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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Iron Age Celtic Decorated Bracelet
Circa 3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
A bronze penannular bracelet with a sub-rectangular hoop, smaller, wedge-shaped terminal and larger expanded terminal, each decorated with punched dots, dimples and clusters of grooves. 20.8 grams, 52 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
Iron Age Celtic Silver Double-Axe Pendant
Circa 3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
A double-headed silver axehead with oval socket and wedge-shaped heads of different sizes. 5.9 grams, 43 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
Iron Age Celtic Brooch Group
Circa 1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
A group of silver and bronze brooches comprising: three fibulas with integral spring to the pin; one fibula with domed panel to the pin; a substantial solid-cast leech brooch; an annular brooch with sprung pin. 35.2 grams total, 28-40 mm
Ex important Spanish collection, 1970s. -
Iron Age Celtic Anthropomorphic Votive Figure
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
A bronze amuletic figure of a nude male standing with arm to the sides, collar to the neck, large bulbous head, loop to the rear for use as a pendant. 1.47 grams, 38 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Bramber, near Horsham, West Sussex, UK, on Friday 1st August 2014. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.SUSS-F6B98D. -
Iron Age Celtic Axe Pendant Group
2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
A trio of bronze axe head pendants of different forms, each with a pierced socket for suspension, one plain, one bearing vertical grooves, the largest decorated with concentric circles. 17.4 grams total, 19-29 mm
German art market, 1990s. Mr A.H., a North American collector living in the UK. -
Iron Age Iberian Votive Male Figure
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
A copper-alloy standing male idol modelled with an angular head and cropped hair, long arms held by his sides, prominent genitals. 25.7 grams, 65 mm
Acquired early 2000s. Property of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
Possibly a fertility idol. -
Iron Age Celtic Horse Bridle Cheek Piece with La Tène Ornament
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,430
A bronze bridle fitting, circular in section with flattened centre and a rectangular slot to accept a strap; decorated along one face with reserved La Tène style comma-leaf swirls on recessed fields originally inlaid with red enamel, sinuous incised line connecting the cells at each end. 80 grams, 93 mm
Found UK. From a English collection. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.
Cheek pieces were attached to each end of a bridle bit; they have been found in princely burials along with other grave goods. -
Iron Age Celtic Silver Axe Pendant with Loop
Circa 3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
A silver pendant composed of a free-running axehead suspended on a slender ring with overlapping terminals. 2.03 grams, 26 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
Iron Age Celtic Silver Fibula
2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
A silver fibula of La Tène II type with simple integral spring to the pin, arched bow and integral catch with final coiled about the shank and two beaded wire collars. 7.21 grams, 45 mm
Private collection formed in the 1990s. Property of a European gentleman living in the UK. Ex TimeLine Auctions, 15 March 2012, lot 901(part). Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman. -
Large Danubian Coiled Armband
Circa 1500 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £152
A large bronze spiral bracelet composed of a D-section hoop with medial rib and zoomorphic terminals, decorated with dense clusters of X-motifs between vertical grooves towards both terminals; remains of gilding. 395 grams, 94 mm
Fine condition.
Private East Coast collection, USA. With Artemis Gallery, Colorado, USA, 2018. Private collection of Professor Kenneth Graham, London, UK. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Artemis Gallery. -
Iron Age Celtic Bell
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
A bronze hand bell with waisted profile, hole to accept a separate clapper and trapezoidal lug to the upper face with circular hole; section of rim absent. 178 grams, 95 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
Frankish Period Gold Repousse Applique with Christian Cross and Pellets
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
A sheet-gold applique displaying a repoussé Christian cross composed of pellets, larger central pellet and single pellet to each arm, all enclosed by a pelletted roundel with single pellet in each quarter. 0.25 grams, 18 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.