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

Hollow-formed two-part casting; base cup-shaped with basal ring and six radiating flanges with nimbate figures between, three rings to the rim; cover of similar shape with rings and flanges, openwork interstitial panels each with a tall standing figure beside a shorter one with vegetation, at the apex a slotted tube and knop finial. 686 grams total, 15.3 cm high



Collection of Melissa Minervino Gabardi (1943-2021), Milan. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13510-262838.

Since early Christian times, the burning of incense during church services has symbolised prayers rising to heaven, which was particularly visible in the Eastern Liturgy. The censer's architectural form is enriched by the animal and human figures that adorn its surface.

Turned wooden vessel with tiered foot, twisted fluting to the stem, globular body with scrolled ledge handle, slightly tapering neck and everted rim to the mouth; with old collector's note in German dated 1914. 440 grams, 20 cm high



Pfyffer von Altishofen (1914), a well known family in central Switzerland. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13539-262846.

This small wooden cup from Germany, dating to around 1500 AD, represents the fascinating transitional period from the late Gothic to the early Renaissance. During this era, the function of such small cups shifted from that of purely portable, sturdy travel containers to that of prestigious art objects intended for the more settled burgher and noble classes.

Discoid in plan with applied decorative plates to the sidewall; cuir bouilli panels to the outer face with reserved fronds and tendrils on a pounced field, central roundel with agnus dei and four radiating heater-shaped lobes with heraldic designs - crossed keys, field of fleurs-de-lys, lion rampant and plain chief (upper panel); below the rim, six of original seven rectangular brackets; inner face with later sheet-bronze lining bearing printed gilt designs; old collector's label to inner base with indistinct legend end ing '...Lille'. 545 grams, 23 cm wide



By repute, collection of Andre (1875-1949) and Maria (1887-1947) Larminet-Davioud, Lille. By descent to Georges Davioud (1927-2014), Lille. By descent to his heirs, and sold at their sale, Pierre Berge, Paris, 27th January 2021.

Comprising a squat hollow-formed base with linear detailing to the sidewall, tubular stem with biconvex collar, tubular socket with horizontal linear ornament. 232 grams, 14 cm



Found Romney Marsh area, Kent, 1990-2015. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector.

With a chased hoop engraved externally: 'L: ROGERS.OB:19.AUG:1725.AET:22', fluted octagonal bezel set with an onyx intaglio engraved with an intertwined LR monogram and a skull and crossbones, triangular shoulders with small silver settings. 2.30 grams, 21.23 mm overall, 18.06 x 15.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13499-263472.

The memento mori jewellery of the 16th-18th centuries served as wearable ‘reminders of mortality’. Typical motifs within this genre included skulls, skeletons, crossbones, hourglasses, coffins, the gravedigger’s pick and shovel, and various other emblems of death and decay.

With an octagonal bezel centred by a white enamel skull against a black enamel ground, the interior of the hoop engraved in italic script: 'OREMUS PRO FIDELIBUS DEFUNCTIS' for 'Let us pray for the faithful departed'. 3.43 grams, 19.44 mm overall, 16.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13509-263388.

The prayer for the faithful departed gives the ring its Catholic devotional character.

The hoop plano-convex in section with impressed stylised skull to the outer face; inscribed to inner face 'EP Jan 23 66' and punched maker's mark 'IV' in an incuse rectangle. 2.01 grams, 18.57 mm overall, 16.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)



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

D-shaped in cross-section, the exterior decorated along each edge with a sunken groove with counter-relief ovals set longitudinally, alternating with pairs of smaller ovals set transversely to the groove, resembling a dotted line, but with hints of classical bead-and-reel ornament; between the two, along the centre of the hoop, a shallowly sunken area filled with closely set counter-relief C-shapes; the interior with a neatly engraved inscription in lower-case italic lettering, reading 'My choice is my delight'; straightened. 1.83 grams, 16.01 mm overall, 14.05 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F, USA 2 3/4, Europe 3.67, Japan 3)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Wood Norton, Norfolk, UK, by Steven Leeder, on Tuesday 2nd April 2024; recorded as a find of potential Treasure and subsequently disclaimed by the Crown. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.NMS-BD2246. Accompanied by a copy of the Report of a find of potential Treasure for H M Coroner no.2025 T169. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum stating: 'On behalf of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, I am writing to inform you that the Crown's interest in this find has been disclaimed'.

The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) states: 'This precise posy (or motto) does not appear to have been yet recorded on the PAS database, although the variants In thy sight is my delight, In thee my choice I do rejoice and particularly I like my choice are well known. The subtle decoration of several concentric bands of geometric ornament on the outside of the hoop is also very unusual in a posy ring, but can perhaps be paralleled by LEIC-B3CF79, YORYM-B0EB9B and YORYM-2A5351 (all with inscriptions in capitals).'

D-section slender hoop with openwork floral shoulders set with small diamonds, an octagonal bezel with piecrust edge, set with a foil-backed ruby. 6.00 grams, 23.42 mm overall, 16.64 x 17.76 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



Private collection of a North London lady before 2000. Property of a London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13545-263670.

This ring design appeared during the 16th-17th centuries with varying decorative elements. The foliage and the ‘fleurs-de-lis’ motif can be dated to the 2nd half of the 16th century A.D.

Set with a rectangular table-cut emerald in a raised box collet, small petal-shaped projections surrounding the stone, creating a flower-like setting, the bezel supported by chased and pierced foliate scroll shoulders projecting from a slender hoop. 4.26 grams, 26.19 mm overall, 16.36 x 17.38 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection.

The combination of the projecting floral collet, table-cut stone and vegetal shoulders corresponds to late sixteenth-century South German rings, including an emerald ring with a Blütenfassung, or flower setting, in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum. Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, T 4298.

Comprising a slender hoop with fluted shoulders terminating in small plaques, one plaque with the letter 'G' and the other with 'I'; rectangular collet setting with a table-cut deep-red garnet. 4.98 grams, 25.90 mm overall, 19.01 x 18.17 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection.

With intricately engraved shoulders, with floral design, filled with the remains of black enamel; the bezel with a discoid intaglio standing figure of Mercury in profile, with marsupium in one extended hand and caduceus supported in the crook of the other arm with chlamys draped from the shoulder. 2.87 grams, 24.61 mm overall, 18.76 x 21.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



Ex Peter Szuhay, Mayfair, London, UK. Private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13487-262460.

On such gems, the god is usually depicted standing, with his head in profile and accompanied by his attributes: he holds a purse, a marsupium, in one hand, while the caduceus is tucked under his arm, wrapped in his cloak. Mercury was the patron of commerce and merchants, but also of thieves; the purse represented profit.