Home > Auctions > 3 - 8 September 2024
Ancient Art, Antiquities, Natural History & Coins
Auction Highlights:
.jpg "Egyptian Granite Head of a Dignitary")
.jpg "Roman Marble Portrait of a Boy as Worshipper of Isis")
.jpg "Larger Than Life-Size Roman Bronze Sandaled Foot")
Sold for (Inc. bp): £20,800
.jpg "Byzantine Porphyry Relief with Cross Surrounded by Two Birds")
.jpg "Carved Marble Memento Mori Skull")
Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body decorated with concentric circle motifs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 460 grams, 11.1 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.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Comprising four socketted arrowheads, mainly triangular or foliate in section, trilobate and with short socket, one with holes for the application of incendiary material; two with barbs. 25 grams total, 33-38 mm
UK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. Furtwängler, A., Olympia. Die Ergebnisse der von dem Deutschen Reich veranstalteten Ausgrabung, Band 4. 2 Bände (Textband, Tafelband), Berlin, 1890, pl.LXIV, nos.1076, 1079, 1082, 1083, 1086, 1090; Sekunda, N., Marathon 490 BC, The first Persian invasion of Greece, Oxford, 2002, p.60.
In Greek warfare archery was mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans for longer-ranks. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew.
UK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. Furtwängler, A., Olympia. Die Ergebnisse der von dem Deutschen Reich veranstalteten Ausgrabung, Band 4. 2 Bände (Textband, Tafelband), Berlin, 1890, pl.LXIV, nos.1076, 1079, 1082, 1083, 1086, 1090; Sekunda, N., Marathon 490 BC, The first Persian invasion of Greece, Oxford, 2002, p.60.
In Greek warfare archery was mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans for longer-ranks. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew.
.jpg "100 Civil War Period Lead Musket Balls")
Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Mixed group of lead-alloy musket and carbine balls, some with casting seam and sprue nipple. 1.74 kg total, 9-19 mm
Found Hertfordshire, UK.
Found Hertfordshire, UK.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Piriform body with segmented shoulder and impressed roundels, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 294 grams, 91 mm
From a military inspired collection formed from the 1990s.
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 military inspired collection formed from the 1990s.
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.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
A hand-forged iron axehead with square chin to the blade, flanges raised to the socket, rear round hammer-head. 200 grams, 15.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate LII, item 15.
The more commonly used weapons of the Finno-Ugrian people were axes, commonly found in all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade.
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate LII, item 15.
The more commonly used weapons of the Finno-Ugrian people were axes, commonly found in all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising two spearheads, each with a split socket and leaf-shaped blade, shallow midribs. 429 grams total, spearheads: 21-28.5 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
Cf. Allen, S., Celtic Warrior 300 BC-AD 100, Oxford, 2001, p.31, for similar.
In the Celtic world the spear was the primary weapon and symbol of a warrior. The Greek historian Strabo comments that the Celts carried two types of spear: a larger, heavier one for thrusting; and a smaller, lighter javelin that could be both thrown and used at closed quarters.
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
Cf. Allen, S., Celtic Warrior 300 BC-AD 100, Oxford, 2001, p.31, for similar.
In the Celtic world the spear was the primary weapon and symbol of a warrior. The Greek historian Strabo comments that the Celts carried two types of spear: a larger, heavier one for thrusting; and a smaller, lighter javelin that could be both thrown and used at closed quarters.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Including narrow flint spearheads with barbs, D-shaped blades, pointed burins and other tools; the larger spearheads probable reproductions. 427 grams total, 3.3-14.5 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.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
With rounded butt and convex sides, curved cutting edge; coarse-grained stone; scar to one face behind edge. 612 grams, 11.6 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.
Cf. MacGregor, A., (ed.) Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the Collection of Lord MacAlpine of West Green, Oxford, 1987, item 6.19.
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. MacGregor, A., (ed.) Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the Collection of Lord MacAlpine of West Green, Oxford, 1987, item 6.19.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Comprising an ovate scraper with old collector's label, a triangular-section leaf-shaped blade, a rectangular scraper and a polished axehead with inked inscription: 'L1956-15'. 476 grams total, 69-128 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.
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.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Marked with old collector's inked titles 'La Lionne, quartier de Loiselay. Sorgues (Vaucluse)', La Gravette 10.67', 'Vircoulon'; and one indistinct. 48 grams total, 6.5-11.8 cm
Found Southern France.
Acquired on the UK art market in the 1970s.
From the collection of famous UK musician and amateur archaeologist, Victor Brox (1941-2023), formed in the 1980s-1990s.
From the private collection of an East Anglian, UK, collector.
Found Southern France.
Acquired on the UK art market in the 1970s.
From the collection of famous UK musician and amateur archaeologist, Victor Brox (1941-2023), formed in the 1980s-1990s.
From the private collection of an East Anglian, UK, collector.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Triangular in plan with curved edge, gusset to the reverse face. 179 grams, 81 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.
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.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Small implement with small area of cortex to the butt; with an old inked inscription: '10.46.1036.A Twydall'. 94 grams, 76 mm
Found Twydall, Kent, UK.
Richard Jones collection, Welling, Kent, UK, 1912-1915.
Ex Rochester Museum, Kent collections.
Specialist collection of J Edwin Jarvis.
Ex Martin Schoyen collection, London, UK.
Accompanied by a copy of an article on the site at Twydall.
The Twydall finds are discussed in Beresford, F.R., Palaeolithic Material From Lower Twydall Chalk Pit In Kent: The Cook And Killick Collection, in Lithics, Vol.39, 2021.
Found Twydall, Kent, UK.
Richard Jones collection, Welling, Kent, UK, 1912-1915.
Ex Rochester Museum, Kent collections.
Specialist collection of J Edwin Jarvis.
Ex Martin Schoyen collection, London, UK.
Accompanied by a copy of an article on the site at Twydall.
The Twydall finds are discussed in Beresford, F.R., Palaeolithic Material From Lower Twydall Chalk Pit In Kent: The Cook And Killick Collection, in Lithics, Vol.39, 2021.
Page 99 of 281
1177 - 1188 of 3369 LOTS
1177 - 1188 of 3369 LOTS
