Auction Highlights
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Egyptian Red Glass Face Inlay
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,640
A red glass insert of a profile face with remains of a pharaonic crown to the forehead. -
Egyptian Thoth as an Ibis with Maat
Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,500
A blue-glazed composition amulet in the form of an ibis (representing the god Thoth) seated on a wedge-shaped base, facing a figure of Maat appearing as a diminutive stooping female with an ostrich feather; some details to both figures rendered in a darker blue glaze; suspension loop to the rear of the bird's neck. -
Egyptian Bust of Ptah
Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,000
A white limestone figure of the god Ptah with false beard, wearing an enveloping cloak and a broad wesekh-collar, holding the shaft of a was sceptre; serene, oval face with almond-shaped eyes and fleshy lips; remnants of dorsal pillar to reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. -
Large Greek Hydria with Egg-and-Dart Motifs
Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,525
A spectacular bronze hydria composed of a tapering body, broad shoulder and waisted neck, the everted rim decorated with egg-and-dart motifs, three round-section handles and tiered, ogival foot; professionally restored. -
Large Greek Apulian Red-Figure Bell-Krater
Sold for (Inc. bp): £28,600
A red-figure terracotta bell-krater displaying polychrome figural panels between a laurel wreath and a band of Greek key motifs; side a) two robed male figures holding staffs, wearing a taenia or a band around the head, standing facing a central altar; side b) a woman wearing a chiton and holding a casket and olive sprig in her outstretched hands, advancing right towards a nude man standing right, his head turned towards her, holding a bucket and olive sprig, a cloak draped over his arm, elaborate volute palmettes beneath both handles; restored. -
Roman Military Eagle Staff Terminal
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
A free-standing bronze imperial or military eagle terminal from a staff or a sceptre, modelled in the round in a dynamic pose standing on a globe, wings spread, head turned to the right, semi-naturalistic anatomical and feather detailing; the globe bearing an incised eight-armed stylised Macedonian star; sub-triangular lug to back of the neck; collar to globe with hollow underside. -
'The Castleford Military Garrison' Romano-British 'Regio Lagitiensis' Inscribed Brooch
Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,940
The best example of only three examples of this type known, a copper-alloy knee brooch composed of a rectangular-section body, spring pin within bow plate and remains of catchplate to reverse; both sides of the body with two panels of Latin lettering moulded in relief: 'FIBUL[A] EX REG LAGITIENSE', translating to 'Brooch from the Regio Lagitiensis' (Roman Castleford); remains of blue glass enamelling to the recessed fields. -
Large 'King Nebuchadnezzar the Great' Brick from the Wall of Babylon
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,980
A large fired clay brick from the Wall of Babylon bearing six lines of stamped Babylonian cuneiform inscription to one face which reads: 'AG - ku -dur-ri-URU' / 'LUGAL ba-bi-lu' / 'za-ni-nu é-sag-ila' / 'u e-zi-da IBILA' / 'SAG.KAL. sa AG-IBILA-URU' / 'LUGAL ba-bi-lu ana-ku', which translates: 'Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who provides for Esagila and Ezida, the eldest son of Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, am I'; traces of bitumen on the blank side; accompanied by an old label which reads: 'Brick from the Wall of Babylon / Presented by W.Bro. Gentle-Cackett Secretary Bible Lands Mission / The impression records the fact that it was built by King Nebuchadnezzar [II]'. -
Roman Legionary Helmet with Wings of Jupiter
Sold for (Inc. bp): £52,000
A tinned sheet-bronze legionary helmet of Imperial Gallic Type A with deep rounded bowl, simple C-shaped cut-outs for the ears, integral flared neck-guard extending some way along the sides, corrugated ribs to the occipital area at the rear and corrugated 'wings' or eyebrows (Russel-Robinson's Type E) above the brow; small stud the rear of the neck-guard attaching suspension loops to the underside; hinged bracket at each temple for a deeply curved cheek-guard with gently flared rim, bearing a loop to the inner face to accept an vinculum fastening strap; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. -
Anglo-Saxon Gilt Chip-Carved Mount with Interlaced Panels
Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,240
A gilt copper-alloy mount composed of a broad annular body with slightly domed profile, the body quartered with each cell displaying a chip-carved interlace motif configured A:B:A:B; rim, edges and central cell with raised rim; rivet and flat-section mounting bar to reverse. -
'The Pershore' Anglo-Saxon Hanging Bowl Mount with Horse-Head
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
A bronze bowl mount or escutcheon comprising a discoid panel with gently curved profile and zoomorphic hook; the panel with reserved La Tène comma-leaf decoration on a pounced field (intended to receive enamel fill); the hook with median gusset to the outer face, horse-head finial, bulbous La Tène ornament at the base. -
'The Siddington' Impressive Anglo-Saxon Chip-Carved Saucer Brooch Pair
Sold for (Inc. bp): £24,700
A pair of large Early Anglo-Saxon gilt copper-alloy saucer brooches each comprising a broad (13mm+) angled flange surrounding a central disc with carinated border; outer zone comprising four arches subdivided by hatching to the inner edge and four C-shaped panels with triangular separators, inner zone separated by a carinated border, central disc with four radiating bilinear crescents; pin-lugs and catch to the reverse with traces of mineralised fabric. -
English Medieval Silver Chessman Type Seal Matrix for Stephen of Ale Lane
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,510
A silver chessman-type seal matrix with pierced trefoil head and knop above; central motif of a leopard statant gardant before a tree, pelletted border and blackletter legend '* sigillum [lozenge] steffani [cinquefoil cinquefoil] ale [cinquefoil lozenge] lane' (for 'seal of Stephen [at?] ale lane'). -
'The Bettiscombe' Medieval Gold 'Loyalty is Everything' Posy Ring
Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
An annular gold band with everted upper and lower lip, filigree ropework above and below each rim, with circumferential inscription to the recessed exterior face; of the five separate bands, the central one accommodating an applied strip of paler gold bearing a Medieval French blackletter inscription in relief, reading: '+loiautet (5 five cinquefoils) pas tout (5 five cinquefoils)', or 'Loyalty Passes All'; the inscription band may once have been enamelled; plain interior; the outer rim and twisted band on one edge are slightly bent; cleaned and repaired. -
Stuart Period Gold Renaissance Memento Mori Signet Ring with C.L. and Skull
Sold for (Inc. bp): £19,500
A substantial gold signet ring composed of a lentoid-section hoop, expanding capital style shaped shoulders and irregular octagonal bezel engraved with a skull, two flowers below separating the reversed initials in capitals: 'CL', framed by a beaded border. -
Marble Statue of Kneeling Venus
Sold for (Inc. bp): £14,950
A marble copy of the kneeling Venus (original in the Vatican Museums), crouching on an octagonal base; the arms raised in expressive pose, head tilted, hair drawn up in a chignon; lettering to base 'KNEELING VENUS' and 'ROME'.
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Egyptian Glass Bangle Fragment Group
Graeco-Roman Period, 332 B.C.-323 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
A mixed group of glass bangle fragments including polychrome and decoratively twisted examples; iridescence to the surfaces of most. 110 grams total, 16-82 mm
Acquired before 1979. From the private collection of Mr F. A., South Kensington, London, UK; thence by descent 2014. -
Egyptian Blue glazed Faience Cup with Hieroglyphs
Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, circa 664-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
A blue glazed composition chalice, with enigmatic hieroglyphs on the body in darker blue; mounted on an acrylic base. 36 grams total, 65 mm high including stand
From an old UK collection. From the private collection of Alf Baxendale (1941-2016) part 2, keen Egyptologist, member of the Egyptology Society, trustee of the Amarna Trust; thence by descent. Accompanied by an identification display card. Accompanied by a copy of his obituary published in Horizon, The Amarna Project and Amarna Trust newsletter, Issue 18, 2017, p.21, by Barry John Kemp, CBE, FBA, Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and directing excavations at Amarna in Egypt.
Probably a foundation deposit. -
Egyptian Black Burnished Ware Pilgrim's Flask
Graeco-Roman Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
A ceramic black burnished ware pilgrim's flask of discoid form, short neck with collar, body with raised concentric roundels to both faces. 296 grams, 15.8 cm high
Acquired in Egypt in 1960 whilst working at the British Council. Ex Andrews collection.
This resembles an Etruscan style bucchero impasto flask of circa 700-600 B.C., suggesting that this was an import into Egypt; a comparable example is in the Penn Museum (inventory no. MS 3431). -
Egyptian Ramesses III Period Scaraboid
New Kingdom, 1293-1240 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
A steatite scarab depicted in flight, with simple detailing to the body and legs; geometric motif engraved to base; pierced for suspension. 6.76 grams, 26 mm
From an old UK collection. From the private collection of Alf Baxendale (1941-2016) part 2, keen Egyptologist, member of the Egyptology Society, trustee of the Amarna Trust; thence by descent. Accompanied by an identification display card. Accompanied by a copy of his obituary published in Horizon, The Amarna Project and Amarna Trust newsletter, Issue 18, 2017, p.21, by Barry John Kemp, CBE, FBA, Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and directing excavations at Amarna in Egypt. -
Egyptian Bead Necklace with Scarab
Late Period, 664-525 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
A restrung necklace of composition beads of various types with polychrome glazes, together with a central scarab with seated deities to the base. 9.72 grams, 58 cm long
Ex early 20th century French collection. -
Egyptian Baboon-Headed Hapi Four Sons of Horus Amulet
Late Period, circa 500 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
A blue-glazed composition amulet formed as baboon-headed Hapi with stylised detailing to one face; two piercings for attachment or suspension. 7.13 grams, 78 mm
Fine condition.
From an old UK collection. Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the private collection of Alf Baxendale (1941-2016), keen Egyptologist, member of the Egyptology Society, trustee of the Amarna Trust; thence by descent. Accompanied by an identification display card. Accompanied by a copy of his obituary published in Horizon, The Amarna Project and Amarna Trust newsletter, Issue 18, 2017, p.21, by Barry John Kemp, CBE, FBA, Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and directing excavations at Amarna in Egypt.
Alf Baxendale (1941-2016), was a keen amateur Egyptologist, active from the 1960s. He was a good friend of Egyptologist Barry John Kemp who directs excavations at Amarna in Egypt. Alf helped raise funds for equipment and materials for the excavations since the 1980s, and also secured a major sponsorship from one of Britain’s leading brewers, Scottish and Newcastle. He was a member of the Egyptology Society, and became a founder trustee of the Amarna Trust in 2005. Alf bequeathed a major part of his extensive library to the Amarna Project’s offices in Cairo. -
Egyptian Lapis Lazuli Falcon-Head Scarab
Late Period, 664-343 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680
A lapis lazuli amuletic scarab with the falcon head of Ra with lappet headdress and broad collar; ribbed loop to the underside for suspension 6.9 grams, 25 mm
UK art market, prior 2000. English private collection.
This scarab was probably attached to the mummy, and its falcon head symbolising the sun-god Ra served to emphasise the solar aspect of the amulet, and give added potency to its regenerative power. -
Egyptian Bronze Goddess Bastet as Seated Cat
Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
A bronze figure of the cat goddess Bastet, squatting poised and alert with her tail wrapped close to right side of her body, seated on a tongue-shaped base, short lug below; accompanied by a custom-made display base. 137 grams total, 10 cm high including stand
Acquired 1980s. Private collection of L.H., Staffordshire, UK. Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher.
Bastet was a powerful goddess of Lower Egypt, one who was protective and could bring about great prosperity. Cat statuettes were among some of the most common zoomorphic dedications of the Late and Ptolemaic Periods. Small statuettes like this one would have been dedicated as offerings to temples or deposited in catacombs alongside cat mummies, as at the extensive catacombs at Bubastis and Saqqara. Sometimes larger hollow examples held a cat mummy inside. -
Egyptian Terracotta Eye of Horus Mould
New Kingdom, 1390-1069 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £152
A terracotta amulet mould with incuse sacred wedjat motif, with ducts either side for excess material and possibly to indicate the position of suspension holes added after moulding. 12.9 grams, 34 mm
Fine condition.
Ex UK art market, 1970s. Property of a London gentleman.
A comparable example from Thebes and dated to the 18th Dynasty is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession number 12.180.377). -
Phoenician and Later Glass Eye Bead collection
6th-3rd century B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £156
A mixed group of seven polychrome glass beads incorporating with circular or 'eye' and swirling motifs. 14.1 grams total, 10-13 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s. Property of a Harrow, UK, gentleman. -
Egyptian Blue Faience Djed Pillar Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £494
A glazed composition amuletic pendant of the djed pillar with fine detailing; loop to the reverse. 2.75 grams, 34 mm
Ex Roger Liechti collection, Geneva, Switzerland. -
Egyptian Ceremonial Mace Head
Predynastic Period, 4th millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
A spherical ceremonial stone mace head; centrally drilled; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 322 grams total, 87 mm high including stand
From an old UK collection. From the private collection of Alf Baxendale (1941-2016) part 2, keen Egyptologist, member of the Egyptology Society, trustee of the Amarna Trust; thence by descent. Accompanied by an identification display card. Accompanied by a copy of his obituary published in Horizon, The Amarna Project and Amarna Trust newsletter, Issue 18, 2017, p.21, by Barry John Kemp, CBE, FBA, Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and directing excavations at Amarna in Egypt.
Mace heads were prized to such a degree that they were carried by chieftains as sceptres.