Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Each a cuboid with ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. 4.57 grams total, 10-11 mm



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

With intaglio bird perching on a branch; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.56 grams, 12.46 mm.



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

Each cuboid with ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. 5.12 grams total, 11 mm each



Ex Essex gentleman's collection, 2000s.

With intaglio Minerva standing with spear and shield; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.58 grams, 12.86 mm



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

A thick rim fragment with a high-relief lion face with an open mouth. 61 grams, 79.4 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.A48.

Disc with impressed portrait bust of an emperor wearing a laurel wreath; impression of cloth to reverse. 4.14 grams, 24 mm



UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK.

Composed of oblate and other beads, restrung to a Y-shape. 4.32 grams, 39.5 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Comprising a slender loop with an oval cell set with a garnet cabochon, two drops below, one with a glass bead. 1.28 grams, 29.9 mm



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

Two domed gaming pieces, one sky blue and the other brown. 1.85 grams total, 11-12 mm



Acquired from Ancient Art Shop, Berkshire, UK. From the collection of a Nottingham, UK, collector, established from the early 2000s. Accompanied by the original Ancient Art Shop certificate of authenticity.

Discoid in plan, obverse with concentric rings. scrolls and pellets; reverse with a central rosette. 35 grams, 60.8 mm



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

A rectangular tile with an engraved circle divided into eight segments, with a semicircle at the end of each arm. 250 grams, 95 mm



Acquired from Ancient Art, London, UK. From the collection of a Nottingham, UK, collector, established from the early 2000s.

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 31 grams total, 14-20 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.