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

Finely knapped and polished tongue-shaped blade embedded in a more recent antler handle with chisel finial. 134 grams, 23.1 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

Cordate in profile with notch to the cutting edge; old label 'Fontmaure / 86 Velleche'; made by Neanderthal. 49.3 grams, 73 mm



From the well-regarded site of Fontmaure, Vaucluse department, France. Acquired in the 1970s-1990s. From the collections of the famous UK musician and amateur archaeologist, Victor Brox (1941-2023). From a private collection.

Comprising one debitage and possibly one natural, each with two inked collection notes, one with 'SNC 11.81 W.G.S.' and '4078/1/28' and a pencilled note '91.9' to the other side, the other with 'SNC 7.80 W.G.S.' and '4266/1/28'. 255 grams total, 66-86 mm



Previously in several old collections, having been annotated with two different accession numbers. Acquired from an Oxfordshire, UK, auction house. From the private collection of a West Midlands lady collector.

Each with rounded butt and broad point, cortex to one face; one marked '1391. Snail[.]inch'. 320 grams total, 85-93 mm



Found during the original official excavations in the Farnham area, Surrey, UK, which were conducted by Harold Faulker (1875-1963), and William Francis Rankine (c.1877-1962), who were instrumental with the excavation works and pit dwellings at sites including Six Bells, Frensham, Tilford, Thursley and Bagshot, and Waverley, amongst others at and near Farnham in the 1930s and 1940s. Much of the material is now in the prestigious Farnham museum. The present part of the collection having been gifted to their good friend and Haselmere Parish Priest, Charles Borelli (c.1914-2000) of Farnham; who was part of the Borelli family from Italy who emigrated from Lake Como in 1828 to set up the Borelli family watch and jewellery business; thence by family descent to his nephew.

Farnham district is one of the most interesting prehistoric regions in England, and has been visited by a succession of prehistoric peoples from Palaeolithic times onwards. Along the southern slope of the Farnham valley are three gravel terraces, which are famous prehistorically and have yielded large quantities of flint implements and bones of prehistoric animals, notably the mammoth. In prehistoric times, the chalk deposits played an important role in attracting settlers, as they contained rich layers of flint nodules used to make implements. The Farnham Gravels have been an abundant source of Palaeolithic finds, most prominent being hand axes. The axes differ in type, and each type is associated with a cultural phase of the Palaeolithic period. Types similar to these are found in similar deposits in the Somme valley and in many English valley gravels. Neolithic people are known to have engaged in flint mining. Polished axes and leaf forms, arrowheads and knives, or possibly lance heads, are characteristic of Neolithic flint work.

Doughnut-shaped and pierced through the centre, inked collector's note 'Denmark WD.3.(monogram)'. 156 grams, 59 mm



Found Denmark. From the collection of Martin Doyle, Leverstock, UK, 1980s-2000s.

Piriform in plan with broad rounded butt. 14.3 grams, 64 mm



From the well-regarded site of Fontmaure, Vienne department, France. Acquired in the 1970s-1990s. From the collections of the famous UK musician and amateur archaeologist, Victor Brox (1941-2023). From a private collection.

Ovate with brown-orange patina, inked collector's note 'Framce Rosehill coll.' and a pencilled note below. 280 grams, 11.8 cm



From France (according to inscription). The Rosehill Collection of the Rt Hon David Carnegie (1865-1921), 10th Earl of Northesk (according to inscription), and likely sold at the sale of his collection at Christie's, London, 14-17 July 1924. Collection of Michel C. Vaes (1934-2024), Belgium, formed 1960s-90s. Accompanied by a copy of the EU Licence no.2026 DMF 0436.

Hammerstone with rounded ends; old typed label 'ENQ:III5, Cherty sand-stone. 1950', 'Trottsford 19/3/50' and others mainly effaced. 310 grams, 11.4 cm



Found Trottsford, Norfolk, UK, on 19th March 1950. From the collection of Haselmere Parish Priest, Charles Borelli (c.1914-2000) of Farnham; who was part of the Borelli family from Italy who emigrated from Lake Como in 1828 to set up the Borelli family watch and jewellery business; thence by family descent to his nephew.

Farnham district is one of the most interesting prehistoric regions in England, and has been visited by a succession of prehistoric peoples from Palaeolithic times onwards. Along the southern slope of the Farnham valley are three gravel terraces, which are famous prehistorically and have yielded large quantities of flint implements and bones of prehistoric animals, notably the mammoth. In prehistoric times, the chalk deposits played an important role in attracting settlers, as they contained rich layers of flint nodules used to make implements. The Farnham Gravels have been an abundant source of Palaeolithic finds, most prominent being hand axes. The axes differ in type, and each type is associated with a cultural phase of the Palaeolithic period. Types similar to these are found in similar deposits in the Somme valley and in many English valley gravels. Neolithic people are known to have engaged in flint mining. Polished axes and leaf forms, arrowheads and knives, or possibly lance heads, are characteristic of Neolithic flint work.

With a rounded butt, slightly curving cutting edge and a round socket; inked collector's note 'Slagelse' to the rear. 1.28 kg, 17 cm



Found Slagelse, Denmark. From the collection of Martin Doyle, Leverstock, UK, 1980s-2000s.

Finely produced from local diabase/amphibolite and characteristic of the restricted Limhamn-Nivå tradition of North Sjælland and Scania; unusually well-polished for the type, with intact form and clear Mesolithic workmanship, possibly ceremonial. 406 grams, 11.5 cm



Found Aatoften Settlement, Nive Mill South, Nivaa, Denmark, 1970. From the private collection of amateur archaeologist Jorgen Faxholm, UK. Accompanied by copies of the relevant book pages where this axe is published.

This type represents a distinctive South Scandinavian Mesolithic tradition. Limhamn axes illustrate the indigenous technological development from the earlier Nøstvet and Lihult tools. While Limhamn axes are typically heavily scarred from knapping and crushing, this specimen appears unused and shows unusually fine grinding and surface finish, suggesting a piece of elevated status, adding limited practical use. The type is found exclusively in North Sjælland (Denmark) and Scania (Sweden), indicating a localised craft tradition with minimal external influence. A rare and representative example of Scandinavian Mesolithic stone craftsmanship, unbroken from Maglemose to Ertebølle.

Comprising fifteen knapped implements, including blades and scrapers, most with inked notations. 55 grams total, 34-74 mm



Found during the original official excavations in the Farnham area, Surrey, UK, which were conducted by Harold Faulker (1875-1963), and William Francis Rankine (c.1877-1962), who were instrumental with the excavation works and pit dwellings at sites including Six Bells, Frensham, Tilford, Thursley and Bagshot, and Waverley, amongst others at and near Farnham in the 1930s and 1940s. Much of the material is now in the prestigious Farnham museum. The present part of the collection having been gifted to their good friend and Haselmere Parish Priest, Charles Borelli (c.1914-2000) of Farnham; who was part of the Borelli family from Italy who emigrated from Lake Como in 1828 to set up the Borelli family watch and jewellery business; thence by family descent to his nephew.

Farnham district is one of the most interesting prehistoric regions in England, and has been visited by a succession of prehistoric peoples from Palaeolithic times onwards. Along the southern slope of the Farnham valley are three gravel terraces, which are famous prehistorically and have yielded large quantities of flint implements and bones of prehistoric animals, notably the mammoth. In prehistoric times, the chalk deposits played an important role in attracting settlers, as they contained rich layers of flint nodules used to make implements. The Farnham Gravels have been an abundant source of Palaeolithic finds, most prominent being hand axes. The axes differ in type, and each type is associated with a cultural phase of the Palaeolithic period. Types similar to these are found in similar deposits in the Somme valley and in many English valley gravels. Neolithic people are known to have engaged in flint mining. Polished axes and leaf forms, arrowheads and knives, or possibly lance heads, are characteristic of Neolithic flint work.

Round-section pestle with polished butt; inked legend 'Treen / Penwith / Sam Angoye'. 218 grams, 76 mm



Found Treen, Penwith, UK. From the collection of Haselmere Parish Priest, Charles Borelli (c.1914-2000) of Farnham; who was part of the Borelli family from Italy who emigrated from Lake Como in 1828 to set up the Borelli family watch and jewellery business; thence by family descent to his nephew.

Farnham district is one of the most interesting prehistoric regions in England, and has been visited by a succession of prehistoric peoples from Palaeolithic times onwards. Along the southern slope of the Farnham valley are three gravel terraces, which are famous prehistorically and have yielded large quantities of flint implements and bones of prehistoric animals, notably the mammoth. In prehistoric times, the chalk deposits played an important role in attracting settlers, as they contained rich layers of flint nodules used to make implements. The Farnham Gravels have been an abundant source of Palaeolithic finds, most prominent being hand axes. The axes differ in type, and each type is associated with a cultural phase of the Palaeolithic period. Types similar to these are found in similar deposits in the Somme valley and in many English valley gravels. Neolithic people are known to have engaged in flint mining. Polished axes and leaf forms, arrowheads and knives, or possibly lance heads, are characteristic of Neolithic flint work.