Auction Highlights
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Egyptian Wooden Stela for Pa-di-Amun-(em)-ipat with Ra-Horakhty
Sold for (Inc. bp): £15,600
Arch-topped and composed of two vertical boards, coated with gesso and skilfully painted on one side; the lunette decorated with a winged sun-disc and two pendant uraei; the central vignette depicting the deceased worshipping the falcon-headed god Ra-Horakhty with the Four Sons of Horus standing behind, each with their name written above; the lower register with six lines of hieroglyphic text providing an offering formula for the benefit of the deceased: Transliteration of the hieroglyphs: 1) ḥtp-dı-͗nsw rꜤ-ḥr-Ꜣḫtı͗nṯr Ꜥ nb pt sḥḏ [.....] wsır͗ ẖntt [ım͗ntt?] 2) nṯr Ꜥ nb Ꜣbḏw dı⸗͗f pr.t-ḫrw t ḥnḳt kꜢ Ꜣpd [....] ḫt nb(t) (n) fr(t) wꜢbt […] 3) ḫt nbt nḏm dı⸗͗f ḥtpw ḏfꜢw [...]f ḫꜢ m t dı⸗͗f ḫꜢ m 4) ḥnḳt dı⸗͗f ẖꜢ ır͗p [...] dı⸗͗f ḫꜢ m ı͗[...] dı⸗͗f ḫꜢ ı(͗Ꜣ)r(r)t dı⸗͗f 5) m snṯr ḥr ḫꜢwt [...] ḳrs nfr ḥr ım͗nt nfr 6) n [..] wsır͗ [......] pꜢ-dı-͗ım͗n(m) ıp͗ Ꜣ.t ms (n) ḫꜢ [....] Translation: 1) An offering that the king and Ra-Horakhty, Great God, Lord of Heaven, the illuminated [...] Osiris Foremost [of the West?] 2) Great God, Lord of Abydos (that) he may give a voice-offering (of) bread, beer, oxen, and fowl […] everything good and pure […] 3) everything sweet, he gives offerings of provisions […] a thousand of bread, he gives a thousand of 4) beer, he gives a thousand of wine […], he gives a thousand of vines, he gives a thousand of 5) incense on the altar […] a good burial in the beautiful West 6) for […] the Osiris[…] Pa-di-Amun-(em)-ipat born (to) Kha[…]; on the verso, an old handwritten collection label reading: 'From Harding & Sm[ith] Collection Sale Sotheby 2 Nov 1922 L.N. 234. A families[sic] stele, arched top, with the deceased worshipping a standing Horus attended by the four Children of Horus and six horizontal lines of inscription in colour. SP/10a'; mounted in a custom-made wooden frame. -
Romano-Egyptian Terracotta Figure of Eros
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,850
Depicted nude in a dynamic pose with his legs apart and the weight of the body upon his right leg, standing in front of a two storey structure, probably an oven; his left arm raised and right arm extended in front of his torso and resting on the edge of the structure; the oven painted pink at the top and white at the bottom with an offering receptacle at floor level. -
Egyptian Indurated Limestone Frog-Shaped Cosmetic Vessel
Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,750
Squat ovoid in profile, modelled with the legs folded beneath the body, with hollow socket eyes, flared rim to mouth; copper lug on either side. -
Attic Black-Figure Neck-Amphora with Gorgon and Quadriga Attributed to the Swing Painter
Sold for (Inc. bp): £41,600
With inverted echinus lip and tall neck, a ribbed handle to each side with coiling lotus buds and palmettes beneath the handles; Side a) a running winged Gorgon depicted frontally, dressed in a black and red chiton; Side b) an aristocratic warrior wearing a Chalcidian helmet and driving a quadriga, the two central horses superimposed, the other two turned outward; a frieze of lotus buds and a band Greek key motifs below, the neck decorated with red and black palmettes, and elongated lotus blossoms; restored. -
Attic Red-Figure Bell Krater with Drunken Male Revellers Attributed to the Kadmos Painter
Sold for (Inc. bp): £32,500
With a high foot, laurel wreath encircling the neck, checkerboard and meander patterns alternating around the lower body, roundels of tongue motif to the handles with palmettes and tendrils below; two red-figure scenes to the body: Side a: a high-quality depiction of a kōmos composed of five figures, including a young man holding a torch, a double flute player next to three dancers, all possibly followers of Dionysus; Side b: three draped figures conversing comprising a central female figure between two opposed male figures, one holding a staff; two old labels: one with 3061-133 on the inner rim, and 113/2 (believed to be an old Christie's lot label from the 1960s by Richard Falkiner) on the sidewall, further old accession numbers 321 and 35 under the base. -
Hellenistic Gold Ring with Galley Gemstone
Sold for (Inc. bp): £29,900
With D-section hollow-formed hoop and flared ellipsoid bezel, set with a Roman intaglio depicting a war galley under sail. -
Roman 'Published' Terracotta Oil Lamp with Fighting Gladiators
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
Grey fabric, broad discus with concentric rings and chamfered shoulder, short nozzle flanked by volute scrolls; scene of two murmillo gladiators in combat, one having fallen to the ground; maker's stamp to the underside 'MAR[..]S'; mounted on a custom-made stand. -
Roman Inked Wooden Tablet for a Contract Between Bassus and Neronianus
Sold for (Inc. bp): £15,600
A reused tablet with a recessed panel on one side, the last tablet of a legal document which consisted of two (diptychon) or three tablets (triptychon); ten black inked lines of New Roman cursive script, the end of a record of a transaction in formulaic legal language, probably a sales contract, between the buyer (emptor) Bassus and a person called Neronianus; traces of text (perhaps in rustic capitals) to the reverse. -
Roman Marble Head of Hercules Wearing the Nemean Lion Skin
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
Modelled with naturalistic features, gazing left, sculpted pupils and strong lids; luxuriant beard and moustache framing the face; strong forehead with tightly formed curls emerging from beneath the lion's skin hood; the hood with clear eye detailing and the mane with regularly arranged tufts; original iron pin to the front of the muzzle; mounted on a custom-made display stand. -
Roman Marble Head of Dionysus
Sold for (Inc. bp): £23,400
From a Greek original, wearing a crown of leaves and corymbs, hair falling in straight lines underneath the diadem; full beard composed of four rows of thick tufts with drilled holes; slightly open mouth with a fleshy lower lip; low cheekbones and hollow cheeks; large almond-shaped eyes with lachrymal duct; mounted on a custom-made display stand. -
'The Anglesey' Romano-British Marble Head of a Celtic Warrior
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
Carved with comma-leaf detailing to the hair, a low brow over almond-shaped eyes, broad triangular nose and thick moustache obscuring the mouth; mounted on a custom-made stand. -
Proto-Sumerian Terracotta Tablet with Archaic Text
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
Lentoid-section slab with incised grid to each face: one with three columns, impressed roundels and crescents, grid and other symbols; the other face with four columns, each cell filled with marks and symbols. -
Babylonian Cuneiform Tablet, a Clothes Receipt from Puzur-Akum to Astaqar
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,640
Pillow-shaped clay tablet with cuneiform text to both broad faces and one edge from Garšana (iv/Šu-Sîn 8?), a receipt for various clothing, with several dedications to the deities Ninsiana, Mami, Dadmuštum and Šubula; Dadmuštum is rarely mentioned, reading: '1 tu ba-tab tuh-hu-um 3-kam us 2 1 tu ša -ga-du ba-tab tug-hu-um / 3-kam us 1 tu ta -ki-ru-um 3-kam us 4 dnin- dsi -an-na 4 tu guz-za 4-kam us 6 2 tu guz-za 4-kam us dma-mi x ? 2 tu guz-za 4-kam us / dda-ad-muš-tum R 8 2 tu niĝ -lam 4-kam us dšu-bu-la ki-la -bi 26 1/3 ma-na 10 2 tu bar-dul us-bar 4 tu sag us-bar 12 5 tu us -bar 4 ma-na 3 tu mug 14 ki !-aš-ta -gar -ta puzur -a-ku-um šu ba-ti 16 iti ki-siki- dnin-a-zu mu ma -gur -mah mu-/dim' translation: '1 (simple) garment batab tuhhum (a kind of fabric?), thrice, medium quality 1 garment šagadu (of linen) batab tuhhum thrice, medium quality 1 garment takirum, thrice, medium quality (for) Ninsiana; 4 tufted garments, in quadruple, medium quality 2 tufted garments, in quadruple, medium quality : (for) Mami 2 tufted garments, in quadruple, medium quality : (for) Dadmuštum. 2 niglam garments, in quadruple, medium quality : (for) Šubula Their weight is 26 1/3 mines. 2 bardul garments (from) the weavers 4 garments if first quality (from) the weavers 5 (simple) garments étoffes (from) the weavers : 4 mines 3 garments in coarse wool Puzur-Akum has received (these garments) from Aštaqar. In the month of Kisiki.Ninazu The year in which the big (ceremonial) boat was built'. -
Western Asiatic Ceramic Ibex Rhyton
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
With trumpet-shaped mouth, ibex-shaped finial with curved horns and legs folded beneath the body, spout to the chest; repaired. -
Celtiberian Gold Neck Torc
Sold for (Inc. bp): £14,950
A heavy penannular neck torc with carinated body and tapering coiled terminals. -
'The Dullingham' Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Great Square-Headed Brooch
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
With trapezoidal headplate, shallow bow, narrow triangular foot and pelta-shaped finial, pin-lugs and catch to the reverse; the headplate with (originally silvered) angled panels to the upper corners and D-shaped lug at the middle of the upper edge; rectangular corner panels interrupting a frieze of Salin's Style I face motifs, inner plain band and raised rectangular panel above the junction with the ribbed bow; lappets of Salin's Style I profile heads flanking the junction of the bow with the footplate and vertical bar running to the finial, bisecting a cruciform panel with Salin's Style I zoomorphic forms, and outer plain lobes; finial comprising a disc with four radiating ribbed arms and central boss, pelta-shaped terminal; cleaned and one lateral lobe reattached. -
'The Driffield' Anglo-Saxon Enamelled Bowl Mount
Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
With a slightly domed profile and a raised circumferential border to the upper face; decorated with Celtic designs featuring elaborate curvilinear tendrils and triskele-style swirls enclosing an area of fine-line trumpet spiral designs, set around a central rectangular panel filled with millefiori-style enamel work in the form of an irregular chequerboard of blue and yellow enamel, the circular recesses retaining red enamel traces; two parallel rivets to the reverse. -
'The Ferryhill' Anglo-Scandinavian Viking Bronze Three-Dimensional Urnes Stirrup-Type Mount with Head of Odin
Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,100
A bowed anthropomorphic mount in the form of the face of Odin, with oval right and damaged left eye, beard and hair raised to form a convex shape, rounded cheeks, a triangular nose and a beard, moustache with lateral protrusion, the hair openwork and formed of entwined linear elements, five rivet holes present. -
Medieval Decorated 'He who loves from the heart, gives with a good heart' Posy Boxwood Comb
Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,100
Central panel decorated with a heart pierced by two arrows and inscription: 'qui de bon [COER] eyme', and verso openwork carving of blind interlaces and inscription: 'de bon [COER] donne', translating to 'He who loves from the heart, gives with a good heart'; probably given as a love token. -
Medieval Bronze Aquamanile of a Male Bust
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
Hollow-formed vessel formed as a male bust; discoid body with chamfered shoulder bearing bands of running zigzag detailing and three splayed feet; the head with low-relief hair and rim of bosses with linear spirals, gracile facial features with lentoid eyes and slender nose, small pouting mouth; short spout to the forehead, filler-hole to top of the head with hinged cover; handle to the rear formed as a reptile with head and forepaws placed on the hair below the hinge and joining the base above one of the feet. -
Medieval Limoges Gilt Christ Crowned on the Cross
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
Parcel-gilt bronze crucifix with cloisonné enamel geometric ornament; separate appliqué Corpus Christi, crowned with detailed musculature; lower legs and feet absent; mounted on a custom-made stand. -
Medieval Chrismatory with Limoges Panels
Sold for (Inc. bp): £22,100
Inner wooden casket with chamfered rim and separate lid, encased within rectangular gilt-bronze panels with enamel decoration, four gilt-bronze stud feet to the underside; the lid with three nimbate figures, a female saint with palm frond and two flanking figures holding books, all reserved on a blue field with interstitial polychrome rosettes; Side A: nimbate bearded bust of Christ in Majesty with right hand in gesture of benison, left hand supporting a book, flanked by two winged nimbate angels; Side B: nimbate bust of a winged angel in a roundel; Side C: geometric repeating pattern of lozenges with floral fill; Side D: mirror image of Side B. -
Medieval Gold Heraldic Signet Ring with Goat
Sold for (Inc. bp): £28,600
Substantial D-section hoop, expanding shoulders with reserved flowers and foliage, discoid bezel with intaglio regardant leaping goat in a pelletted ring, fronds and stars in the field, enigmatic inscription 'd[..] / de.to'. -
Medieval Bronze Corpus Christi
Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,650
With flat-topped crown, hair hanging in hanks to the shoulders, long D-shaped face with domed eyes, slender figure with ribs emphasised, knee-length loincloth falling in rippling folds; mounted on a custom-made stand.
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Norman Coins - King David I of Scotland - Roxburgh - Cross Fleury AR Penny 1136-1153 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
Obv: crowned bust with a sceptre, and DAVIT REX legend. Rev: cross fleury with large pellet in each angle with [ ]O:V[ ] legend for Roxburgh mint and uncertain moneyer. 1.16 grams, 21 mm.
Good very fine/good fine for issue. Extremely rare.
Found by Phil Harvey near St. Margaret, South Elmham, Waveney, Suffolk, UK, whilst searching with a metal detector on 19th May 2019. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.NMS-1BDD04. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no 12030-213770. -
English Medieval Coins - Henry II - Winchester / Willelm - Tealby AR Penny 1158-1161 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Bust A2. Obv: facing bust with sceptre and +HENRI REX ANG legend. Rev: short cross and crosslets with +WILLEL[ ]IN legend for the moneyer Willelm at Winchester. 1.38 grams, 19.76 mm.
Good fine.
Found Surlingham, Norfolk, UK, in March 2023. -
English Medieval Coins - Richard I - London - AR Short Cross Penny 1189-1199 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Class 3A. Obv: facing bust with sceptre and HENRICVS REX legend. Rev: short voided cross and quatrefoils with +[ ].ON.LVN legend for London mint. 1.19 grams, 20 mm.
Near fine.
Acquired on the UK art market. From the private collection of Mr G.B., Hampshire, UK. -
English Medieval Coins - Henry III - London/Nicole - AR Long Voided Cross Penny 1247-1272 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Class 5b2. Obv: facing bust with HENRICVS REX III legend. Rev: long voided cross with pellets in angles dividing NIC OLE ONL VND legend for the moneyer Nicole at London mint. 1.34 grams, 17 mm.
Very fine.
Ex A.G. & S. Gillis. Acquired since the 1970s. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an old Gillis coin ticket. -
Scottish Coins - Alexander III - AR Farthing 1280-1286 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Second coinage. Obv: profile bust with sceptre and ALEXANDER REX legend. Rev: long cross and four six-pointed mullets dividing SC OT OR VM legend. 0.33 grams, 12.78 mm.
Very fine. Rare.
Found Yorkshire, UK. From a private Co. Durham, UK, collection. -
English Medieval Coins - Edward III - London - Pre Treaty AR Halfgroat 1351-1352 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Series C. Obv: facing bust in tressure with +EDWARDVS REX ANGLI Z FRANC legend. Rev: long cross and pellets with +POSVI DEV ADIVTOREM and LONDON CIVITAS legends for London mint. 2.42 grams, 22 mm.
Good fine.
From the private collection of a New York, USA gentleman. -
English Medieval Coins - Henry IV - London - Annulets by Neck AR Halfpenny 1399-1412 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Light coinage. Obv: crowned facing bust with HENRIC REX ANGL legend. Rev: long cross pattée dividing legend, with three pellets in each angle and CIVI TAS LOn DOn legend for London mint. 0.43 grams, 8.88 mm.
Fine, chipped. Rare.
Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman. -
English Medieval Coins - Henry VI - Calais - AR Halfgroat 1422-1430 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Obv: facing bust with annulet each side and +HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FR legend. Rev: long cross with annulet in two quarters dividing POSVI DEVM ADIVTOREM M and VILLA CALIS legends for the Calais mint. 1.58 grams, 20 mm.
Good fine.
Acquired since the 1970s. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
English Medieval Coins - Edward IV - Second Reign - AR Groat 1471-1483 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Obv: facing bust in tressure with EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC legend and 'small annulet' mintmark. Rev: long cross and pellets with POSVI DEVM ADIVTORE MEVM and CIVITAS LONDON legends for London mint. 2.95 grams, 24 mm.
Very fine, scarce.
Acquired since the 1970s. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
English Medieval Coins - Edward IV - Bristol - AR Groat 1464-1470 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
First Reign, light coinage, Bristol mint. Obv: crowned facing bust, B below, quatrefoils each side of neck, within tressure of nine arcs, fleurs on cusps, mintmark Crown (1468-69) on obverse. Rev: long cross pattée, tri-pellets in each inner angle, twin concentric legends and beaded circles surrounding, mintmark Crown. 2.82 grams, 25 mm.
Fine, clipped.
Found Hertfordshire, UK. -
English Medieval Coins - Edward IV - London - Lis on Breast AR Halfpenny 1461-1470 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
First Reign, heavy coinage. Obv: facing bust with lis on breast, +EDWARDVS REX legend. Rev: long cross and pellets dividing CIVITAS LONDON legend for London mint; plain cross mintmark. 0.42 grams, 13 mm.
Fine.
Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman. -
English Medieval Coins - Henry VII - London - Long Cross AR Halfgroat 1485-1509 A.D.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Type IIIc, open crown, smaller lettering. Obv: facing bust in tressure with HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL Z FR legend with 'lis' mintmark. Rev: long cross with pellet-in-lozenge centre and pellets, POSVI DEV ADIVTOREM MEV and CIVI TAS LOn DOn legend with rosette stops for London mint. 0.97 grams, 11.79 mm.
Fine.
Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.