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

Enkolpion with hinged loop, nimbate figure of Virgin Mary in orans pose to obverse, Corpus Christi to reverse. 20.83 grams, 58 mm



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

Disc bezel with central Maltese cross and border of annulets. 2.67 grams, 22.07 mm overall, 18.90 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



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

Flat-section hoop with expanding shoulders, a discoid plaque with incised bird in flight motif. 4.24 grams, 22.24 mm overall, 20.22 x 18.72 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



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

The body with roundel decoration in relief, small stub handle to the rear and a triangular spout. 83 grams, 96 mm



Ex J. Zadok & Sons, 18, King David Road, Jerusalem, Israel. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. Accompanied by a certificate of antiquity issued by J. Zadok & Sons.

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, impressed circumferential bands on the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 790 grams, 11.9 cm



Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια, where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

With narrow triangular flange, with incised foliage design on the outer face. 3.80 grams, 27.26 mm overall, 20.13 x 21.18 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V, USA 10 1/2, Europe 23.77, Japan 22)



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

Formed as a standing horse in profile with ring-and-dot punched decoration to both sides of the body. 5.45 grams, 37 mm



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

With a tapering octagonal body, the military saint on horseback holding a long spear, the horse wearing a detailed harness; set in a conical silver frame with suspension loop and crenellated edge. 7.9 grams, 30 mm



From an old New Zealand private collection. Acquired on the New Zealand art market circa 2014. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12327-223721.

The motif of a saint on horseback was common in the Romano-Christian culture of the 6th-7th centuries. The figure of a saint symbolised protection of the local church or monastery and its community, and could also be related to the priest leader of the community, as their personal seal.

Showing a bust of a man dressed in a cloak and with his head turned to look over his shoulder, possibly depicting St John; rectangular in plan with rounded corners. 2.52 grams, 19 mm



Acquired from Artemis Gallery, 2003. Private collection, Europe.

Ellipsoid plaque with incuse border to the tondo, profile lion with forelegs extended and tail raised, radiating strokes denoting the mane; casting flaw to shoulder. 3.23 grams, 21.40 mm overall, 18.64 x 14.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)



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

D-shaped in section with corrugations to the outer face. 41 grams total, 52 - 56 mm



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent.

Oval body with a central filler hole, ribbed handle to the rear, and the base with four ring-and-dot motifs. 95 grams, 10.5 cm



Ex J. Zadok & Sons, 18, King David Road, Jerusalem, Israel. From the G.H. Freelander collection, formed in the late 1970s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.