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

The coin of Constantine the Great (272-337 A.D.) mounted on 22 carat gold foil, framed with an art print signed by the artist David McAllister, depicting scenes of Roman military activity; limited edition number 167/1150. 1.26 kg, 49.5 x 37.5 cm



UK gallery, early 2000s. Accompanied by a previous numbered certificate of authenticity.

David McAllister's exciting design is a 'one of a kind' work that portrays the might and riches of the Roman civilisation. This limited edition print is a celebration of the award winning artist's lifetime dedication to historical paintings of the ancient world. To enhance appreciation of this rare and historic work, each individual print is signed and numbered by the artist.

Comprising: a stone arrowhead; a stone blade section; five glass beads with 'eye' motifs; a pendant formed as a spoked wheel; a bone cross mount; two cut halves of a fossil ammonite. 272 grams total, 1.1-11 cm



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

Travel icon with hinged doors, featuring Saint Nicholas with a book in his left hand and making the gesture of blessing with his right, dressed as a bishop with a sticharion, covered by an omophorion, and surmounted by an epitrachelion embroidered with crosses; the saint flanked by Jesus and Virgin Mary, Christ holding the gospel, Mary holding the bishop’s epitrachelion. 163 grams, 10.2 cm



Ex P. Chapman collection, 1980s-1990s.

With blue enamel and framed by a raised border; Saint Julitta and her son, Cyricus, Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John the Chrysostom standing beside them at the centre; three half-length figures above: St. Paraskeva (right), Eudokia, and Barbara (left); OCS inscriptions identifying the saints framing the scene; on the top a deesis, with Christ Pantokrator at the centre, flanked by Saint Mary and Saint John the Precursor; at the top left corner Archangel Michael, on the top right corner the Archangel Gabriel; beneath Saint Gabriel, in vertical order, Saint Paul, Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Nicholas of Myra, Saint Demetrios; beneath Saint Michael, in vertical order, Saint Peter, Saint Basil the Great, Saint John Chrysostomos and Saint George; in the last row, nearby Saint Andrew, at the centre, the Archangel Raphael, with sword and cross. 360 grams, 14 cm



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.

This icon was intended for private devotion, often carried by pilgrims and Orthodox believers for spiritual protection. St. Julyttas and her son Cyricus (Ки́рик и Иули́тта), among the most venerated figures in Russian tradition, are depicted in the centre, surrounded by other saints, a symbol of the communion of the righteous in front of the Divine Deesis.

Substantial ring with fluted shoulders, a rectangular bezel with a central cross flanked by letters D and E. 11.03 grams, 26.65 mm overall, 20.86 x 22.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W, USA 11, Europe 25, Japan 24)



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

Claddagh ring with D-section hoop and the bezel formed as a heart held by two hands, topped by a crown. 1.96 grams, 22.10 mm overall, 19.19 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

With disc bezel, high-relief hexafoil with pellet centre, beaded rim. 3.80 grams, 25.45 mm overall, 20.34 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)



Ex North London gentleman; formerly with Robin Symes Gallery, Mayfair, before 1999. Private collection, Suffolk, UK.

Flat-section hoop with raised bosses beneath the decorative panels on the shoulders, a rectangular bezel set with an agate gemstone with a scorpion motif. 8.43 grams, 29.22 mm overall, 18.94 x 19.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



London, UK, collection, 1980s-1990s.

Portrait of a young woman, her head turned slightly to the right, with an oval face, thin almond-shaped eyes, and a large mouth with full lips; her curly hair arranged above her forehead in a series of rich curls; her clothing consisting of a pink tunic visible at the neck and shoulders; encaustic on wood. 1.73 kg total, 47 x 33.8 cm including frame

Condition In good condition, the painted board has been mounted on to a piece of wood in recent history. The surface has a dirt overlay that is expected with age. Minor losses, affecting the top edge and and left proper edge. Minor losses throughout and one vertical crack runs the length of the wood grain.

Private collection of Dr Fred Olsen (1891-1986) and Mrs Florence Ellen Olsen (née Quittenton, d.1996), Guilford, Connecticut, by at least 1961. Exhibited at 'Coptic Art', The Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 5 December 1961-7 January 1962, no.L-380-2, loan number L61.711.

Fayum portraits, painted on wood or linen, applied to the mummies of the Graeco-Roman period, are one of the most wonderful legacies that the koiné of the Graeco-Roman world has left us. Due to the favourable climate enhancing the state of preservation, these encaustic paintings have left us an almost photographic testimony of the faces of the inhabitants of Roman Egypt.

Hollowed-out mammal bone, cut to form a U-shaped corer, inked collector's note 'Moore Lane', on the underside. 30.2 grams, 15.1 cm



From the private collection of Graham Slater (1927-2024), Cambridge, UK; formed 1980s-1990s.

Resin cast reproduction of the 'Gilgamesh tablet XI' with dense cuneiform text in two unequal columns on each broad face, separated by a vertical longitudinal gutter; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.01 kg total, 20.4 cm including stand



From the collection of David Donlan (1947-2025), a dedicated and lifelong collector with a passion for the ancient world and the natural sciences, forming his collection from 1960s onwards, using many reputable dealers across the United Kingdom, including the well-regarded Coincraft and The Parthenon Gallery.

Rectangular panel with a profile head of a female wearing a bag-wig and two collars around her neck. 1.04 kg, 18.2 cm



By repute ex Christie's, Ne York, 1996 and an old European collection. Private collection, London, UK.