Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Including scarab with figural scene and legend to underside, plano-convex type with wreath, perching bird and legend, and other types; after the antique. 78 grams total, 15-33 mm



From the late S M collection, London, UK, 1969-1999.

Flat-section hoop with inner sleeve; voided cross to each shoulder and incised blackletter script legend 'AD TE LEVAVI ANIMAM MEAM' ('To You Lord I Lift Up My Soul'); discoid bezel with beaded rim, high-relief triskele of bent legs with mask to the centre. 12.5 grams, 29.44 mm overall, 21.23 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X, USA 11 1/2, Europe 26.29, Japan 25)



Ex Arundel, East Sussex, UK, private collection, 1970s-2000.

The text is the intro from the first Sunday of Advent. The triskele with central gorgoneion is the heraldic badge of the island of Sicily.

Including a carved bone bearded mask with diadem; terracotta figurine head mounted on a stand, sardonyx gaming piece with incuse hand to the underside, and other items. 94 grams total, 14-87 mm



Acquired on the UK art market.

Comprising a rectangular-section hoop with the shoulders formed as opposing bird-heads, the edge of the bezel decorated with similar motifs and set with a blue cabochon, likely sodalite. 8.44 grams, 29.83 mm overall, 19.82 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Prior English collection of Mr A.H.D. Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an Ancient Art certificate of authenticity.

Her body depicted in a contrapposto pose with the weight on her right leg, resting her right hand on large plant leaves that surround her; a sheer garment wrapped around her body and plaited over her right shoulder; holding a dove against her chest with her left hand. 51.5 kg, 80 cm high



Private collection, London.

Designer necklace composed of cornerless cube beads interspersed with barley twist beads; restrung. 50 grams, 53 cm



Ex London, UK, art market 1990s.

Depicting the Deesis divided in three panels, with Jesus Christ at the centre, Saint Mary on the left panel and Saint John the Baptist on the right; God holding the Gospel in his left hand and raising his right hand in blessing; Mary with veiled head and mantle, wearing a maphorion mantle over an embroidered robe and holding a scroll; Saint John, portrayed as an elderly man, wearing a camel-skin robe, winged and holding a bowl containing an infant with flexed legs and raised right hand, the saint’s right hand pointing toward the infant Jesus, his left hand holding a scroll with the prophecy of Isaiah, while the right hand is raised in blessing gesture; Old Slavic inscription around the figures: 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); 'ΜΡ ϴΥ'(Mother of God), ‘Saint John the Precursor’ (Иоа́нн Предте́ча); the images framed by a pseudo-vegetal and abstract decorations; the instruments of the Passion and the city of Jerusalem on the cover. 553 grams, 10 cm



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The Deisis or Deesis (Деисус, Gk. for “supplication”) was the depiction of the Virgin, John the Baptist and possibly many more saints interceding with Christ on behalf of mankind.

Triangular-section single-edged blade with scooped forward edge, short baluster, trapezoidal grip with low-relief foliage design; the final formed as a musician playing a wind instrument, with both hands on the chanter with fingers spread and blowpipe in the mouth. 56.3 grams, 21 mm



From an old English collection formed since 1960.

Domed body carved from transparent quartz, underside engraved with a standing lion holding a curved sword in its raised paw with a rising sun behind and an inscription below. 32.15 grams, 31 mm



Private collection, UK.

Bifacial low-relief design; obverse: Corpus Christi amid scrolls on foliate cross; reverse: nimbate bishop in three-quarter view with crozier, legend to the circular band. 6 grams, 33 mm



From a retired Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman's collection, a long time member of the Pewter Society.

Modelled in the round wearing a long tunic and a palla draped over his left shoulder, leather sandals with straps on his exposed feet. 87 kg, 100 cm



Private collection, France. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13083-246798.

The statue, certainly intended for ecclesiastical decoration, most likely represents one of the apostles or prophets, or an Evangelist. These are Mannerist statues, executed with great sculptural skill, intended to adorn the large tomb complexes of wealthy families housed in the Catholic cathedrals of Renaissance Europe.

On a wooden board with elaborate riza, nimbate Christ shown facing and holding an open book on his lap, the right hand raised and making the sign of blessing; by Jacob & Co in Moscow; printing to the lower edge of the brass panel states "PRINTING IS APPROVED BY THE MOSCOW RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE DECEMBER 6 DAY 1896 YEAR. CENSOR ARCHPRIEST ALEXANDER SMIRNOV. A JACOB&C MOSCOW." 436 grams, 26.3 x 22 cm



Acquired from Derby Antiques Fair, 2004. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.