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

Plano-convex in section with reserved impression of a vertical pillar, ladder to one side, mother and infant to the other, crescent, star and other objects in the field. 15 grams, 33 mm



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

Tongue-shaped plate with a slender animal facing back, possibly depicting a ferret, pellets on the background. 7.6 grams, 41 mm



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

Stub handle to the rear, the body decorated with pellets and diagonal strokes, an expanding cross on the nozzle, flanked by two rosettes. 73 grams, 85 mm



Ex Ancient Art Shop, Windsor, UK, 1990s. Ex private West County, UK, collection.

Enkolpion cross pommée hinged at the base and closure with facetted suspension loop above; obverse with silver-inlaid cross and (abraded) monogram to each roundel; reverse with abraded Corpus Christi. 38.3 grams, 82 mm



From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s.

Transverse ribs in the shoulder and a large triskele on the nozzle, with a low basal ring. 70 grams, 81 mm



Ex Ancient Art Shop, Windsor, UK, 1990s. Ex private West County, UK, collection.

Comprising a slender large hoop and a discoid bezel with a stylised standing bird. 2.34 grams, 23.12 mm overall, 18.28 x 20.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



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

Enkolpion with hinged loop, nimbate figure in orans pose to obverse, Corpus Christi with a small cross above the head to reverse. 22.2 grams, 57 mm



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

Wide hoop with a raised boss at the base, an oval bezel with a facing bust of a nimbate saint flanked by two crosses. 5.73 grams, 23.63 mm overall, 19.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



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

Hook earring with wire and glass bead dangles, disc spangles. 1.56 grams, 65 mm



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(s) with reference no.A71.

Bow brooch formed as a standing horse with one foreleg raised, the hind legs forming the pin-lug and the groundline between the forelegs forming the catch, punched ring-and-dot decoration on the body. 14.08 grams, 38 mm



From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s.

Bulbous body with pointed base and domed filler-hole, a circumferential band above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 276 grams, 87 mm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια, where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

An enkolpion plate with hinge-loops, nimbate robed figure at the centre in orans pose. 16.5 grams, 68 mm



From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s.