Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Circular disc with a central cross motif surrounded by a wreath. 10 grams, 33.7 mm



From the late collection of a Cornish couple, formed from the early 1990s.

Obverse with low-relief bust wearing conical headgear, with trefoil sceptre and hatched robe; reverse with legend 'ΚΕΒΟΗΙΤΟ' ('T' inverted). 3.12 grams, 38 mm



Ex Essex gentleman's collection, 2000s.

bulbous in profile with domed filler hole, linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 338 grams, 10 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'.

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.

Showing a bust of a man dressed in a cloak and with his head turned to look over his right shoulder, possibly depicting St John; rectangular in plan with rounded corners. 2.52 grams, 19 mm



Acquired from Artemis Gallery, 2003. Private collection, Europe.

With a raised nimbate figure in orans pose on the obverse, integral suspension loop. 3.56 grams, 34 mm



Acquired on the UK art market from the 1990s. From the private collection of a Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

Keeled body with wide nozzle and stub handle at the rear, the body and discus with dense, low-relief decoration of wavy line with berries and foliage, the base with a spoked wheel. 75.5 grams, 89 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Composed of mixed beads, including some reused bangle fragments, restrung. 18.7 grams, 35.5 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

With segmented body, incuse quadruped to underside. 13.80 grams, 27.01 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Bulbous body with slightly flattened base and a trumpet-shaped neck. 360 grams, 12.4 cm



From a pre 1988 collection, thence by descent.

Modelled in the round with two adjacent discs on a stem, ring-and-dot eye detailing. 2.28 grams, 15.85 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Circular stamp seal with segmented face; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Silver 45 x 45 x 19 mm. This is round with notched outer edge, flat face and flat back on which is mounted a handle of inverted U-shape. The design is compartmented and consists of kind of four-armed cross with four small circles at its centre and more (drilled) circles along the arms, which diminish in width toward the edges. This comes from West Central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is heavy and generally in good condition. The incrustation on the surface could be removed.' 67.1 grams, 45.5 mm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. Accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor W.G. Lambert with reference no.W.861.

Discoid in plan with concentric rings and knop handle to reverse; incuse image of two figures embracing, objects in the field; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 14.22 grams, 31.83 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.