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.

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. 2.81 grams, 27 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire, UK, on Sunday 16th January 2022. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SUSS-95B0C7. Reported as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 with reference no.2022T118, and subsequently disclaimed. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11979-208180.

Set with a central cabochon-cut amethyst, rounded knops with textured detailing to the end of each arm, integral loop for suspension; to the reverse, the name 'HENRI' inscribed on the vertical axis, the acronym 'AGLA' horizontally, a Maltese cross to the centre. 2.95 grams, 31 mm



UK art market, acquired prior to 1985. From the collection of a North American gentleman, acquired in 2012.

The acronym 'AGLA' stands for the Hebrew phrase 'Atah gebur le-olam Adonai', meaning 'Thine Is The Power Throughout Endless Ages, O Lord'; it was used particularly in exorcisms, healing and divination, and was associated with Rosicrucianism.

Openwork badge comprising a quatrefoil frame with interstitial barbs, beaded rim; central crucifixion scene; remains of pin-lug to the reverse. 6.46 grams, 39 mm



Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK, circa 1984. Property of an Essex collector.

A group of figures of this type is called the 'rood group' and was traditionally displayed, before the Reformation, in church on the 'rood screen', from Old English rod 'sign, emblem, display' referring to the visual depiction of the Crucifixion.

Substantial gold hoop with ribbed shoulders and underside to the discoid bezel; incuse pelleted border enclosing a skull and single long bone above a bird's nest. 22.40 grams, 27.88 mm overall, 21.55 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V, USA 10 1/2, Europe 23.77, Japan 22)



Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a London gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11980-210514.

With plain circular hoop and square diamond-shaped bezel with replicant natural diamond crystal. 0.77 grams, 22.70 mm overall, 17.24 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Fressingfield, Suffolk, UK, in September 2020 by David Steadman. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report with reference no.SF-709FC0. Accompanied by a copy of the Treasure Report for H M Coroner with reference no.2020T788. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum explaining that the Crown's interest in this find has been disclaimed.

Standing four-square on a rectangular base, in the heraldic 'statant' pose; the head raised and mouth open, mane represented by radiating curved scales on the neck and back with nicked edges, long recurved tail with characteristic feathered finial; possibly a gaming piece. 56.9 grams, 49 mm wide

Fine condition.

Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Navestock, Essex, UK, in 2010. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no 114450-195656.

Stephen Pollington writes: 'The purpose of the piece must remain the object of speculation but one context suggests itself immediately: the 12th century set of character figures carved in ivory, discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. Stylistically, the Romanesque lion must be dated a little later than these figures since it displays classic 'heraldic' features associated with the medieval period, but the quality of the gilding and the nature of the bronze are suggestive of the Anglo-Scandinavian style of workmanship. As a gaming piece, it would be tempting to regard the roaring lion as a natural emblem of aggressive kingship. An alternative suggested use is that of a casket fitting. Caskets and coffers with heraldic decaoration are a known feature of wealthy medieval households, such as that of St. Louis now in the Louvre, Paris ('a small coffer, decorated with enamel medallions and heraldic shields, includes the arms of Louis IX of France and his mother Blanche of Castile among twenty-one members of the French nobility from the early thirteenth century' in the words of Audrey L. Jacobs) or the 'Minnekastchen' in Nurnberg's Germanisches Nationalmuseum (inventory HG 216). Such caskets were richly furnished with decorative detailing. A possible parallel was found at Knocking in Shropshire in 2019 and recorded with the PAS (reference WREX-ADF3E6); this lion is also modelled in the round, and its pose is 'statant gardant' with a similar (though less well-defined) double-curved tail. The integrally modelled tail is perhaps delicate for a gaming piece or casket mount and would have been easily damaged in use. Therefore, the piece might be an item of heraldic tomb furniture, perhaps similar to the carved and gilded wooden lion figurine which decorated the cap attached to the helm of the Black Prince in Canterbury cathedral.

Reserved lion passant regardant on an enamelled roundel with radiating bars to the border. 20.2 grams, 37 mm



Found Southern England. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

Depicting a robed knight and a wimpled lady in low-relief, standing flanking a crested shield of arms bearing the crowned blackletter 'n' with black letter inscribed scroll above; two rosettes below the arms, dogs statant guardant at base; with suspension loop. 47.79 grams, 75mm



Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a London gentleman. Acquired on the UK art market.

Quatrefoil pendant with interstitial spurs; reserved lion mask on an enamelled field, with tongue protruding. 12.6 grams, 39 mm



Found Southern England. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

Rectangular pendant with pelletted border, reserved repoussé crowned lion passant gardant on a keyed field to accept enamel fill. 8.2 grams, 44 mm



Found Southern England. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection. Accompanied by an old Norfolk Castle Museum record slip.

Circular die with central W motif and S’ CVNRADI GVFMAN for 'Seal of Conrad Gufman' legend, a tapering ovate sectioned handle with quatrefoil loop terminating to a second, smaller circular die also bearing a central W motif. 14.34 grams, 26 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Langtoft, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK, circa 2018. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.YORYM-2D982E.

With central motif of a lion rampant attacking a dragon, pelletted border and legend '* S' ROBERTI ODE .:' (seal of Robert Ode); strap and loop to the reverse; supplied with a short handwritten account of the Ode family's landholdings in the later 14th century. 8.98 grams, 26 mm



Found Oxburgh, Norfolk. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection. Accompanied by a handwritten private research slip.