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

Depicting Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostomus, all nimbate and holding their holy writings, under the vision of the Holy Mandylion; Saint Basil wearing a bishop's sakkos, the other two wearing the usual orthodox priest's garb, phelonia; all three wearing a brocade band, omophorion, with four crosses; inscriptions in Old Slavonic with the names of the Saints, on the Nimbus of Jesus, the letters 'O Ѡ N' (‘I AM’); names of the Saints in the background in Old Slavonic; framed by double moulding, the first decorated with crenellated elements, the second with arabesques. 270 grams, 11.5 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.

The icon is the so-called icon of the three hierarchs, Saint Gregory the Theologian (Gregory of Nazianzus), Saint Basil the Great (Basil of Caesarea) and Saint John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople. All three were important fathers of the church who strove to clarify and crystallise Dogma, for the unity of the faith, of the Liturgy and the needs of philosophy and letters.

Of academic interest, copper coated lead seal impressions taken from cylinder seals, containing various different motifs. 231 grams total, 27-47 mm



Possibly made by the British Museum. From a West Country, UK, private collection.

Quatrefoil in plan with interstitial tags, central pelleted collar and dome; incised hatched rosette to each petal; copperplate monogram to reverse with 'FG'; with late 20th-century chain. 26 grams, 56.8 cm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Showing a royal figure on the left, holding the reins of his caparisoned horse, at the centre a yogi beneath an arch with a tree behind and two bovines gazing at him, tufts of long grass in the foreground with multiple faces emerging between the blades; set on a display stand. 258 grams total, 15.1 cm wide 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 the 1960s onwards, using many reputable dealers across the United Kingdom, including the well-regarded Coincraft and The Parthenon Gallery.

Large oval cameo with profile bust of the Greek hero Ajax, shown bearded and with his helmet pushed up exposing his face. 27.3 grams, 48 mm



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

Ajax is recorded in The Iliad as ‘the best man among the Thracians, being both brave and of great stature’. He was one of the strongest warriors for the Achaeans, second only to his cousin Achilles. His epic duel with Hector is detailed in the seventh book of the famed poem by Homer.

Matched pair, each with a long spatulate tail, folded wings and hunched neck; ferrous remains at the attachment point. 108 grams total, 64 mm each



Found Cambridgeshire, UK.

Translucent purple-red carving of a six-petalled flower, slightly concave underside, pierced lug above. 4.43 grams, 29 mm



Acquired on the European art market.

Composed of tubular, oblate and biconical beads with a teardrop-shaped pendant, restrung. 9.28 grams, 34 cm



Acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s. Ex London, UK, collection.

Oval cameo with a profile bust of a mature warrior with a long beard, wearing a draped tunic and a helmet with a face mask. 2.4 grams, 24 mm



Acquired on the European art market.

Modelled in the round in delicately balanced pose resting on the hands; loincloth with waistband. 71.1 grams, 92 mm



Previously belonging to J Stewart, Mayfair, London, UK; acquired in the early 1980s. Property of a Middlesex gentleman.

Mixed group of keys with looped handles. 225 grams total, 6.5-12.9 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman.

The body decorated by annulets on the sides and top, the maker's initials 'MC' above an empty heart-shaped cartouche flanked by supporters in the form of birds regardant; on the interior immediately above the base, two very indistinct stamps, the lower one possibly a lion. 3.14 grams, 16 mm



Found in North Walsham, Norfolk, UK, on Saturday 13th August 2011, declared as Treasure under the Treasure Act with reference no.2011 T596, and disclaimed by the Crown and returned to the finder. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.NMS-190428. Accompanied by a copy of the Treasure Report for HM Coroner with reference no.2011 T596. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum explaining that the Crown's interest in the thimble has been disclaimed.