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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Medieval 'Thames' Artefact Collection
Circa 14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
A group of four metallic artefacts including a bell (minus clanger), small scoop with twisted neck and needles of different types. 7.6 grams total, 15-95 mm
Found on the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK. -
Medieval and Other Artefact Group
11th-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
A mixed group including a crotal bell, nacre brooch, enamelled Newmarket pendant dated 1925, Anglo-Scandinavian bridle mount, various mounts and badges and other items. 404 grams total, 14-49 mm
Found Suffolk. -
Medieval and Other Silver Artefact Group
Circa 14th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £52
A mixed group of silver artefacts mainly comprising of fragmentary fittings, mounts, clasps and jewellery elements, including: a buckle; engraved ring bezel, floral belt hook, openwork belt fittings, possible filigree button face and others. 54.6 grams total, 9-50 mm
Essex gallery, early 2000s. -
Large Medieval 'Thames' Gilded Annunciation Pilgrim's Badge
Circa 14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
A gilt bronze pilgrim's badge comprising an outer ring with textured fill, rolled rim, inner field with rosette and scene of the Anunciation with a winged angel addressing Mary. 0.85 grams, 38 mm wide
Repaired.
Found on the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK. -
Medieval Artefact Collection
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
A mixed group of artefacts including buckles, a knife pommel, clothes clasps, furniture fittings, quillon and others. 97 grams total, 16-76 mm
Fair condition.
Found Norfolk, UK, before 2001. Private collection of Mr M.H., Norfolk, UK. -
Medieval Ring with Bird
12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
A copper-alloy ring composed of a slender hoop with an irregular cross-section, supporting an oval-shaped bezel engraved with a pelican standing right within a zigzag border. 1.96 grams, 21.40 mm overall, 17.29 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman. -
Medieval Ring with Amethyst Gemstone
Circa 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
A copper-alloy ring composed of a D-section hoop and broad, shaped shoulders decorated with knops to the edges and channeling to the interior, the oval bezel set with a later polished amethyst. 9.66 grams, 27.48 mm overall, 16.49 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman. -
Medieval and Other Artefact Collection
Circa 14th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £33
A mixed group of artefacts including: a glazed pouring vessel; a balustered finial; standing stag pendant amulet; nail; decorated belt fittings and strap ends; other items. 570 grams total, 1.4-12 cm
Essex gallery, early 2000s. -
Medieval Adjustable Spur
Circa 15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £49
An iron spur and mount comprising: an ellipsoid plate of curved profile with arm to the upper edge recurved to extend parallel to the plate, terminating in a threaded ring with adjustable screw; the arm extending in an arc to a bifurcated end with free-running five-pointed rowel. 19.3 grams, 44 mm wide
Found Rodings, Essex, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK. -
Medieval and Other Ring Collection
15th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £104
A mixed group of copper-alloy rings of various types and sizes, including examples with polygonal bezels, bezels incised with geometric motifs, tiered bezels, one ring set with a blue glass cabochon, and others. 49.2 grams total, 20-27 mm
Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman. -
Medieval Gilt Heraldic Horse Harness Mount with Rivetted Shield
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £140
A bronze horse harness mount of sub-square form, displaying a shield-shaped panel defined with raised knops and remaining traces of gilding, a raised stylised plant to centre with cross-hatched leaves; pierced twice along one edge for attachment. 17.9 grams, 41 mm
Acquired early 2000s. Property of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
Medieval Horse Harness Pendant Group
Circa 13th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
A mixed group of horse harness pendants comprising: a discoid pendant decorated with an eagle within beaded circles; an openwork lozengiform frame with four bulbous terminals, the upper one pierced with suspension loop above; a discoid pendant with stylised star motif, suspension loop above; large stylised rosette with domed centre, pierced with suspension loop above; fitting with a tapering body, semi-circular head and two roughly rectangular arms with scalloped edges, rivet hole to each, hook to head. 48.4 grams total, 26-56 mm
Fair condition.
Found Suffolk, UK.