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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Sassanian Seal with Profile Bust
3rd-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
A carnelian stamp seal of plano-convex form, incuse profile bust left to base; drilled for suspension; repaired. 5.91 grams, 17 mm
Acquired 1980s. UK private collection. Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher. -
Western Asiatic Bowl with Fluted Rim
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
A carinated ceramic bowl with inverted neck and rim, remains of a foot underneath. 895 grams, 23 cm wide
Acquired 1990s. English private collection. Property of an Essex gentleman. -
Western Asiatic Earring Pair Collection
1st millennium B.C. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £26
A group of three pairs of copper-alloy earrings: one pair with conical terminals; one annular pair with coiled wire projections; hoop formed two additional loops with coiled sleeve between. 17 grams total, 21-43 mm
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK. -
Western Asiatic Painted Jar
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
An unglazed ceramic jar with rounded body, carinated shoulder and flared rim; red painted bands below the shoulder and medial white band with running wave pattern. 311 grams, 10.5 cm wide
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Western Asiatic Decorated Bracelet
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
A flat-section penannular bronze bracelet with flaring terminals, body decorated with medial band of annulets, chevrons above and below with dotted fill, terminals with a vegetal design, possibly a stylised tree. 21 grams, 54 mm wide
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK. -
Western Asiatic Four-Sided Stamp Seal
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
A small copper-alloy square-section stamp seal with suspension loop; incuse design to each face: standing winged figure; vegetation with sun-disc above; standing robed female with raised hand; stag; each face with pelletted border above an below; base with bust wearing a solar crown. 13.15 grams, 25.95 mm
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late S.M., thence by descent. -
Central Asian Seal Pendant with Monkey
23rd-20th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
A bronze stamp seal featuring an openwork stylised monkey design; suspension loop to reverse; accompanied by a typed and signed scholarly note by W.G. Lambert, the late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: '...This is round, with flat face and flat back, on which there is a small loop for suspension. The design consists of a depiction within a plain outer band. It shows a sitting monkey with tail up and front paws raised, perhaps holding something. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c.2300-2000 B.C. There is some wear and damage to the outer edge of the seal, but the design remains clear. The metal has been conserved.' 10 grams, 33 mm
1980s-early 1990s collection, UK. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note issued by the late Professor W.G. Lambert. -
Central Asian Seal Pendant with Spread Eagle
23rd-20th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
A bronze seal pendant in the form of an eagle with spread wings, with suspension loop to reverse; accompanied by a typed and signed scholarly note by W.G. Lambert, the late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: '...This has the shape of a heraldic eagle: head sideways at the top, wings spread out, and tail feathers down. The face is flat and the eagle shape is hollowed out away from the edges. The back is generally convex, and has a big loop handle attached. The seal comes from west-central Asia and dates to c.2300-2000 B.C. It is an attractive piece and is in very good condition.' 13.6 grams, 28 mm
1980s-early 1990s collection, UK. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note issued by the late Professor W.G. Lambert. -
Holy Land Terracotta Jug
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
A bulbous terracotta jug with flared neck and integral round-section handle. 518 grams, 16.5 cm high
Acquired before 2000. Property of a London, UK, gentleman. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
Western Asiatic Bracelet with Channel and Club Terminals
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
A penannular silver bracelet with expanding hoop with recessed central section, two roughly triangular projections to the centre of the bezel, ribbed terminals. 42.2 grams, 63 mm wide
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK. -
Western Asiatic Stamp Seal with Lamashtu
Late 2nd-early 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
A stone stamp seal of truncated conical form, possibly chlorite or serpentine, with incise standing human-headed eagle to base, incused hatched lines in four directions to the top face; drilled for suspension. 8.4 grams, 22 mm
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late S.M., thence by descent. -
Central Asian Seal Pendant with Lion Attacking a Standing Figure
23rd-20th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
A copper-alloy stamp seal formed as a rearing lion grappling with a standing figure, suspension loop to reverse. 15.9 grams, 29 mm
1980s-early 1990s collection, UK.