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

The lock heater-shaped in section with a separate sliding mechanism, key with voided shank. 325 grams total, 4.9-10.6 cm



From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968. From the private collection of a Kent, UK, gentleman.

Thick transverse bar with a swivel mount with a large loop above, traces of inscription on the bar. 50.4 grams, 76 mm



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

Tapering spigot with a hole, handle formed as a cockerel in profile. 37.7 grams, 53 mm



Acquired early 2000s. Property of a Stowmarket, UK, gentleman. From the private collection of a Kent, UK, gentleman.

Central roundel with a hare riding a hound and blowing on a hunting horn; border with legend 'SOHOV ROABIN'; supplied with an impression. 10 grams, 25 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

This is an example of what is probably the most popular of all medieval seal matrix designs, the World Turned Upside Down image of the hare riding on the hound and blowing a hunting horn. The device is found in English illuminated manuscripts, stained glass, floor tiles, etc. The legend is composed of the medieval hunting-cry, Soho! and the name of the dog – most commonly, Robin – as here, though slightly garbled.

Modelled in round on a discoid platform, engraved mane, head and leg details. 47 grams, 39 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

Discoid with pierced tag, central image of Mary and infant Jesus, border with cross above the figures' heads, blundered legend or pseudo-script; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 3.89 grams, 23 mm



From an old English collection, Bournemouth, UK. Ex Parthenon Gallery, London, UK, 2001. Property of a North London, UK, private collector.

Comprising flat-section hoop with ribbed outer face and sun-shaped bezel holding an iridescent cabochon; flat-section hoop with ribbed outer face, applied pellets to each arm, circular bezel enclosing a red glass cabochon. 12.36 grams total, 25-26 mm



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

Circular seal matrix with an eight-pointed star or flower as the central device, surrounded by a retrograde legend reading '+S'WILL'I FIL' ANSELLI-' with the final symbol being a place filler, translating to 'seal of William son of Ansell', the reverse with an incomplete suspension lug and an inked collector's note; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 14.7 grams total, 28 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Brookland, Kent, UK. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.KENT-FAD34F.

Comprising a plain wire loop, soldered bezel with lap joint at either side; bezel filled with off-white paste (possibly the adhesive for a gemstone setting); some gilding close to the bezel. 1.12 grams, 24.17 mm overall, 19.40 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector on the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, UK, in 2013; handed in as Treasure under the Treasure Act with reference no.2013 T754, subsequently disclaimed and returned to the finder. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.IOW-0FB135.

Rectangular-section hoop with high borders flanking a slightly garbled inscription, possibly either in Anglo-French or Latin, reading '+BIVE IV DIVE+BIVE IV DIVE'. 2.12 grams, 21.70 mm overall, 19.24 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Mersham, Kent, UK. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.KENT-3F4BA2.

According to PAS, the 'IV' could be an uncommon medieval Anglo-French version of 'Je' or even 'en'; 'DIVE' could be 'diev', the French word for God. Thus, the second part of the repeating inscription could be 'in God'.

Pointed oval seal matrix with a central alpha(?) motif and a plain line border, surrounded by an inscription reading '+S'ROGAR FI IOHI' for 'seal of Roger son of John', the reverse with a raised rib terminating in a D-shaped lug, on either side of the rib an outward-facing crescent flanked by pellets; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 14.9 grams, 32 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Snargate, Kent, UK. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.KENT-FB7187.

With a central spread eagle motif and legend on the border '*EGLE IOHIS' for 'eagle of (St.) John'; supplied with an impression. 14.4 grams, 29.06 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.