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Home > Auctions > 23 - 27 May 2023
Ancient Art, Antiquities, Natural History & Coins

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Auction Highlights:

Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,850
Sold for (Inc. bp): £16,900
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,440
Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,640
Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,100
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,640
Sold for (Inc. bp): £23,400
Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,750
Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,700
Lot No. 0705
3
Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Displaying a monogram composed of Latin letters A and R; tapering round-section socket. 233 grams, 20.2 cm

Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.

See Baratta, G., 'Roman Signacula / Una particolare categoria di signacula: marchi per legno, pellame ed animali', in Mayer, M., Olive, G., Baratta, G., Guzman Almagro, A. (ed.), XII Congressus Internationalis Epigraphiae Grecae et Latinae, Barcelona, 2007, pp.99-108, figs.3, 7, for similar stamps.

The signacula used for branding were distinguished primarily by the presence of a relatively long metal arm, which could reach a length of 50 cm. This arm could sometimes be hollow to allow the insertion of a wooden handle. The presence of the long arm constitutes the main indication for the use of these signacula in the context of branding. Its length allowed the user to keep a safe distance from the source of heat.
Lot No. 0706
6
Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Modelled in the round with stylised wing, tail and eye detailing, notched tuft to head, standing on a discoid base with tapering square-section lug below. 80 grams, 95 mm high

From the collection of an EU gentleman formed in the early 2000s.
Acquired on the UK market.

Mainly from vessel bowls, each displaying a design in relief, including figures, architectural elements and foliage. 120 grams, 4.5 - 7.5 cm

Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK.

Of rectangular form, a recessed stamp to one face bearing letters in relief 'LEG I ITAL' for First Italic Legion. 2.5 kg, 27.5 x 13 cm

Acquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

See Sarnowski, T., 'Die Ziegelstempel aus Novae' in Archaeologia, Warszawa, 1983, 43, pp.17-61; Kurzmann, R., 'Soldier, Civilian and Military Brick Production' in Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 24 (4), 2005, pp.405-414.

The Legio I Italica ('of Italy') was a Roman legion formed by Nero on September 20, 66 or 67 A.D. and it was active until the 5th-6th century AD. The emblems of the legion were a running boar and sometimes a bull. Troops of this legion appear on Trajan's Column bridging a river. The main camp of the Legio was Novae, modern Bulgaria, but it operated in most of the imperial provinces, including Britain, where a vexillatio fought in the wars of Septimius Severus between 202 and 204 A.D.
Lot No. 0709
5
Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Trumpet-shaped bezel with incuse profile bust and drape. 2.97 grams, 24.96 mm overall, 16.93 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)

Private collection formed since the 1940s.
UK art market.
Property of an Essex gentleman.

Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 447, for type.

Lot No. 0710
2
Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Comprising: a female with hair held in a chignon at the nape; figure with hair dressed in short wavy tufts, large eyes with exaggerated eyelashes. 71 grams total, 23-25 mm

Acquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.

See statuettes with similar heads and dimensions in Politikens Forlag, Jeg ser på oldsager (I look at antiquities), Kopenhagen, 1966, nos.585-586.

Bronze statuettes representing Roman gods and goddesses were widespread all around the empire, and are also known as far as archaeological sites of Jutland and the islands. The two heads represent probably tutela divinities of the home, like Vesta and Juno (Greek Hera).
Lot No. 0711
2
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Comprising two differently sized handles: one featuring a leaf plaque to base with head of Bacchus(?) in relief, fluting and a second head to the top; one with a leaf plaque to base and swan head in relief, collars and thumb pad to top. 605 grams total, 16-24 cm

Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.

Lot No. 0712
14
Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Comprising a bell-shaped bowl, everted rim, shallow foot and round-section articulate handle; split, base absent. 560 grams, 20 cm wide

Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.

Cf. Boucher, S. and Tassinari, S., Bronzes Antiques I, Inscriptions, Statuaire, Vaisselle, Paris, 1976, p.129, no.150, for similar vessel.

Situla (plural situlae), from the Latin word for bucket or pail, is the term in archaeology and art history for a variety of elaborate bucket-shaped vessels from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages, usually with a handle at the top. Roman styles favoured a simple shape curving from the base, becoming vertical at the top, with a wide mouth and no shoulder, but sometimes with a projecting rim. These had a variety of uses, including aiding with washing and bathing.
Amber-coloured glass disc with irregular flange, low-relief horse, human and crescent, retrograde Greek text. 5.4 grams, 30 mm

From the Robin Symes Gallery, stock number 91-321 on label, inventory number 185.

Lot No. 0714
3
Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Trumpet bezel with incuse Triton figure. 4.38 grams, 23.80 mm overall, 18.82 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)

Private collection formed since the 1940s.
UK art market.
Property of an Essex gentleman.

Comprising: an iron Alesia-type brooch with deep tapering bow, long foot with recurved integral knop, curled hinge; the type of Gaulish origin; mounted on a custom-made display panel stand with Hattatt collection description and further information on a label to the reverse; inked collection number to the reverse of the bow; the other a bronze trumpet brooch with moulded arc decorations on the head, sprung pin moving freely, tapering body with acanthus motif; horizontal ribbing and zigzag motifs, plain underfoot; retaining swivel chain loop with traces of red enamel; collection number to the reverse of the bow. 25.6 grams total, 63-70 mm (82 grams total, 85 mm high including stand)

Alesia type found near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK; trumpet type found in Northamptonshire, UK.

Hattatt, R., Ancient Brooches and Other Artefacts, item 1489, and Iron Age and Roman Brooches, pp. 106 & 109.

Hattatt remarks of the Alesia brooch: 'In remarkably fine condition for iron, this could well have been worn by one of the Roman invaders.'
Lot No. 0716
5
Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Retaining its spring pin and catchplate, the horse modelled galloping right, with simple mane detailing; complete. 10.6 grams, 30 mm

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

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