Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Composed of mixed beads, including 'eye' beads, glass beads with drawn decorations, pendant beads, and others, restrung. 64 grams, 64 cm



From an English private collection, 1980s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.

Modelled in the round with open jaws and lolling tongue, furrowed eyebrows and large lentoid eyes, mane detailing framing the face. 59.4 grams, 45.3 mm



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

Comprising a deep body with shallow foot, flared rim with a U-shaped spout. 34.5 grams, 74.4 mm



From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. Accompanied by the original collector's data sheet with reference no.A92.

Featuring a D-section hoop with wide, angled shoulders, a round bezel with a quiver(?) and an arrow. 6.34 grams, 27.81 mm overall, 14.31x18.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)



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

Circular frame with low-relief pellet and linear decoration, two small loops flanking the stem. 21.14 grams, 61 mm



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

Depicted nude in a contrapposto stance with the weight on his left leg, holding a club in the crook of his left hand with a lion-skin draped over the arm, and a cup in his right hand. 115 grams, 86 mm



Acquired in the 1980s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12615-234681.

This well-proportioned bronze statuette, perhaps of Gallo-Roman origin, was likely made for a private lararium, the domestic shrine found in many Roman homes. Although provincial in style, it is carefully modelled and has a strong presence. Unlike many similar figures, Hercules is shown here without a beard, and the upper part of the head was probably once covered by a laurel crown. Known to the Greeks as Herakles, Hercules was one of the most admired heroic figures in the Roman world, celebrated for his strength, endurance, and ability to overcome immense challenges. His famous Twelve Labours made him a lasting symbol of perseverance and triumph, and small bronze figures such as this would have brought not only mythological meaning into the home, but also a sense of protection, resilience, and personal devotion.

An interphalangeal ring with a slender hoop and an oval bezel with a stylised bird. 1.69 grams, 17.62 mm overall, 13.08 x 15.34 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F 1/2, USA 3, Europe 4.30, Japan 4)



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

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 34 grams total, 13-19 mm



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

The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four-sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term token is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.

D-section hoop expanding towards the shoulders, oval bezel with a standing ibex amongst vegetation. 6.81 grams, 22.64 mm overall, 14.48 x 18.62 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)



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

With intaglio walking rooster; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.11 grams, 6.08 mm



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

With onion-knop finials, gusset to the bow, chamfered sections to the foot, hinged pin to the reverse. 47.5 grams, 78 mm



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

Hollow-formed figure of a servant with grotesque facial features, pointed cap and a short tunic, carrying a pouch in the right hand and shoulders an overflowing fruit basket on the left; a large recess between his legs may be for the insertion of an oversized model phallus; pierced lug to rear of neck for suspension. 286 grams, 17.5 cm



Acquired from Galerie Puhze, Freiburg, between 2002 and 2010. From the collection of R. L., Lower Saxony. Ex Gorny & Mosch, auction 300, Munich, no.75. Accompanied by a certificate from Galerie Günter Puhze and a German export licence.

Grotesque and exaggerated figurines were produced in late Hellenistic times, especially in Alexandria. The artisans, fascinated with realism, started to reproduce scenes and figures from daily life, and seemed to have a preference for emphasis on ill and deformed persons. The characters with caricature features are usually referred to as grotesques.