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

Modelled as a trophy leg; burnished pottery vessel with a planar base, a bulbous body shaped like a human thigh, shin, and foot; stirrup-shaped handle with broad corners, cylindrical spout with a flared lip; the upper face with incised glyphs: abstract jaguar-human heads bearing rectangular eyes, curled noses and ears, and gaping, toothy mouths; from each maw a flowing life-force trail that merges with the back of the next head; further embellished with red cinnabar pigment contrasted with the coffee-colored body; professionally repaired and restored. 609 grams, 19 cm high



Hans Juergen Westermann, Germany, 1950s-1060s. Private collection, Hawaii, USA. with Artemis Gallery, 7 October 2020. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Artemis Gallery.

A 'trophy leg' would occasionally be taken from a defeated enemy combatant along with the head.

Depicting a highly stylised anthropomorphic character standing frontally, with a disproportionately large head, schematic facial features, and arms crossed over the chest, with the hands carefully indicated; the hair, or possibly a close-fitting headdress, rendered by a series of deeply incised parallel groove; the body tapering to a conical lower section, emphasising the abstract character of the representation; dark grey to black firing, with traces of light-coloured mineral encrustations. 8.18 grams, 41 mm



Acquired on the European art market in 1990s. English private collection.

Comprising: a vessel fragment with a high-relief head with striated hair and large earrings; a hollow-form statue fragment of a female with a large headdress and a wide collar around her neck. 190 grams total, 5.7-13 cm



From the collection of a Cambridge, UK, gentleman, by direct descent from his father, who acquired the items in London in circa 1960.

Hollow-formed terracotta warrior in aggressive stance, holding a club menacingly in both hands, and wearing jewellery in the nose and ears, and a red loincloth knotted at the front, the face with painted detailing and a painted collar around the neck. 3.57 kg, 37.5 cm



Private collection of Leo (1922-1979) and Evelyn D. Farland (1930-2025), New York, thence by descent.

Jalisco warrior or guardian figures were produced to accompany and protect the deceased. The barrel-shaped armour and weapons adorning these figures offer a rare glimpse into how warfare may have been conducted in ancient west Mexico.

Comprising three round-section bands with white beadwork, a fringe made of larger white beads on one edge and a rectangular panel of small white beads with a colourful emblem at the centre. 386 grams, 72 cm



From Central Zululand, South Africa, 1999. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

A matched pair of panels formed of small black, green, red and white beads with a fringe to the lower edge. 120 grams total, 14.5-15 cm



Collected Isigege Nongoma region, Kwa-Zulu, South Africa. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

An intricate netted beadwork collar composed of small white beads. 467 grams, 51 cm



Collected North-West Zululand, South Africa, 2007. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

A woven grass reed beer stirrer with a blue, green, red and black lozenge decoration. 116 grams, 51 cm



Collected North-West Zululand, South Africa, 2007. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

Composed of six round-section bands with polychrome beadwork, fringed edge. 532 grams, 84 cm



From Northern Zululand, South Africa, 2002. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

A multistrand necklace composed of colourful beads and brass studs, a rectangular pendant with geometric motifs; some beadwork has become undone. 105 grams total, necklace: 60 cm long



Collected south of Sighubudu mountain, 25 km south of Isandlwana, a district of Zululand. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

Woven grass belt decorated with polychrome beads and brass studs. 435 grams, 97.5 cm



From North Tanyana Mountain, Zululand, South Africa, 2006. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

Composed of vibrant polychrome beads and metal studs, the centre piece formed of a duiker horn. 63 grams total, necklace: 44 cm long



Collected in the Buffalo River Valley, north of Sighubudu Mountain, 25 km south of Isandlwana, a district of Zululand. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.