. Provenance Property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. Footnotes The arms of Lamont appear in Rolland's Illustrations to the Armorial Général (reprinted 1967) volume IV plate XII as a quartered shield with lion rampant and a royal orb. The arms belong to the Scottish Clan Lamont, a Highland clan descended ultimately from the Irish Ua Néill (O' Neill) dynasty, believed to be one-time Kings of Ailech and descendants of the legendary figure Niall of the Nine Hostages who may have lived in the 5th century AD in Ulster. His tale features many miraculous elements which are common to medieval founder stories, including his birth having been kept secret and the baby exposed but rescued by a lowly figure (the poet Torna).