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Home > Auctions > 5 - 9 March 2024: Ancient Art, Antiquities,
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Auction Highlights:

Sold for (Inc. bp): £15,600
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,850
Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,750
Sold for (Inc. bp): £41,600
Sold for (Inc. bp): £32,500
Sold for (Inc. bp): £29,900
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
Sold for (Inc. bp): £15,600
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
Sold for (Inc. bp): £23,400
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,640
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
Lot No. 0357
18
CELTIBERIAN GOLD NECK TORC
Sold for (Inc. bp): £14,950
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,100
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
Sold for (Inc. bp): £22,100
Sold for (Inc. bp): £28,600
Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,650
Formed as two lateral conical bulbs connected at the base by a plain gusset; each cone with swept profile, the surface of the bulb with heavy facetting; socket to the centre. 23.2 grams, 34 mm

Found Hertfordshire, UK.

Cf. Treasure Hunting July 2018, p.51 (excerpt included).

Fittings of this type are known as 'moustache mounts'. Their exact function is unknown but use as the chape of a scabbard has been suggested.
Modelled in the half-round, stylized features, possibly a lion. 20.1 grams, 44 mm

‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

Cf. similar examples in PAS BERK-A940D9, LON-C12241, DOR-54D2DB, NARC-565894, HAMP2961, HAMP-7794C4, and Bushe-Fox, First report on the excavation of the Roman fort at Richborough, Kent, London, 1926, p.47, plate XV, no.29, for similar harness fittings with anthropomorfic or animal head.

Such strap dividers are thought to date to the late Iron Age, to the late 1st century BC or early 1st century AD. They were used from Celts and Romans (or from the Celt Auxiliaries inside the Roman Army) for horse harness and also by the Essedarii (chariot fighters of Celtic origins) for the horses of their chariots in the Roman Circuses.
Lot No. 1554
3
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Arched bow-brooch tapering to each end, one with flat palmette panels holding a pivoting pin and the other a ribbed catch with two small posts supporting a sprung plate. 9.02 grams, 49 mm

Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s.
From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.

Cf. Hattatt, R., Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, 1987, item 1371, where a Macedonian origin is proposed for the Phrygian-derived form.

Gorica-type bronze bow-brooch with knop to the forward edge of the catchplate. 11.8 grams, 68 mm

Ex ArtAncient Ltd, London, SW6, with item id.16186.
From the private collection of Mr A Hills, Kent, UK.

Cf. Hattatt, R., Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, 1987, item 745.

Mixed group including La Tène harness fitting with hidden face, Roman plate brooch complete with pin, thimble, two finger rings, two casket keys, glass bead and other items. 184 grams total, 11-67 mm

UK gallery, early 2000s.

With carinated arching neck, crescent 'horns' above the forehead, inset blue glass eyes. 12 grams, 34 mm

From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Cf. Durham, E., Metal Figurines in Roman Britain, vol. 2, Reading, 2010, plates 287, 289, for type.

Tubular shank with gussets above the rim, D-shaped face with swept-back hair, inset glass eyes; cracked. 30 grams, 30 mm

From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Cf. Durham, E., Metal Figurines in Roman Britain, vol. 2, Reading, 2010, plate 211 for similar form of head on a full-length figure.

Modelled in the round with curved panels for arms, pierced eye sockets, pinched facial features. 32.1 grams, 50 mm

From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Cf. Durham, E., Metal Figurines in Roman Britain, vol. 2, Reading, 2010, pl.248.

Ellipsoid bezel with segmented face forming cells: band of five rectangles placed medially with spandrels to each side. 7.2 grams, 21 mm

From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Modelled in the round with dorsal and lateral fins; mounted on a custom-made stand. 110 grams total, 61 mm wide including stand

From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Modelled in the half-round with hatched fur detailing to the forehead, tiers to the horns. 46 grams, 41 mm

From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Cf. Leahy, K. & Lewis, M., British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme: Finds Identified, Witham, 2018, p.168.

Two fragments from a decorative mirror handle comprising a portion of the shank formed as two loops joined by a transverse disc, and a bifacial finial with volute scroll enclosing three domed discs (reversed and three round sockets for enamelled studs (obverse). 132 grams total, 46-67 mm

From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Cf. similar in the British Museum under accession no.1981,0504.1.

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