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

Discoid clay mould with an impressed design of a campgate on each face. 5.13 grams, 28 mm



London gentleman's collection, 1970-1990s, by descent.

Composed of graduated oblate, annular, and other beads with larger beads as a central feature, restrung. 25 grams, 42 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Mixed group of vessel and other fragments, including a large fragment from a footed conical bowl. 369 grams total, 2.4-10.1 cm



Found at Kiln Site, Park Road, Colchester, UK, in 1955. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Discoid clay mould with an impressed design of a coin on each face. 3.63 grams, 27 mm



London gentleman's collection, 1970-1990s, by descent.

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 26.6 grams total, 11-22 mm



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

The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four-sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term token is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.

Including disc, ellipsoid and other types in bone, glass, shell and other materials. 9.03 grams total, 8-29 mm



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

Including D-shaped, square and other types. 60 grams total, 25-43 mm



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

Comprising eight oval intaglios, including: a profile bust, an advancing warrior with a crested helmet, a seated goddess, and five with standing figures. 4.25 grams total, 10-14 mm



Private collection, London.

Piriform light blue body and a funicular neck; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 20.8 grams total, bottle: 53 mm, 76 mm high including stand



Ex André Lorenceau (1930- 2019), Baselland, 1960s-2000.

Ellipsoid type with intaglio standing figure of Mercury on a baseline with caduceus held in the crook of one arm, marsupium in the other hand; supplied with an impression. 0.23 grams, 8 mm



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

Pennanular, with flat-section hoop and rounded terminals; punched geometric decoration to the outer face. 26.9 grams, 62 mm



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

Discoid, irregular, and other types with impressed animal, figure and a Sassanid seal with tamga motifs. 22 grams total, 14-30 mm



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