Standing with head lowered and facing slightly right. 297 grams, 13 cm long



From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.

Representing the Mother of God of Kazan with the Divine Child; the head covering of Mary marked with a six-point star, infant Jesus extending his right hand in blessing; Greek inscriptions 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' (Mother of God) and 'O Ѡ N' (‘I am’); knop at the top for suspension. 53 grams, 63 mm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The original prototype of these small icons, also known as the Theotokos of Kazan, is thought to have originated in Constantinople in the 13th century before it was taken to Russia. When the Turks took over Kazan in 1438, the icon was most probably hidden to keep it safe. Ivan the Terrible liberated Kazan in 1552, and the town was destroyed by fire in 1579, after which the icon was found and brought to the Church of Saint Nicholas. It was subsequently stolen in 1904 and never found again, though there are many copies in existence.

Each with a hooked mounting spike, broad curved blade sharpened on the inner edge. 260 grams total, 17-22 cm



From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

Bifacial pendant cross with applied silver panels; obverse with central crucifixion scene surrounded by winged angels with spears and nimbate bust on the bale; reverse with central combat scene surrounded by saints; stamped '925' on reverse of bale. 13.72 grams, 45 mm



From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

Hollow-formed with openwork eyes and nasal cavity, hinge beneath the lower jaw which opens to reveal six compartments with internal 'lid' engraved with the names of six fragrances: 'Rosen, Citron, Schlag, Rosmarin, Negeln, and Canel', the other side to contain a sponge soaked in the perfumed oils and spices, a short length of chain suspended from the top of the skull. 25.4 grams, 38 mm



Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13004-246014.

Originally a talisman to ward off sickness and noxious odours, this item of jewellery could be worn around the neck or suspended from a belt. The Pomander scent carrier, with chambers for the herbs and spices, was popular in England and on the continent during the 16th and 17th centuries. Intended to protect the wearer from sickness, it was designed to be worn around the neck or waist on a rope by wealthy aristocrats.

Comprising a bulbous body and slender neck with strap handle, high-relief floral ornament. 149 grams, 79 mm



with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.

Discoid in plan with chamfered rim, tondo with profile horse-head; two studs to reverse. 52 grams, 53 mm



Ex DRG Coins and Antiquities, Bishops Stortford, Essex, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

With roundels to the shoulders, broad plaque with 'MH' monogram in a ring of billets; inner face with heater shield bearing a lion rampant over '1565' and 'HENRI DARNLEY' legend. 5.48 grams, 21.20 mm overall, 17.66 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman.

The tale of Mary Queen of Scots is a fascinating story of the Queen of Scotland which began when Mary was born on the 8th of December 1542. The only legitimate surviving child of King James V of Scotland, Mary ascended to the throne when she was only six days old upon her father’s death. Most of Mary’s childhood was spent in France, whilst Scotland was ruled by regents, due to an agreement proposed by King Henry II of France that Mary would eventually marry his son, Dauphin Francis. On 4 April 1558, Mary signed a secret agreement bequeathing Scotland and her claim to England to the French crown if she died, and twenty days later, she married the Dauphin at Notre Dame de Paris. When Henry II died in 1559, fifteen-year-old Francis and sixteen-year-old Mary became King and Queen of France. Upon her husband’s death in 1560 and now a widow, Mary returned to Scotland the following year. As a devout Catholic, she was regarded with suspicion by many of her subjects, as well as by her cousin Elizabeth I, the Queen of England. Mary then turned her attention to finding a new husband and in 1565, she married her half cousin, Henry Stewart, known as Lord Darnley, and they went on to have a son, James VI and I. In 1567, an explosion occurred at Darnley’s residence and he was found murdered, thought to have been smothered, in the garden. Lord Bothwell was believed to have orchestrated his murder; however was later acquitted and after abducting her, married Mary a month later. Following an uprising against the couple, Mary was forced to abdicate the throne in favour of her son and fled to England to seek protection from the Queen. This began the journey of Mary’s well known imprisonment and eventual execution by her cousin, Queen Elizabeth at Fotheringhay Castle. In 1820, a gold ring was found within the ruins of Fotheringhay Castle and was said to be the wedding ring of Mary, Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley. The bezel engraved with initials ‘M’ and ‘H’ and a true lover’s knot. The reverse engraved with the Royal Arms of Scotland, the lion rampant beneath a crown and the inscription ‘Henry. L’ Darnley’.

Each a nude female with headdress. 214 grams total, 9-13 cm

Fine condition.

Ex property of a London gentleman; acquired before 2000. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.

Comprising: large ceramic shabti with agricultural tools in the crossed hands, some pigment to wig; mould-formed shabti with hieroglyphs to lower body; shabti in conical cap with hieroglyphs in column to lower body, chipped to reveal inner core; photograph of four travellers in Thebes with handwritten legend (two different hands) to reverse 'David Boyd, Bill Nichols, Bert Lethbridge + eric Lowe at the Colossi of Memmon at Thebes on Christmas Day 1939'; in old card collector's tray with padded liner. 884 grams total, 15.4-21.7 cm



Property of a Norwich, Norfolk, UK, gentleman.

Including 'Butlins Reunion' badges for 1946-8, and two pairs of cufflinks. 24 grams total, 18-25 mm



From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.

Restrung group of small biconvex beads. 16.7 grams, 46 cm



London, UK, collection, 2000s.