A fragment of amorphous form, decorated in relief with scrolling tendrils and anthemion, painted egg-and-dart ornament above, surmounted by moulded bands and a frieze of meander and chequerboard panels; remains of red and black painted pigment.

Formed as the bust of Eros looking upwards, stub wings to his shoulders, holding a goose to his chest; conical socket above each wing; eyes with silver inserts; old collector's label '1994 51.75' to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand; likely a socket base.

Comprising a rectangular plate, richly decorated with embossed laurel leaves in a grid, framed with raised bosses, the buckle loop comprising opposing dragons with open mouths, holding a spherical tongue-rest, another pair of smaller dragon heads to base, the tongue with a smaller pair of punch-decorated dragon heads.

Hemispherical in form, repoussé interior displaying graduated concentric registers of stylised and mythical animals within tessellating cartouches; a low relief mesomphalos decorated with rosette at centre; geometric ornament around the rim.

Displaying a corrugated rim above and below; two advancing soldiers, each striding forwards over the headless body of a dead enemy, carrying a severed head in each hand; the soldiers shown bearded and each wearing a pointed and segmented helmet with a recess to accommodate the ears, a cuirass and thigh-length tunic, with a bow over one shoulder and a sword slung from a waist belt; mounted on a custom-made display stand.

Of penannular form with expanded sections at the centre and to both shoulders.

Comprising a rectangular headplate with two panels of chip-carved Style I ornament, flanking a beast-head with triangular muzzle and two pellet eyes, raised three-sided frame and outer band of pellets above beast-heads with lentoid eyes; the shallow bow with raised median rib, flanges to the edges and punched pellet detailing; footplate with beast-head between curved pellet lines, pierced horse-head lappets, lozengiform central panel with knot of Style I limbs; two lateral discs, one pierced to accept a stud and the other with a domed stud in place; the finial a disc with human mask inverted; pin-lug and part of catch to the reverse.

Displaying chased panels populated with Style I zoomorphs and geometric forms, borders of annulets, raised masks to the upper corners of the headplate; applied discoid boss to bow decorated with a rosette, addorsed beast heads below; extensive remains of gilding; pin lug and catchplate to reverse and remains of ancient repair, lower part absent.

Comprising a round-section crescent with flared ends terminating in two curved spatulate flat panels, each with a ropework border surrounding a two-band knotwork motif; cleaned and conserved.

The weeping Virgin with her head bowed to the left and hands raised to her chest on a dotted gilt background, an expression of pain on her delicately formed face; wearing a white veil and a black long-sleeved robe, the veil arranged as a headdress and covering her hair; on wood and mounted in a later carved wooden architectural frame.

Shown beneath an arcade, offering his cloak on the end of his sword to the beggar at his feet; polychrome detailing; repaired with lead cames and held in a wooden frame.

Composed from irregular painted panels bearing mainly foliage designs and figural elements; Mary crowned and enthroned with infant Jesus on her knee, in a lobed vesica-shaped panel held with lead cames; mounted in a wooden frame with modern replacements.

Carved in the half-round with a frieze composed of interlaced foliage with two rows of acanthus leaves and foliage scrolls, framing a lion's head on one side and a human head on the other, remains of lion's mane to the third; drilled holes to the raised surfaces and sockets for the insertion of decorative stones.

The bar with central D-shaped block pierced vertically by a stud surmounted by the suspension loop, with four pierced flanges to the underside; the frame in two sections, the larger a U-shaped rod with pivot for the bar, the smaller pivoting within the inner face, both pierced on the inner face; the block inscribed to one face with capital S and to the other with intersecting Vs; the bar inscribed to one face in capitals 'A DOMINI TECVM' and to the other in coarsely incised capitals 'AVEMARIA G[R]ACIAPLE[NA]'; the smaller rod inscribed in capitals 'CREATOREN CELI ET TERRE ET IN [IES]VN'; the larger inscribed with a band of scrolled decoration and the text in Lombardic capitals 'SOLI DEO HONOR ET GLORIA'; the accompanying letter discusses the texts (1) Ave Maria G[r]acia ple[n]a Dominus Tecum 'Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord [is] with thee'; (2) Soli Deo Honor et Gloria 'Honour and glory to God alone'; (3) Creatorem celi et terrae et inferum 'creator of heaven and earth and in Jesus'. The intersecting Vs may form a monogram for A[ve] M[aria]; the 1847 letter describes the findspot as 'found at Kirkleavington near Yarm in the sill of a brook' in the North Riding of Yorkshire.

Gold hoop and discoid bezel with incuse ropework border; incuse image of a bird of prey perching with wings spread and head turned; blackletter incuse and reversed inscription in an arc above the bird's head and pinions '·al : for : ye : best ·' (all for the best); repair to hoop.

Or a leg ring inscribed '+Earle of Rutland' in derivative black letter script, for a female merlin or sparrow hawk (due to the youth of Edmund Plantagenet who died aged 17); the ring with a convex interior face.

Displaying large flower heads, foliage and a skull to the outer face, enhanced with black enamelling; interior inscribed in a cursive script 'In god alone wee two are one', together with possible maker's stamps 'D' and 'F' in two rectangular cartouches.

Composed of a gently carinated hoop, the interior inscribed in cursive script 'Love is the bond of pease'.

Composed of a decoratively notched hoop divided into chased rhomboidal panels displaying foliate tendrils and horizontal hatching alternately; the interior inscribed in Roman capitals with the Latin phrase: 'x x x x VIVE x VT x VIVAS'.

Set comprising gold five pounds, two pounds, sovereign and half sovereign. Obvs: profile bust with GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP legends. Revs: St George and dragon; date in exergue; with original Royal Mint hinged red leatherette case of issue.

Comprising tanged and socketted arrowheads with triangular, leaf-shaped and barbed examples. 40 grams total, 5-10.7 cm



From a private European collection, formed in the 1980s. Acquired from TimeLine Auctions, 2016, lot 72. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

The tanged trio with leaf-shaped heads and raised midrib to both faces. 112 grams total, 13.7-15.3 cm



Ex private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.

Sword bayonet for use with the 8 mm M1886 Lebel rifle; fitted with 'German silver' grip scales; original scabbard. 532 grams, 65 cm



Property of a Luton, UK gentleman, by inheritance.

Known affectionately as “Rosalie” to French troops, the M1886 was the French mainstay during WWI and many were still in service at the Fall of France in 1940. The Lebel also saw extensive use worldwide by native troops in the French colonies. The M1886 introduced the distinctive cruciform blade, which remained a feature of most French bayonets until 1956. This example was made in 1890 at the Manufacture D'Armes St. Etienne (MAS). The scabbard was made by Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Châtellerault (MAC). This is an early example that escaped later modifications, retaining its long blade, quillon, and raised round press stud. The silver-alloy grip is removable.

Finno-Ugrian iron forged with triangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin and spur to the rear, socket with flanges to the rear. 821 grams, 17 cm



Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.

During the mid 13th century, the axes were favourite weapons among Baltic people. For instance the Curonian army included lightly armed soldiers who fought with spears, shields, fighting knives and axes. A heavily armed soldier could also carry a sword, a helmet, a shield and a wide bladed axe.

With conical sockets, one with foliate head, the other with long triangular head. 480 grams total, 27.5-35 cm



UK private collection, 1990s. Acquired from a provincial auction.

The spear was one of the many weapons of infantrymen and peasants during the Middle Ages. Götz von Berlichingen, who in 15th century A.D. was appointed as the leader of the peasants revolting against the noblemen, was recorded saying that ‘I beheld myself, suddenly encompassed with muskets, spears, and halberds, pointed at me. They cried that I should be their captain, in whether I would or not’.

Comprising six bronze short tapering blades, all with rounded shoulders and flattened mid-ribs, four with tapering tangs, one with tang pierced at tip; one of the narrowest blades is without a tang. 485 grams total, 20-24 cm

Fine condition.

Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons not greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length. These weapons belong to the dagger category.

From the upper part of the right side of the face mask, the upper edge with a band of embossed curved lines, probably representing stylised hairs, intertwined with laurel crown; embossed image of advancing Mars, the god of war, to the centre, depicted nude with military sagum, a pseudo-Corinthian helmet to the head and carrying a circular shield. 55 grams, 17 cm wide



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

In the decorative patterns of Roman helmets, Mars was among the most revered deities in the Imperial army. After Jupiter, he was the most aristocratic god of the old Italic religion, master of armament, who governed military service (militiae potens) and oversaw the training ground, for which he was named Campester. The emperor Augustus named him Ultor (‘Avenger’) and dedicated to him a luxurious temple in the centre of the forum in gratitude for his victory over the murderers of Caesar and, in addition, granted to him the privileges of the Capitoline Jupiter.

Steel gunsight with three rings and cross-wires and pillar mount to fit the MG34 general purpose machine gun. 80 grams, 14 cm



Acquired from RJ Militaria, UK. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the listing and an image.

Suitable for use with an onager or other small catapult-type siege weapon; with roughened, abrasive surface. 682 grams, 79 mm



Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.

The operation of the onager (Latin for 'wild ass') is first mentioned in 353 A.D. by Ammianus Marcellinus in his Res Gestae and more fully in Vegetius's Epitoma Rei Militaris probably written in the reign of Emperor Theodosius I (378-395 A.D.).

Each with a broad arched and footrest with bell-shaped piercings, triangular sidepieces chiselled with geometric patterns and retaining the majority of their silver inlay, rising to D-shaped strap ring; the surfaces chiselled with geometric patterns. 1.29 kg total, 20 cm high each



Acquired from Garth Vincent, Antique Arms & Armour, Lincolnshire, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copy of the purchase invoice and description.

About 5/8" bore pistol with 19cm (7½") barrel, the percussion lockplate marked 'TOWER' fitted with captive ramrod, full wood stock and butt (cracked) with brass butt cap, fore-end, ferrule and trigger guard and steel belt hook; action working. 1.17 kg, 35.5 cm



Acquired from Mostly Boxes, Northern Ireland. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a Mostly Boxes invoice.

Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent.

Comprising three weapons: a 'ronca contadina' (peasant scythed staff weapon, known as forest bill) made of trunco-conical tubular gorbia with tapering iron shaft, inclined to the right with respect to the axis of the weapon, ending in a bill; an alabarda-sergentina, iron blade halberd with central rib, two axe-heads, one convex one concave; an alghiero, guisarme with tapering pointed iron shaft of rectangular section, furnished with a side-bill; all three mounted upon wooden velvet-covered shafts. 6.3 kg total, 2.26-2.34 m



Ex Christie's, Holland, circa 2010. East Anglian private collection.

Certainly the most interesting of the three weapons is the peasant roncone. The hooked part of the weapon could be used to hook or cut things, but also for severing a horse's hocks causing both horse and rider to fall.