Finely knapped and polished tongue-shaped blade embedded in a more recent antler handle with chisel finial. 134 grams, 23.1 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

With raised flange to the rim, carinated boss and stepped knop finial; loop to reverse. 30.6 grams, 60 mm



Ex German collection, acquired before 2000. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Formed with two spirals of single wire flanking a ring composed of several coils. 21.96 grams, 56.64 mm overall, 16.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K 1/2, USA 5 1/2, Europe 10.58, Japan 10)



Private collection, Europe, before 1990. Acquired on the Austrian art market, 2001. Private collection, Europe.

Composed of an openwork discoid head and triangular lug, stylised. 12.4 grams, 34 mm



Part of the Sutton-on-Trent 'treasure'; found Sutton-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, UK. Ex Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s. Collection number CE62.

Corieltauvi coins are teeming with such hidden faces, though they are often more difficult to discern than this miniature facial masterpiece. On 19 May 2009 Chris Rudd received images of a Celtic tankard handle and other objects that had been found inside the remains of a late Iron Age or early Romano-British cauldron or bucket that had been unearthed on a farm near Sutton-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. Recognising the significance of the hoard, he advised that it should be reported to the local PAS finds liaison officer, but also added that if a museum did not acquire the hoard, that he would be keen to buy it. The hoard was reported to FLO Rachel Atherton and then examined at the British Museum. Two years later Chris was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to purchase the hoard for his own collection, including the 'jewel' in the bucket - the Sutton-on-Trent Tankard Handle.

Substantial fitting with round-section elliptical loop, ribbed transverse collar at the base. 196 grams, 82 mm



Found North Yorkshire, UK. Ex Yorkshire, UK, collection.

With openwork bifacial handle depicting central standing figure with arms outstretched towards the necks of two flanking rampant beasts; iron blade beneath; Finno-Ugric type. 58 grams, 60 mm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Modelled in the half-round, advancing figure with bent legs and holding a drinking horn. 7.62 grams, 37 mm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

With dentilled rim and profile bust with cross in imitation of a coin design. 8.2 grams, 28 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the early 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Displaying a symmetrical openwork design of birds within a vinescroll; attachment pin to the reverse. 12.4 grams, 44 mm



Found Winteringham, Humberside, UK, in 1986.

Formed as an openwork outer shell, inner container and bottom plate; the upper face with central conical boss and four small satellite bosses each with a silver surface disc; to the outer face four pierced tongue-shaped panels with D-shaped finials proud of the upper face, each with a silvered element to the upper end; the bottom plate with integral catchplate and central void, four attachment pins to the underside; the upper face and sidewall executed in Urnes style zoomorphic openwork; the inner element a plain sheet-bronze container. 95 grams, 55 mm



Acquired in the 1950s. Ex private collection, South West England.

On the Baltic island of Gotland, high-ranking females wore 'box' (or 'drum') brooches to secure their outer garments at the shoulders. The inner container may have been used to hold small valuables.

Lentoid in section with thick-cut teeth to one edge and fine-cut to the other. 15.09 grams, 82 mm



Ex private central European collection. with Tkalec AG, Limmatquai 48, Zurich, early 2000s. Acquired from the above, 2006.

Comprising three shallow-domed plate brooches each with low-relief zoomorphic ornament and a narrow ledged rim; to the reverse, a small catch and T-shaped pin-lug; one with textile remains in situ. 140 grams total, 77-80 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.