Home > Auctions > 5 - 9 September 2023
Ancient Art, Antiquities, Natural History & Coins
Auction Highlights:
.jpg "Hellenistic Gold Earrings with Lapis and Mother of Pearl")
.jpg "Hellenistic Terracotta Head of a Youth")
.jpg "Neo-Assyrian Bronze Horse Trapping with Eagle-Headed God Nisroch and Winged Supernatural Figures")
Sold for (Inc. bp): £8,450
.jpg "Bronze Age Gold Torc-Shaped Bracelet")
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
Sold for (Inc. bp): £23,400
Triangular with thick rectangular-section midrib, rounded shoulders, narrow tip, short tang with hole for fixing pin for the organic grip; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 285 grams total, 32 cm wide including stand
Acquired 1980s-1990s.
From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK.
Cf. Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, p.34, no.31.
This tanged bronze blade from Luristan belongs to a category of Luristan swords still in use in the Achaemenid Period, as proved by a blade with a perished handle (probably bone or wood) of the same type, in the National Museum of Iran (2694/15633). Examples without inscriptions like our model have been classified by Grotkamp-Schepers in the Solingen Museum as pieces from Luristan.
Acquired 1980s-1990s.
From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK.
Cf. Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, p.34, no.31.
This tanged bronze blade from Luristan belongs to a category of Luristan swords still in use in the Achaemenid Period, as proved by a blade with a perished handle (probably bone or wood) of the same type, in the National Museum of Iran (2694/15633). Examples without inscriptions like our model have been classified by Grotkamp-Schepers in the Solingen Museum as pieces from Luristan.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Roughly wedge-shaped with one broken edge and one chamfered. 280 grams, 92 mm
Found Berkshire, UK.
Found Berkshire, UK.
Of repoussé form, slightly convex in profile with two concentric bands of pierced ornament and two attachment holes at edge. 36 grams, 95 mm
Ex English collection, pre-2000.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Accompanied by a previous dealer's certificate of authenticity.
Ex English collection, pre-2000.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Accompanied by a previous dealer's certificate of authenticity.
Comprising axeheads of different types, together with a pickaxe with a small hammer-style butt. 5.48 kg total, 16-30 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. The 18th Century Material Culture Resource Center Date, 18th Century Material Culture. Axes, Hatchets, & Tomahawks, 2015, p.22 (late 17th century), 23 (early 18th century), for similar.
Various axes of similar types have been recovered from the colonies of the New World. One of our specimen seems to be a French hatchet marked with a cross and circle, like the one found in the estate of Tom Wnuck.
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. The 18th Century Material Culture Resource Center Date, 18th Century Material Culture. Axes, Hatchets, & Tomahawks, 2015, p.22 (late 17th century), 23 (early 18th century), for similar.
Various axes of similar types have been recovered from the colonies of the New World. One of our specimen seems to be a French hatchet marked with a cross and circle, like the one found in the estate of Tom Wnuck.
A slender crescentic axehead with attachment arms, single rivet hole to each terminal. 418 grams, 26 cm
Ex property of B.C., previously in a 1970s collection.
Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.
Accompanied by a copy of a previous dealer's certificate of authenticity.
Ex property of B.C., previously in a 1970s collection.
Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.
Accompanied by a copy of a previous dealer's certificate of authenticity.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Composed of four arms tipped with triangular spikes. 24 grams, 73 mm
Acquired on the German art market around 2000s.
From the collection of an EU gentleman living in the UK.
Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und die Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch-Altenburg, 2017, item 204, for type.
Caltrops were scattered on battlefields in an effort to stop or slow advancing enemy cavalry or foot soldiers; regardless of how a caltrop lands, one spike is always facing upwards. Caesar used widely them at Alesia (Caes., BG 7.73; 82): 'Stakes a foot long, with iron hooks attached to them, were entirely sunk in the ground before these, and were planted in every place at small intervals; these they called spurs'.
Acquired on the German art market around 2000s.
From the collection of an EU gentleman living in the UK.
Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und die Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch-Altenburg, 2017, item 204, for type.
Caltrops were scattered on battlefields in an effort to stop or slow advancing enemy cavalry or foot soldiers; regardless of how a caltrop lands, one spike is always facing upwards. Caesar used widely them at Alesia (Caes., BG 7.73; 82): 'Stakes a foot long, with iron hooks attached to them, were entirely sunk in the ground before these, and were planted in every place at small intervals; these they called spurs'.
Comprising seventeen tanged arrowheads, most of them having large elongated triangular blades and raised midrib; one with long tang. 105 grams total, 34 - 82 mm
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
See Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, figures 467 and 471, for most of these types.
Most of these arrowhead seem to belong to the type V, subcategory types A and C according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes A and C are small triangular arrowheads with barbed shoulders. The arrowhead with squared shoulders belongs to type III of the same classification.
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
See Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, figures 467 and 471, for most of these types.
Most of these arrowhead seem to belong to the type V, subcategory types A and C according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes A and C are small triangular arrowheads with barbed shoulders. The arrowhead with squared shoulders belongs to type III of the same classification.
The blade with a lozenge-shaped cross-section; restored handle with bulbous cross-guard, waisted grip and flared pommel. 195 grams, 37.2 cm
Found on the Thames foreshore at Vintry, Southwark, London, UK.
Found on the Thames foreshore at Vintry, Southwark, London, UK.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Formed with a gently curving profile and showing transverse grooves from the carving technique; bearing handwritten collector's inventory number 'RO518.01.00'. 182 grams, 53 cm
Private U.K. family collection formed in the early 1970s.
The property of Mr and Mrs P.R. of East Sussex.
Thence by descent to family members.
Private U.K. family collection formed in the early 1970s.
The property of Mr and Mrs P.R. of East Sussex.
Thence by descent to family members.
With 40mm (1½") turn-off barrel, box-lock with sliding safety marked 'CLARK' left and 'LONDON' right; fitted with plain wood butt and octagonal escutcheon; action working. 280 grams, 16 cm
Acquired on the UK market.
Property of a Kent collector.
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.
Acquired on the UK market.
Property of a Kent collector.
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.
.jpg "Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hooks")
Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Each a scrolled bar formed as a serpent or other animal with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to both terminals. 19.6 grams total, 64-66 mm
Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.
Cf. Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., Roman military equipment, from the Punic wars to the fall of Rome, London, 2006, p.96, fig.51,3 for similar.
In the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier.
Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.
Cf. Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., Roman military equipment, from the Punic wars to the fall of Rome, London, 2006, p.96, fig.51,3 for similar.
In the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Cylindrical in shape, the upper section with alternating holes and vertical rows of three prominent spikes, short cylindrical shaft. 363 grams, 14.5 cm
Collected from 1979-1999.
From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.
See Godard, A., Les Bronzes du Luristan, Paris, 1931, pl.XIX, no.58, for the type; cf. Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, fig.2.79, subtypes M 2.A.b, for the type.
This knopped mace head was probably made using the lost-wax method. It corresponds to the type M 2.A.b of the classification of Gernez: single-cylinder spiked maces. These elements are rare and quite diverse. They consist of a metal cylinder with rows of juxtaposed points. There are between 3 and 8 rows each, comprising 3 to 5 more or less pronounced spikes.
Collected from 1979-1999.
From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.
See Godard, A., Les Bronzes du Luristan, Paris, 1931, pl.XIX, no.58, for the type; cf. Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, fig.2.79, subtypes M 2.A.b, for the type.
This knopped mace head was probably made using the lost-wax method. It corresponds to the type M 2.A.b of the classification of Gernez: single-cylinder spiked maces. These elements are rare and quite diverse. They consist of a metal cylinder with rows of juxtaposed points. There are between 3 and 8 rows each, comprising 3 to 5 more or less pronounced spikes.
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865 - 876 of 2453 LOTS
865 - 876 of 2453 LOTS
