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Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins
A Rare War Chariot Handle
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820
Sceptre head or other fitting with biconvex flange, possibly a finial from the yoke of a chariot. 314 grams total, 45-75 mm
Found Colchester, Essex, UK, 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Jope, E. M., Early Celtic Art, Oxford, 2000, pl.302-3, described as a vehicle pole and yoke fittings; Macdonald, P., Llyn Cerrig Bach. A Study of the Copper Alloy Artefacts from the Insular La Tène Assemblage, Cardiff, 2007, fig.23, item 49; cf. similar offered in Christie's, London, 12 December 1984, no.26A (£7,000-£10,000).
Twenty or so 'horn caps' are known in museums and private collections, all have been found in Britain and mostly in Southern England. This type of decorative cap is from the end of a curved wooden handle which projected from the back of an Iron Age chariot, by which a warrior could pull himself back into the chariot. The chariot to which this would have been attached would have belonged to a chief or wealthy warrior from the Icenic tribe.
Found Colchester, Essex, UK, 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Jope, E. M., Early Celtic Art, Oxford, 2000, pl.302-3, described as a vehicle pole and yoke fittings; Macdonald, P., Llyn Cerrig Bach. A Study of the Copper Alloy Artefacts from the Insular La Tène Assemblage, Cardiff, 2007, fig.23, item 49; cf. similar offered in Christie's, London, 12 December 1984, no.26A (£7,000-£10,000).
Twenty or so 'horn caps' are known in museums and private collections, all have been found in Britain and mostly in Southern England. This type of decorative cap is from the end of a curved wooden handle which projected from the back of an Iron Age chariot, by which a warrior could pull himself back into the chariot. The chariot to which this would have been attached would have belonged to a chief or wealthy warrior from the Icenic tribe.
.jpg "The Middle Aston Large Anglo-Saxon Gilt Bronze Saucer Brooch with Bird Motif and Composite Boss")
Museum Recorded
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
With a deep flange, chamfered inner ridge and eye-shaped motifs, second chamfered edge with a wide inner band of Style I bird motif decoration surrounding a central rivetted boss, catchplate and pin-lug to verso; signs of an academically interesting ancient rivetted repair to the outer flange; rare. 36 grams, 59 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Middle Aston, Cherwell, Oxfordshire, UK, on Wednesday 1st May 2024.
Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.OXON-B4DF83.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Hammond, Brett, British Artefacts Volume 1 - Early Anglo-Saxon, 2009, p.55, fig,1.1.6.6-h & i; cf. pair of saucer brooches from Berinsfield in MacGregor, A. & Bolick, E., A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non-Ferrous Metals), item 2.43; and Dickinson, T., Early Saxon Saucer Brooches: A Preliminary Overview' Anglo-Saxon Studies in Archaeology and History, 1993, 6 pp.11-44.
Saucer brooches are a female Saxon fashion, contemporary with the Anglian penannular and cruciform types, normally worn at the shoulders to secure a tubular dress.
Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Middle Aston, Cherwell, Oxfordshire, UK, on Wednesday 1st May 2024.
Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.OXON-B4DF83.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Hammond, Brett, British Artefacts Volume 1 - Early Anglo-Saxon, 2009, p.55, fig,1.1.6.6-h & i; cf. pair of saucer brooches from Berinsfield in MacGregor, A. & Bolick, E., A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non-Ferrous Metals), item 2.43; and Dickinson, T., Early Saxon Saucer Brooches: A Preliminary Overview' Anglo-Saxon Studies in Archaeology and History, 1993, 6 pp.11-44.
Saucer brooches are a female Saxon fashion, contemporary with the Anglian penannular and cruciform types, normally worn at the shoulders to secure a tubular dress.
.jpg "Frankish Silver-Gilt S-Shaped Bird Brooch with Garnets")
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
S-shaped plate brooch formed with a profile bird-head finial at each end with inset garnet cabochon eye, hatched panels and inlaid garnet cloisons; pin-lugs and catch to reverse. 7.58 grams, 30 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Beck, H. et al., Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, item 468; similar brooches from the Frankish cemetery at Monceau-le-Neuf-et-Faucouzy, deptn Aisne, France in Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, item VII.23.2; and the S-fibula from Schwarz-Rheindorf, Westphalia, in Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, item VII.48.27.
During the mid-sixth century the S-brooch, along with the disc brooch, became popular. These were made primarily of gilded silver embellished with garnet inlays or in garnet cloisonné. Early forms of S-shaped brooches appear in graves in Scandinavia throughout the fifth century and in Europe during the first decades of the sixth century, and reached the height of their popularity during the latter half of that time. They were widespread across Europe and are found in central and western Europe, Italy, Scandinavia and Anglo-Saxon England. They generally take the form of an S-shaped body with heads at either end facing in opposite directions. The heads are generally depicted as birds but examples are known of unidentified animals with splayed open jaws, possibly dragons or wolves. The use of the head imagery is consistent with the aesthetic tendencies associated with the northern, Pagan Germanic world.
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Beck, H. et al., Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, item 468; similar brooches from the Frankish cemetery at Monceau-le-Neuf-et-Faucouzy, deptn Aisne, France in Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, item VII.23.2; and the S-fibula from Schwarz-Rheindorf, Westphalia, in Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, item VII.48.27.
During the mid-sixth century the S-brooch, along with the disc brooch, became popular. These were made primarily of gilded silver embellished with garnet inlays or in garnet cloisonné. Early forms of S-shaped brooches appear in graves in Scandinavia throughout the fifth century and in Europe during the first decades of the sixth century, and reached the height of their popularity during the latter half of that time. They were widespread across Europe and are found in central and western Europe, Italy, Scandinavia and Anglo-Saxon England. They generally take the form of an S-shaped body with heads at either end facing in opposite directions. The heads are generally depicted as birds but examples are known of unidentified animals with splayed open jaws, possibly dragons or wolves. The use of the head imagery is consistent with the aesthetic tendencies associated with the northern, Pagan Germanic world.
The 'Holy Grail' of Stirrup Mounts
Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
An excessively rare example of Williams Class A, Type 3 showing a standing nude man with beard and long moustache, an animal-like form around the man's waist extending towards the flanking serpents on each side, the serpents' tails wrapped around the man's legs and their open jaws gape on either side of the man's head. 26.6 grams, 54 mm
Found Sutton Fields, Sutton on the Forest, Yorkshire, UK, on 21 November 1999.
From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s.
Accompanied by an illustrated record sheet by Jim Halliday dated 22 November 1999, and various off-prints.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Williams, D., Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts. A Classification and catalogue, 1997, pp.36-39, figs.74-78.
Found Sutton Fields, Sutton on the Forest, Yorkshire, UK, on 21 November 1999.
From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s.
Accompanied by an illustrated record sheet by Jim Halliday dated 22 November 1999, and various off-prints.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Williams, D., Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts. A Classification and catalogue, 1997, pp.36-39, figs.74-78.
Comprising: ellipsoid central domed panel forming a bearded mask with impressed points to the pellet eyes, trumpet-shaped nose and deltoid moustache above a broad lower lip; above, curved suspension hook with horse-head detailing to the end and segmented mane; below, a triangular beast-head with narrow muzzle and ovoid ears, almond-shaped eyes. 8.47 grams, 45 mm
Found Sutton Fields, Sutton on the Forest, Yorkshire, UK, on 27 May 2005.
From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s.
Accompanied by an illustrated record card by Jim Halliday incorrectly identified as Romano-Celtic.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. the Arnside Mount in the collection of Kendal Museum for similar human mask on a bowl mount; similar item in the British Museum under accession no.1992,0502.1.
Found Sutton Fields, Sutton on the Forest, Yorkshire, UK, on 27 May 2005.
From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s.
Accompanied by an illustrated record card by Jim Halliday incorrectly identified as Romano-Celtic.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. the Arnside Mount in the collection of Kendal Museum for similar human mask on a bowl mount; similar item in the British Museum under accession no.1992,0502.1.
Extremely Rare Tara Brooch Type
Sold for (Inc. bp): £12,350
Comprising: hoop formed from two convergent crescentic flat-section arms with panels of Insular Style interlace to the obverse, the left arm with two later holes (to accept a securing chain or thong); at each wide end, a trapezoidal panel with regardant beast motif and three discoid cells; at the upper junction, a panel of two-strand interlace; between the wide ends, a narrow rectangular panel with interlace motif; the pin slightly hipped and with round-section shank, triangular headplate with three disc cells (one with amber fill) and central interlace panel; some gilding remaining. 74.4 grams, 13.2 cm
Found by Mr Steven Thomas whilst searching with a metal detector in Powys, Wales, UK, on 28th July 2023.
Accompanied by a copy of the Cymru Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SN 91399 13122; NMGW-67571D.
Accompanied by a condition report and analysis, no.012501 by the Nation Museum of Cardiff.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12730-236283.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Youngs, S. (ed.), The Work of Angels. Masterpieces of Celtic Metalwork, 6th-9th centuries AD, London, 1989, for general treatment of Insular metalwork; Stevenson, R.B.K., The Hunterston Brooch and its Significance, Medieval Archaeology vol.18, 1974; Redknap, M., Insular Non-Ferrous Metalwork from wales of the 8th to 10th Centuries, in Bourke, C. (ed.), From the Isles of the North. Early Medieval Art in Ireland and Britain, Belfast, 1995; Rynne, E., Gilt Bronze Brooch from Near Kilshanny, Co.Clare, in North Munster Antiquarian Journal, vol.30, 1988.
The brooch is 'pseudo-penannular' because of the apparent gap between the flared terminals is blocked by the small rectangular panel; thus the pin cannot pass between the flared ends in the normal manner of a penannular brooch, where one of the curved arms is passed behind the pin to lock it in place. The findspot lies close to a major highway running from the kingdom of Brycheiniog to the southern part of Wales, not far from the Maen Madoc inscribed stone.
Found by Mr Steven Thomas whilst searching with a metal detector in Powys, Wales, UK, on 28th July 2023.
Accompanied by a copy of the Cymru Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SN 91399 13122; NMGW-67571D.
Accompanied by a condition report and analysis, no.012501 by the Nation Museum of Cardiff.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12730-236283.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Youngs, S. (ed.), The Work of Angels. Masterpieces of Celtic Metalwork, 6th-9th centuries AD, London, 1989, for general treatment of Insular metalwork; Stevenson, R.B.K., The Hunterston Brooch and its Significance, Medieval Archaeology vol.18, 1974; Redknap, M., Insular Non-Ferrous Metalwork from wales of the 8th to 10th Centuries, in Bourke, C. (ed.), From the Isles of the North. Early Medieval Art in Ireland and Britain, Belfast, 1995; Rynne, E., Gilt Bronze Brooch from Near Kilshanny, Co.Clare, in North Munster Antiquarian Journal, vol.30, 1988.
The brooch is 'pseudo-penannular' because of the apparent gap between the flared terminals is blocked by the small rectangular panel; thus the pin cannot pass between the flared ends in the normal manner of a penannular brooch, where one of the curved arms is passed behind the pin to lock it in place. The findspot lies close to a major highway running from the kingdom of Brycheiniog to the southern part of Wales, not far from the Maen Madoc inscribed stone.
Comprising: articulated arms for a scale balance with spike gnomon and loop handle; two hemispherical bowls each with suspension holes at the rim, four short chains connected to a hemispherical distributor with triangular dangle below. 53.5 grams, 45 cm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See Graham-Campbell, J. & Philpott, R., The Huxley Viking Hoard - Scandinavian Settlement in the North West, Liverpool, 2009, for discussion.
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See Graham-Campbell, J. & Philpott, R., The Huxley Viking Hoard - Scandinavian Settlement in the North West, Liverpool, 2009, for discussion.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
Comprising: articulated arms for a scale balance with spike gnomon; two hemispherical bowls each with suspension holes at the rim; three trade weights each with a struck motif to one faces; group of complete and cut-half silver dirham coins; six cut fragments of silver ingot; small gold ingot fragment. 284 grams total, 1-20 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See Graham-Campbell, J & Philpott, R., The Huxley Viking Hoard - Scandinavian Settlement in the North West, Liverpool, 2009, for discussion of hoarding and silver production at this time.
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See Graham-Campbell, J & Philpott, R., The Huxley Viking Hoard - Scandinavian Settlement in the North West, Liverpool, 2009, for discussion of hoarding and silver production at this time.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
D-section ingot with one flattened end, punched rosettes and multiple test nicks. 117 grams, 12.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
Hollow-formed Y-shaped body with applied filigree and granulation forming three radiating beast-heads, central granule in beaded-wire collar; each end with two holes each with a beaded collar, to accept the strings; straps to the reverse with bow, with beaded-wire links, and central dished circle. 21.85 grams, 57 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12734-235601.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. The British Museum, museum number 1810,1110.3, for a broadly similar example; Beck, H. et al., Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, p.194-5, for discussion of the type; Ewing, T., Viking Clothing, Stroud, 2007, plate 38; Wilson, D.M. and Klindt-Jensen, O., Viking Art, London, 1968, pl.XXXII; Smith, R.A. British Museum Guide to Anglo-Saxon Antiquities, reprinted Ipswich, 1993, p.160.
The trefoil type is based on a three-armed strap distributor for a sword-belt used by the Carolingian Franks, copied and re-modelled to Scandinavian taste and finally re-purposed as a female dress-ornament or brooch.
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12734-235601.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. The British Museum, museum number 1810,1110.3, for a broadly similar example; Beck, H. et al., Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, p.194-5, for discussion of the type; Ewing, T., Viking Clothing, Stroud, 2007, plate 38; Wilson, D.M. and Klindt-Jensen, O., Viking Art, London, 1968, pl.XXXII; Smith, R.A. British Museum Guide to Anglo-Saxon Antiquities, reprinted Ipswich, 1993, p.160.
The trefoil type is based on a three-armed strap distributor for a sword-belt used by the Carolingian Franks, copied and re-modelled to Scandinavian taste and finally re-purposed as a female dress-ornament or brooch.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £19,500
Hollow-formed and flat-section with applied facial detailing to the suspension lobe, filigree and granule detailing. 12.5 grams, 47 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12735-235602.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See similar examples with applied decoration found in Sweden (Kabbara, Bredsatra, Odeshok); and Hilderbrand, H., The Industrial Arts of Scandinavia in the Pagan Time, London, 1883, p.113, fig.99 and Arbman, H., Birka, Taf. 83, item 1a; for a discussion on Thor pendanrs and further examples, cf. Exhibition Catalogue, Les Vikings, Les Scandinaves et L'Europe 800-1200, Paris, 1992, p.190 & 276.
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12735-235602.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See similar examples with applied decoration found in Sweden (Kabbara, Bredsatra, Odeshok); and Hilderbrand, H., The Industrial Arts of Scandinavia in the Pagan Time, London, 1883, p.113, fig.99 and Arbman, H., Birka, Taf. 83, item 1a; for a discussion on Thor pendanrs and further examples, cf. Exhibition Catalogue, Les Vikings, Les Scandinaves et L'Europe 800-1200, Paris, 1992, p.190 & 276.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,560
Borre-style beast and integral suspension loop with linear detailing; the openwork plaque with pelletted border and scrolled florid niello-filled panels, beast with pelletted band to the body and gripping hands on the border, facing mask below the loop. 21.1 grams, 40 mm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Korshyn, V.E., Yazicheskiye Priveski Drevniye Rusi X-XIV Vekov, Moscow, 2013, items K.2.01-03
There is a class of discoid pendants with banded borders and contorted figures found in the hinterland of the Baltic region, associated with the influence of Scandinavian settlers. The design of these items recalls specific elements of Scandinavian art - for example, the 'gripping hands' motif is a feature of the Oseberg Style named after the famous Norwegian ship-burial. Oseberg Style is associated with the beginnings of the Viking age, and was current in the 9th century when Scandinavian settlers began to establish centres of trade and political control in the area of the rivers Dnieper and Volga. The motif has been interpreted as a horse and linked with various legends and mythic figures.
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Korshyn, V.E., Yazicheskiye Priveski Drevniye Rusi X-XIV Vekov, Moscow, 2013, items K.2.01-03
There is a class of discoid pendants with banded borders and contorted figures found in the hinterland of the Baltic region, associated with the influence of Scandinavian settlers. The design of these items recalls specific elements of Scandinavian art - for example, the 'gripping hands' motif is a feature of the Oseberg Style named after the famous Norwegian ship-burial. Oseberg Style is associated with the beginnings of the Viking age, and was current in the 9th century when Scandinavian settlers began to establish centres of trade and political control in the area of the rivers Dnieper and Volga. The motif has been interpreted as a horse and linked with various legends and mythic figures.
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