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

Substantial ring with fluted shoulders, a rectangular bezel with a central cross flanked by letters D and E. 11.03 grams, 26.65 mm overall, 20.86 x 22.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W, USA 11, Europe 25, Japan 24)



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

Claddagh ring with D-section hoop and the bezel formed as a heart held by two hands, topped by a crown. 1.96 grams, 22.10 mm overall, 19.19 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



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

With disc bezel, high-relief hexafoil with pellet centre, beaded rim. 3.80 grams, 25.45 mm overall, 20.34 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)



Ex North London gentleman; formerly with Robin Symes Gallery, Mayfair, before 1999. Private collection, Suffolk, UK.

Flat-section hoop with raised bosses beneath the decorative panels on the shoulders, a rectangular bezel set with an agate gemstone with a scorpion motif. 8.43 grams, 29.22 mm overall, 18.94 x 19.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



London, UK, collection, 1980s-1990s.

Portrait of a young woman, her head turned slightly to the right, with an oval face, thin almond-shaped eyes, and a large mouth with full lips; her curly hair arranged above her forehead in a series of rich curls; her clothing consisting of a pink tunic visible at the neck and shoulders; encaustic on wood. 1.73 kg total, 47 x 33.8 cm including frame

Condition In good condition, the painted board has been mounted on to a piece of wood in recent history. The surface has a dirt overlay that is expected with age. Minor losses, affecting the top edge and and left proper edge. Minor losses throughout and one vertical crack runs the length of the wood grain.

Private collection of Dr Fred Olsen (1891-1986) and Mrs Florence Ellen Olsen (née Quittenton, d.1996), Guilford, Connecticut, by at least 1961. Exhibited at 'Coptic Art', The Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 5 December 1961-7 January 1962, no.L-380-2, loan number L61.711.

Fayum portraits, painted on wood or linen, applied to the mummies of the Graeco-Roman period, are one of the most wonderful legacies that the koiné of the Graeco-Roman world has left us. Due to the favourable climate enhancing the state of preservation, these encaustic paintings have left us an almost photographic testimony of the faces of the inhabitants of Roman Egypt.

Hollowed-out mammal bone, cut to form a U-shaped corer, inked collector's note 'Moore Lane', on the underside. 30.2 grams, 15.1 cm



From the private collection of Graham Slater (1927-2024), Cambridge, UK; formed 1980s-1990s.

Resin cast reproduction of the 'Gilgamesh tablet XI' with dense cuneiform text in two unequal columns on each broad face, separated by a vertical longitudinal gutter; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.01 kg total, 20.4 cm including stand



From the collection of David Donlan (1947-2025), a dedicated and lifelong collector with a passion for the ancient world and the natural sciences, forming his collection from 1960s onwards, using many reputable dealers across the United Kingdom, including the well-regarded Coincraft and The Parthenon Gallery.

Rectangular panel with a profile head of a female wearing a bag-wig and two collars around her neck. 1.04 kg, 18.2 cm



By repute ex Christie's, Ne York, 1996 and an old European collection. Private collection, London, UK.

Depicting Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostomus, all nimbate and holding their holy writings, under the vision of the Holy Mandylion; Saint Basil wearing a bishop's sakkos, the other two wearing the usual orthodox priest's garb, phelonia; all three wearing a brocade band, omophorion, with four crosses; inscriptions in Old Slavonic with the names of the Saints, on the Nimbus of Jesus, the letters 'O Ѡ N' (‘I AM’); names of the Saints in the background in Old Slavonic; framed by double moulding, the first decorated with crenellated elements, the second with arabesques. 270 grams, 11.5 cm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The icon is the so-called icon of the three hierarchs, Saint Gregory the Theologian (Gregory of Nazianzus), Saint Basil the Great (Basil of Caesarea) and Saint John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople. All three were important fathers of the church who strove to clarify and crystallise Dogma, for the unity of the faith, of the Liturgy and the needs of philosophy and letters.

Of academic interest, copper coated lead seal impressions taken from cylinder seals, containing various different motifs. 231 grams total, 27-47 mm



Possibly made by the British Museum. From a West Country, UK, private collection.

Quatrefoil in plan with interstitial tags, central pelleted collar and dome; incised hatched rosette to each petal; copperplate monogram to reverse with 'FG'; with late 20th-century chain. 26 grams, 56.8 cm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Showing a royal figure on the left, holding the reins of his caparisoned horse, at the centre a yogi beneath an arch with a tree behind and two bovines gazing at him, tufts of long grass in the foreground with multiple faces emerging between the blades; set on a display stand. 258 grams total, 15.1 cm wide including stand



From the collection of David Donlan (1947–2025), a dedicated and lifelong collector with a passion for the ancient world and the natural sciences, forming his collection from the 1960s onwards, using many reputable dealers across the United Kingdom, including the well-regarded Coincraft and The Parthenon Gallery.