Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Squat in profile with stepped and carinated foot, deep shoulder to the bowl; engraved to the outer face in batada script between double horizontal rulings the legend 'Luxuriosa res vinum et tumultuosa ebrietas', a quotation from the biblical book of Proverbs, 20:1, translating to 'Wine is [a] luxurious [thing], and drunkenness is riotous'. 575 grams, 11.2 cm wide



Acquired in Paris, France, circa 2000. Personal collection of a Suffolk lady, UK.

The biblical sentence was retaken by Saint Paul, who, wanting to warn the believers against the power of wine, similarly instructed by saying: ‘Beware of drunken wine, where there is luxury’. This kind of gluttony was considered by the Fathers of the Church dangerous, in that, after it has deprived the drinker of all rational sense, it opens and reveals and releases from his chest every secret, every hidden thing: it was considered a prodigal throwaway of its own goods and those of others, deaf to rebukes, and a destroyer of every praiseworthy custom.

Modelled in a half-seated pose, gazing upwards with compact body, broad forequarters, the mane rendered in long, parallel strands; the tail emerging from underneath the body and resting diagonally on top of the neck. 855 grams, 96 mm



Acquired on the European art market.

The treatment reflects the continuation of late Gothic conventions within German workshops, while also aligning with the more classicising tendencies found in North Italian bronze production of the period. The anatomical structure is simplified yet purposeful, characteristic of functional or cabinet bronzes produced across central Europe in the sixteenth century. Its scale and form correspond to small bronzes intended for Kunstkammer settings or as elements within larger composite objects such as inkstands or caskets, where the lion served as an emblem of vigilance, authority, and learned taste.

Lid set with a large rock crystal cabochon; gilded interior; sides engraved with a continual Renaissance interlace and similar to the base; small French duty mark to the front of the base of the box and to the rim of the lid. 65 grams, 59 mm



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

Decorated with a repeating motif of acanthus leaves and facing masks of Bacchus; lid of set with an agate intaglio of Saint Jerome kneeling before a crucifix within a rope-twist and dog's tooth border, surrounded by leafy swags on a pounced field; old collector's label 'Walecki Collection 207006' to inner lid. 52.7 grams, 53 mm



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

Comprising a segmented hoop with scroll-shaped shoulders, a hinged oval bezel with a secret compartment, and a bezel decorated with twelve cut diamonds around a central green stone intaglio of a winged Amor standing on a prora playing a diaulos 5.82 grams, 23.60 mm overall, 16.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

Modelled in the round, Saint Anthony standing on a square base and holding the infant Jesus, who is holding a lily in his left hand; the saint dressed in long robes tied at the waist with a rope, loop at the rear and a separately made base. 64 grams, 58 mm



Acquired on the European art market.

The mariner modelled in a lively stance, holding a coiled rope in both hands, which falls in a naturalistic spiral at his feet, wearing a brimmed and gilt-edged cap, a red enamelled doublet with chased detail, and voluminous green enamelled trunk-hose, his boots and gloves parcel-gilt. 31.62 grams, 54 mm



Acquired on the European art market.

Eros shown standing amid the vegetation, his wings and arms spread and holding two short staffs in his hands, clouds and the sun above; set in a gold frame with a conical pendant drop below; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 13.53 grams, 75 mm



Acquired on the European art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13341-257981.

The cameo shows a Cupid in the same style as the one in the British Museum Sloane collection. Cupid was a very popular motif in 17th-century Italian artistic production. The presence of Cupid on the cameo implies amorous attachment, or sometimes, amorous conflict. The cameo shows a sophisticated atmosphere, relayed in the brown and grey colours.

In low-relief, facing bust with braided band to his brow and bunch of grapes to each temple. 11.5 grams, 44 mm



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

Gold cell with suspension loop, inset banded agate panel with reserved female profile bust with hair in a chignon. 7.8 grams, 38 mm



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

Carved in low-relief, a female profile bust wearing a straw hat and mantle. 6.40 grams, 36 mm



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

Translucent banded agate intaglio featuring a dynamic mythological scene of Perseus rescuing Princess Andromeda; Perseus depicted nude and wearing a crested helmet, holding a round shield with a Medusa mask in his hand and a spear in the other, Andromeda standing behind him and dressed in long flowing robes; set in an elaborate late 18th-century English gold frame; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 13.64 grams, 61 mm



Acquired on the European art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13343-257990.

Andromeda was the daughter of the Aethiopian king Cepheus and Cassiopeia. According to the legend, Cassiopeia angered Neptune by claiming that her daughter was more beautiful than the nereids, and Neptune, in revenge, sent a monster to ravage the coast. Told that the only way to save their country is to sacrifice their daughter to the creature, Andromeda’s parents chained her to a rock by the sea. The demigod Perseus, son of Jupiter, killed the sea monster by petrifying it with the head of Medusa and rescued Andromeda.