Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Comprising: a substantial ring, the upper section formed as a series of conjoined bulbs, the lower portion lentoid in section springing from a bulb; the bulb mounted on a base, C-shaped in section, carinated and recurved at each end to terminate in a knop attached to the underside of the ring; the base developing to a vertical strap with flanking crescent horns meeting at a ribbed collar; beneath the bulb, a rectangular loop to accept a bridle strap; one side of base absent. 64.6 grams, 63 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Lancashire, UK, collector.

The design features of the terret are consistent with Insular La Tène art of the last centuries B.C., such as the returned horns with knop finials and the crescent motifs.

Robust ring of octagonal section, fashioned from drawn and hammered wire, the hoop terminating in tightly coiled spirals, which flank a rectangular ornament soldered across the bezel, recalling a miniature axe-head; the coils further reinforced with wrapped silver wire, securing the decorative composition. 8.30 grams, 28.40 mm overall, 21.70 x 19.32 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



Bonhams, Fine Antiquities, 4 July 1998, no.19. Private collection, UK, 1990s. with Rupert Wace Ancient Art Ltd, London. with Ariadne Galleries, New York and London, acquired from the above at TEFAF 2014, New York. Private American collection, acquired from the above, 23 January 2017.

This ring belongs to the repertoire of autochthonous Balkan silverwork that flourished from the Roman conquest through the mid-3rd century. The type is closely related to ornaments documented in the Tekija and Bare hoards, where bracelets and rings with spiral-wrapped ends and miniature axes appear as apotropaic symbols. While the axe motif was deeply embedded in Dacian and Balkan visual culture, its execution here in silver, combined with wire wrapping and spiralled terminals, reflects the enduring influence of Hellenistic toreutics upon local craftsmanship. Rather than a Viking jewel, the ring finds its most convincing parallels among the Balkan-Danubian silver hoards of the early Roman Empire.

Circular in plan and comprising a thin sheet backing plate with applied tall sides set perpendicular to create a mount for the stone; the sides formed from six bands of twisted wire that are set at alternating directions to create a chevron pattern; the aperture of the mount made from flat and undecorated sheet metal that folded inwards to hold the stone in place, the setting a cabochon-cut red stone, believed to be amber. 1.51 grams, 14 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Twyning, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK, on Sunday 17th August 2025 by Ben Williams; recorded as Treasure and disclaimed by the Crown with Treasure case tracking no.2025 T1597. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.GLO-D25ABA.

Foil disc with central cell surrounded by a beaded filigree collar, ropework filigree rim and granule clusters to the tondo; cell with inset garnet cabochon; broad ribbed lop with hollow-formed granule stud at the junction. 0.94 grams, 20 mm



From a European collection, 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman

Formed as a miniature twibil with loop handle and granule to each corner. 0.64 grams, 13 mm



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

Miniature drum-shaped vessel covered in filigree meander pattern with bobbles and strap handle. 1.60 grams, 12 mm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.

Pendants in the form of miniature buckets have been found in a number of pagan Anglo-Saxon and Viking contexts and are generally made of bronze or iron, with gold examples being rare; three gold examples were found with the hoard from Hoen, Norway. Bronze bucket amulets have been found at Driffield in Yorkshire, and Vimose bog in Denmark, among other places. In form they represent wooden buckets bound with bronze or iron bands which have been found in Anglo-Saxon and Viking graves and are believed to have held mead or ale and were used to replenish the cups from which warriors drank. As amulets they probably represent the ecstatic power of alcoholic drink and the role of women as the dispensers of these precious beverages.

Of circular form, each composed of a plain gold hoop terminating in a cube-shaped setting displayed upon panels of almandine garnet, carefully cut and backed with gold foil to enhance their translucency and depth of colour; the polygonal settings formed of intersecting gold struts. 21.44 grams total, 30-32mm



New York art market. Christie's, New York, 18 December 1998, no.316. with Ariadne Galleries, New York, acquired at the above sale. Private American collection, acquired from the above, 27 April 2016.

Collectively, these objects demonstrate the wide diffusion of this Ostrogothic type across the Mediterranean, highlighting both the technical mastery of cloisonné work and its symbolic value within elite Gothic adornment. Their integrity is exceptional for jewels of this period, and they would be suitable, if desired, for sympathetic adaptation with discreet loops for modern wear. The use of garnet inlaid into gold cells reflects the continuation of Late Roman cloisonné techniques, adapted and developed within the Ostrogothic world. Such earrings, with their bold cubic settings and luminous stones, would have projected wealth and status, while also embodying the cultural synthesis of Roman and Gothic traditions in Italy and the wider Mediterranean during the 6th century. Displayed upon a modern bespoke bronze stand, included with the earrings.

Penannular torc formed of two round-section rods with a looped terminal. 54 grams, 14 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, Suffolk.

Matched pair of penannular arm bands with hatched decoration on the upper face. 154 grams total, 11.3-11.8 cm



From a 1980s collection. Ex North West London gallery. Private collection, Suffolk.

Comprising a D-shaped haedplate with scrolled tendril fill and seven radiating knops; flattened bow above triangular foot plate with similar tendril motifs, profile bird-heads to each edge, lobe finial with acing mask; ferrous pin to reverse. 67 grams, 10 cm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

Equal-arm type with raised borders to the arms, trilobe finial, central domed roundel and pierced lug. 18.5 grams, 52 mm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

Openwork pendant with integral loop, pelleted rim, profile beast with head turned to the rear, parcel gilt detailing. 5.62 grams, 33 mm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK.