Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Comprising nine rings with bezels, one possibly representing a coiled snake. 25.58 grams total, 16-27 mm



Bonhams, Knightsbridge, London, Antiquities Sale, Thursday 22nd April 1999, no.143 (part). Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of the Bonhams invoice.

Comprising a central disc with concentric enamelled rings and central hole to accept a stud (absent), flanked above and below by an addorsed pair of crescent cells supporting a disc; pin-lugs, pin and catch to reverse; the enamel restored. 19.8 grams, 58 mm



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

Comprising three keys with looped terminals, one for a barrel lock. 67.66 grams total, 42-62 mm



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

With intaglio imperial eagle perching between two vexilla (military standards), with a wreath in its beak; chipped; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.53 grams, 13.31 mm



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

Comprising a bulbous body with a convex base and ribbed body, a long tubular neck with an everted rim. 42.2 grams, 88 mm



From the collection of a Yorkshire, UK gentleman, items collected in the Holy Land in the 1960s.

With a narrow basal ring and a curved sidewall, a rolled rim. 118 grams, 16 cm wide



From a specialist collection of glass, acquired from dealerships during the 1990s.

With intaglio bust of Minerva wearing a crested helmet; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.64 grams, 12.97 mm



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

With intaglio insect; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.90 grams, 13.22 mm



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

Tinned plaque fragment with attachment points in the corners; roundel with male bust in three-quarter view with pointillé hairstyle, similar below with hatched hair; scrolls and tendril forming a frame. 7.52 grams, 62.30 mm



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

Piriform fluted body with narrow neck and everted rim, flared base. 19.7 grams, 60 mm



Private collection, Oxfordshire, UK, by direct descent from the collection of Judge George Cyril Griffith-Williams (1893-1983), Supreme Court Judge of the Colony of Cyprus; items having been collected in the 1930s and 1940s in Cyprus during his tenure there.

Piriform body with cylindrical neck, everted folded rim and a broad base; some iridescence remaining. 33 grams, 14 cm



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.A80.

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 35 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.