Home > Auctions > 4 June - 8 June 2024
Ancient Art, Antiquities, Natural History & Coins
Auction Highlights:
.jpg "Greek Marble Head of Dionysus")
.jpg "Roman Veined Marble Torso of an Athlete")
.jpg "Large Middle Elamite Cylinder Seal of Kidnu, Chief Overseer of King Tan-Ruhurater II")
.jpg "Mesopotamian Torch Bearer Stand with Lion Tamer")
Fusiform, obate and other types in banded agate, haematite and other materials. 59 grams total, 12-58 mm
Ex Simmons gallery, 1990s.
From a North London, UK, collection.
Ex Simmons gallery, 1990s.
From a North London, UK, collection.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Restrung designer necklace with two central feature beads; composed of graduated beads of various types of stone, glass and shell. 19.6 grams, 42 cm long
UK gallery, early 2000s.
Cf. Hussein, M.M., Altaweel, M., Gibson, McGuire, Nimrud The Queen’s Tombs, Baghdad-Chicago, 2016, pl.164, lett.b, for a similar bead necklaces made of a mixture of stones, glass and shell.
Similar beads were found during the excavations of the royal tombs of Nimrud. Thousands of beads were discovered in the sarcophagi, including those of Nimrud’s Queens; they probably originally formed part of wide collars with multiple strands.
UK gallery, early 2000s.
Cf. Hussein, M.M., Altaweel, M., Gibson, McGuire, Nimrud The Queen’s Tombs, Baghdad-Chicago, 2016, pl.164, lett.b, for a similar bead necklaces made of a mixture of stones, glass and shell.
Similar beads were found during the excavations of the royal tombs of Nimrud. Thousands of beads were discovered in the sarcophagi, including those of Nimrud’s Queens; they probably originally formed part of wide collars with multiple strands.
Mainly socketed triangular-section types. 103 grams total, 20-39 mm
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Lentoid-section leaf-shaped blade with slender neck and long closed socket; Swanton's Group D1. 190 grams, 26 cm
Found near Wetwang, East Yorkshire, UK.
Acquired circa 2005.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Cf. Swanton, M.J. Spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon Settlements, London, 1973, fig.18(d).
A small number of leaf-shaped blades measuring between some 16 and 28 cm in length are similar to the smaller leaf-shaped pieces of the Swanton series C, except that they tend to be more slender overall. The socket is always narrowly split up its entire length.
Found near Wetwang, East Yorkshire, UK.
Acquired circa 2005.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Cf. Swanton, M.J. Spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon Settlements, London, 1973, fig.18(d).
A small number of leaf-shaped blades measuring between some 16 and 28 cm in length are similar to the smaller leaf-shaped pieces of the Swanton series C, except that they tend to be more slender overall. The socket is always narrowly split up its entire length.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Piriform body with overlapping impressed roundels to the shoulder replicating scale armour, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 337 grams, 10.8 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.
Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.
Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
With swept blade and triangular socket with extension to the rear; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 659 grams total including stand, axehead: 24.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Including a slender leaf-shaped type, square-section tanged type and others. 67.1 grams total, 5.8-12.3 cm
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.
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.
Lentoid-section narrow blade with thick shoulder, closed socket; Swanton's Group I2. 159 grams, 26 cm
Found near Wetwang, East Yorkshire, UK.
Acquired circa 2005.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Cf. Swanton, M.J. Spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon Settlements, London, 1973, fig.47.
Exhibited at Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 14th March-9th June 2024; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefact on display.
The spear-heads of group I2 belong to a larger number of blades with more slender and regularly curved leaf-shapes than previous types. The majority present profiles more regularly curved from junction to tip, the broader part of the blade near the middle, with the fuller comformably longer. All of the group are much of the length varying between some 25 and 35 cm.
Found near Wetwang, East Yorkshire, UK.
Acquired circa 2005.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Cf. Swanton, M.J. Spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon Settlements, London, 1973, fig.47.
Exhibited at Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 14th March-9th June 2024; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefact on display.
The spear-heads of group I2 belong to a larger number of blades with more slender and regularly curved leaf-shapes than previous types. The majority present profiles more regularly curved from junction to tip, the broader part of the blade near the middle, with the fuller comformably longer. All of the group are much of the length varying between some 25 and 35 cm.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
With short curved blade and spur beneath the chin, narrow neck, deep socket with extended edges to the reverse. 360 grams, 12 cm
From the collection of a Californian, USA, gentleman, dating back to the late 1960s.
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIV, item 4, for identical type.
The Curonians were known as fierce warriors and sailors who were involved in several wars and alliances with the Swedish, Danish and Icelandic Vikings. Baltic tribes created an original and impressive set of weaponry. They included battle knives, battle axes and spears and javelins with medium sized heads of a characteristic shape.
From the collection of a Californian, USA, gentleman, dating back to the late 1960s.
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIV, item 4, for identical type.
The Curonians were known as fierce warriors and sailors who were involved in several wars and alliances with the Swedish, Danish and Icelandic Vikings. Baltic tribes created an original and impressive set of weaponry. They included battle knives, battle axes and spears and javelins with medium sized heads of a characteristic shape.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Comprising an ovoid body with a rectangular void to accept a strap; the lower section broad with a rib to the underside, the upper flat in section with latten panel inlay to one face. 291 grams, 16 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, grave 735, for type.
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, grave 735, for type.
Substantial cast cupola with socket to the apex; possibly from a field artillery piece. 110 grams, 67 mm
Reputed to have been excavated near Viables in Hampshire at the end of the 19th century.
From the estate of the late Jennifer Simmonds.
Acquired from Jacobs & Hunt auctioneers, Petersfield, Hampshire, UK.
See Marsden, E.A., Greek and Roman Artillery. Historical Development, Oxford, 1969, for discussion; cf.Russo, F., Tormenta, Venti secoli di Artiglieria Meccanica,, Roma, 2002, p.209, fig.51, for the frontal sculpture of a catapult of 1st century A.D. preserved in the Vaticani Musei, fitted with similar bosses.
The circular umbo does not correspond to any known central shield boss, as it also lacks the lower edge; instead, it finds a good correspondence with the circular bosses that reinforced the lower and upper frame of a catapult, equipped with a central bronze cover.
Reputed to have been excavated near Viables in Hampshire at the end of the 19th century.
From the estate of the late Jennifer Simmonds.
Acquired from Jacobs & Hunt auctioneers, Petersfield, Hampshire, UK.
See Marsden, E.A., Greek and Roman Artillery. Historical Development, Oxford, 1969, for discussion; cf.Russo, F., Tormenta, Venti secoli di Artiglieria Meccanica,, Roma, 2002, p.209, fig.51, for the frontal sculpture of a catapult of 1st century A.D. preserved in the Vaticani Musei, fitted with similar bosses.
The circular umbo does not correspond to any known central shield boss, as it also lacks the lower edge; instead, it finds a good correspondence with the circular bosses that reinforced the lower and upper frame of a catapult, equipped with a central bronze cover.
Comprising forty-five arrowheads of various types, including triangular, lanceolate and leaf-shaped; mainly tanged, some barbed. 557 grams total, 3.2-17.1 cm
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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1129 - 1140 of 2809 LOTS
1129 - 1140 of 2809 LOTS
