A section of tomb wall with a central register of eight rectangular panels each containing hieroglyphs naming offerings for the deceased; the top and bottom groups of eight rectangular panels each contain a depiction of a kneeling offering-bearer; all carved in high-relief; mounted on a custom-made display stand.

The vessel with integral round-section upward-facing handles, a third, round-section handle placed vertically between shoulder and upper neck to rear; laurel sprigs to the neck with traces of gilding; combat scene with Amazons (and Trojans?) below, armed with short swords and crescent shields, most wearing an exomis leaving the shoulder and one breast uncovered; volute palmettes below both side-handles, a panel of tiered and swirling volutes to the rear, all on a band of egg-moulding, repeated around the rim; possibly Apulian or Campanian; restored.

Composed of a shallow bowl and broad flange rim, two integral scalloped handles with scrolled flourishes, tapering to a loop handle with swan head terminals each with incised eye and beak detailing; perforated whirl within roundel to interior base; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.

Modelled in the round with a fragment of stand to the rear; the figure carefully carved to exhibit the delicate facial features and elaborate hairstyle; the palla drawn up over the head and falling over the shoulders to the upper arms; a diadem to the brow with foliage and tendril detailing; elaborate earrings with dangles; necklace of fusiform and tubular beads and a longer one below with piriform plaques; large disc brooch to the left breast with dangles; peplos-style dress draped across the body beneath the palla; left arm bent and hand passing across the body to grasp the hem of the palla with a herringbone bracelet at the wrist; the palla displayed pinned with rosettes to the rear panel; with inscription of thirteen Palmyrene characters above the left shoulder 'NRW' // BRT // 'QM' // ḤBL' meaning 'daughter of Aqima'; traces of red and green pigment; mounted on a custom-made stand by Colin Bowles Ltd.

In a rectangular matrix; cream, olive, pink and other tesserae depicting a bird advancing with head bowed, with banded frame.

Modelled naturalistically in the round, directing his gaze upwards left, the eyes with sculpted pupils originally decorated with stone insertions, his face framed by voluminous short curls swept up off the forehead, sideburns and a moustache.

In a rectangular matrix; cream, olive, pink and other tesserae depicting a perching bird with rosette above.

Divided into six sections by Christogram letters chi and rho, two of the segments with Greek letters alpha and omega, the other four segments with floral ornaments; a laurel wreath to the edge; mounted on a custom-made display stand.

Written across two principal faces and three side edges, reading: 1-2) Say to Zakur-ahum, thus says Uzazza, your brother. 3) I have read the tablet you sent me. You wrote to me as follows: 4-5)'Five nomadic Suteans plundered the district of Zippat and I sent a troop. 6-7) I drove them back. I prevented them from taking anything. 7-8) So this troop left empty-handed. It is to be feared that they will go to the land of Arrapha and raise havoc, take action!' 11) This is what you wrote to me, and I rejoiced greatly. 12) In your tablet is written:'500 nomadic Suteans'. 13) Now, your servants whom you sent to me told me this: 14) 'A troop of 1,500 men has come. 15) Among them were many men with bows.'16 This is what they told me. Now never 17) have there been archers among the nomad-Suteans. 18) Is it not to be feared that the heavily-equipped 19) part of a foreign army is here itself comprising the nomad-Suteans with their bows? 20) The (result of the) divination I found said: 'Fire will devour the base of the reed.' 21) [...] its ... will not reach me. 22-23) [Now], shall I rejoice over the heavily equipped troop (that is) there? 24) [...]. 25-26) Now investigate this troop. 26-27) Send a full report urgently one way or the other, 28-29) so that I may circulate [a swift messenger] so that 29-30) the whole country may be gathered [in my fortresses] and so that I may take action. 31-33) Moreover, earlier, nomadic Suteans assaulted the palace cowherds one evening and 33-34) carried away all the cows from the palace. They left nothing behind. 35-36) There are none left, including the cows they had been entrusted with that evening. The next day, 37) a rescue troop (sent) by Ašrum, in pursuit of them 38) went as far as the banks of the Euphrates, but 39 returned empty-handed. 39) Another thing, 40) concerning what you wrote to me: 41-42) 'Looters set up a siege instrument- kalbanatum against a fortified farm and killed people. In addition, they carried off ten oxen. 43) And Ašrum went in there. Check that 44 their oxen no longer disappear.' This is what you wrote to me. 45-46) Now, shall I rejoice in this matter, or shall I [not] [...] them [...]. 47-48) Now, is there a plunderer who can plunder on my watch? Now, when I hear (about them) 49-50) and as soon as I send a message, do I not put them on the pal? No doubt 51-52) these people are foreigners, but you consider them to be Arrapha inhabitants! Now, precisely according to what you've written to me, 53-54) I'm going to send a fast messenger to the very interior of Arrapha and carry out a check. ; repaired.

Written over two faces; lentoid cross-section.

Matched pair of Samnite triangular breast and backplates, a suite of 'triple-disc' type, each with three repoussé panels with carinated rim, flat spandrel above and curved on the lower sides, with perforated edges to affix to a separate mail garment; rivetted loops to the shoulders for attachment of supporting straps, and similar lateral loops with portion of round-link chain in situ; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Montefortino helmet with bulbous domed skull and a plain crest knob with flattened top; plain and flat neck guard with thickened rim; the front with punched Latin inscription 'A N CFN'; the surface largely covered in marine encrustations; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.

Finely knapped lentoid-section dagger with lateral recesses and square butt; old collector's label '281'.

Long blade with small portion of cortex at the upper end, sharply tapering point with edges worked from both sides.

A slightly bent irregular bar of hacked gold with rectangular cross-section, showing evidence of compression and fracture to each end, some subtle transverse lines on both of the main surfaces.

The substantial heater-shaped plaque with spectacular openwork Urnes style design, the standing beast with entwined tendrils, pronounced head at the apex, narrow ledge to the reverse and rivet holes to each corner with two rivets remaining.

Of tubular form with flared rim and applied collar to the foot, applied trails to the sidewall and four rows of prunts with applied blue-glass ornament.

With a slender D-section hoop, bevelled rectangular cell set with a garnet cabochon; satellite settings at the corners, each with a green cabochon (one absent), the ring preserved in the same condition as it was when found.

With plain circular hoop and square diamond-shaped bezel with replicant natural diamond crystal.

Broadly rectangular in cross-section and constructed from two sheets of gold; the external hoop carrying an etched decorative design comprised of a row of eight-armed stars in relief with a prominent horizontal line connecting the stars; the internal hoop with Latin inscription in block capitals reading '+FORTES FORTVNA IVVAT' translating to 'fortune favours the brave/strong'; straightened.

Modelled as the body of a crouching animal, the handle in the form of a slender lion crouching behind the vessel's wide gaping mouth; celadon glazed in Jin Dynasty (265-420 A.D.) style. 1.97 kg, 21 cm long



London collection since the 1980s. Property of a Canadian family.

With trumpet mouth, globular body with painted decoration of roundels to the shoulder with net pattern separated into zones by frog-leg chevrons; two loop handles to the equator; rim repaired, repainted. 1.9 kg, 30 cm wide



Acquired before 1990s/early 2000s. From the family collection of Jack Lyttle (1944-2023), Kilmacolm, Scotland; thence by descent to his granddaughter. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.

Comprising two silver-gilt fastening plaques, each D-shaped in section and tongue-shaped in plan with applied granules and filigree bands; one element with a pierced plaque and the other with a domed bulb topped by a facetted glass insert; to the underside of each plaque, the end of a braided leather cord forming a girdle or belt; possibly from Uzbekistan. 41 grams, 99.5 cm long (buckles 75 mm each)



Ex Silk Road Exhibition, Piccadilly, London, 2003.

Of lei form with narrow mouth, band to the equator with loop handles, lid with openwork disc handle; applied bowenite plaques to the median band, each with running-scroll detailing; kuilong inlaid ornament to the shoulder and body, flared base. 4.35 kg, 29 cm high



Ex Paris collection. French gallery, Paris, 1990-2000s.

Elongated piriform body with fluted panels to the chest and flanks, white and red pigment, square socket between the shoulders; possibly with some restoration. 6.4 kg, 43.5 cm



Ex Cotswold, UK, collection, 1970-1990. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.C123n49 from Oxford Authentication. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11958-209560.

Including two animals and two serpents, each with stylised detailing. 844 grams total, 8.1-11 cm



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

Oblate central chamber with trumpet-shaped neck and mouth, four radiating legs each with a spur at the engle, four interstitial flower-shaped arms with nop to the angle and rumbler-bell finial; possibly for liturgical use. 283 grams, 10.5 cm high



Acquired 1980s-1990s. From the private collection of H.N., Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK.

With decorative piercings forming part of a loosely foliate motif. 2.75 kg, 36.5 cm wide



Acquired 1970-1990s. From a private West Country collection.

Restrung group of small carnelian and larger banded agate spherical beads. 172 grams, 90 cm long



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Of conical form with low foot, the interior and exterior decorated with blackish glaze, the exterior with the brown ware visible towards the foot. 190 grams, 12 cm wide



UK gallery, early 2000s.

Modelled in the round, the horse standing on a trapezoidal base, its neck arched and head held erect, tail resting between hindlegs; with traces of painted detailing; the rider wearing an ankle -length robe, arms and hands held at the chest, hair tied in a top-knot. 1.5 kg, 30.4 cm high



Ex North Yorkshire, UK, collection, 1990s.

Rectangular with central recess, figural scene in high-relief of a seated figure in voluminous gown brandishing a rod towards a kneeling figures with hands raised to the chest; drapes to the edges and rectangular panel above with title. 1.46 kg, 24 x 17.4 cm



Ex West Country collection, UK, 1970-1990s.