Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Lozenge-shaped with an integral suspension loop, featuring a central cross on a linear background with a wide border surrounding. 2.75 grams, 29 mm



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

Hinged loop to one end, the hook with a long shank and stylised beast-head below the shoulder. 4.23 grams, 58 mm



Private collection, Switzerland, 1992; thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s.

Comprising: a nimbate figure of Mary, dressed in voluminous robes, arms crossed at the chest and pierced through the edges; a nimble figure of John wearing voluminous robes, gazing down with a solemn expression on his face, hands clasped at the waist, pierced through the edges. 57.2 grams total, 61 mm each



Private collection, UK.

Rectangular openwork plaque showing the Archangel Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary within an architectural arch. 44.2 grams, 11.7 cm



Acquired on the European art market.

Off-white ground with dark blue masthead 'Meldoy Maker / World's Largest Net Sale ' red blocked text and dark blue footer 'Every Friday - 6d'; footnote 'Printed and issued by Odhams Press, Long Acre, London WC2'. 22 grams, 76.2 x 50.6 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Harwich, UK, collector.

'Melody Maker' was an important music-industry weekly magazine which was founded in 1926 by the publisher Lawrence Wright, aimed at dance band musicians under the title 'The Melody Maker and British Metronome'. The footnote reference is to the Odhams publishing venture which folded in 1968.

Depicting a bust of a bearded mature man, probably a saint, wearing a yellow cloak and a lighter undergarment, looking to the side with a pensive expression, with a small tuft of grey hair on top of his head; oil on copper panel and set in a moulded frame, an old label on the reverse 'Italian School: 'Study of a Man with a Grey Beard' oil on copper, 7 x 5ins.' 1.26 kg total, 32 x 27.5 cm



Private collection, London, UK.

Hammered Crusader coin set in a later bar brooch with bulbous finials and a hinged pin. 6.83 grams, 61 mm



Acquired on the European art market.

Translucent intaglio showing a bust facing right with a corner of a round shield covering the shoulder, wearing a crested helmet with a snake-head finial. 1.04 grams, 19 mm



UK private collection, acquired on the English art market in the 2000s.

Comprising a rectangular-section hoop and the bezel formed as clasped hands with ribbed cuffs. 3.37 grams, 22.97 mm overall, 18.85 x 19.07 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



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

Comprising a large quantity of drilled coral branch beads and a spatulate green nephrite jade pendant. 66 grams total, 5-60 mm



Acquired on the European art market.

Carved in the round in advancing pose with head turned. 800 grams, 12 cm



Abelita collection, 1980-2015. Private collection, London, UK.

Presenting an architectural setting with figures in two chambers framed with cornices, columns and furnitures; the upper chamber showing Saint Anna in birthing bed with two attendants; the lower room with two attendants bathing an infant; on the right Saint Joachim seated upon a cathedra; Old Slavonic inscription reciting ‘The birth of the most holy mother of God’. 230 grams, 98 mm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

According to the Protoevangelium of James, Mary's parents were called Anna and Joachim and conceived Mary at a late age.