Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Keeled hoop with expanding angular shoulders, set with a red carnelian intaglio bearing the inscription 'KAPTE / PIOV'; possibly a marriage. 9.99 grams, 30.43 mm overall, 17.55 x 12.88 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G 1/2, USA 3 1/2, Europe 5.55, Japan 5)



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

Comprising a squat conical body with a dimple at the base, long tubular neck with everted rolled rim. 29.3 grams, 12.8 cm



From a London, UK, collection of glass, 1970-2000s.

Formed in iridescent aqua glass with pinched head and tail. 1.25 grams, 19 mm



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

With intaglio standing figure of Mercury with caduceus; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.57 grams, 12.85 mm



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

Mixed group of roughly cuboid tesserae and variously shaped tile fragments. 1 kg total including boxes, 15-90 mm



From the collection of a Dorset, UK, gentleman. Ex West London, UK, gentleman.

An amber-coloured discoid pendant with an impressed image of an advancing lion facing left. 2.27 grams, 24.44 mm



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

Formed as a pair of conjoined tubes with slightly flared tops and thickened rims; applied handles at the shoulders joined to the rim; glass with areas of iridescence; mounted on a custom-made stand. 85 grams, 10.9 cm



From a London, UK, collection of glass, 1970-2000s.

With intaglio bearded facing mask forming the body of an insect; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.36 grams, 13.48 mm



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

With intaglio scene of a lion attacking a bull; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.06 grams, 15.51 mm



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

With intaglio Minerva holding spear and shield; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.56 grams, 14.75 mm



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

With intaglio standing figure of Mercury wearing a petasos, holding a flower; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.41 grams, 13.23 mm



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. 37 grams total, 15-22 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.