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

Formed as a column of three bulbs with four radiating bulbs near the end, ring with loop. 19 grams, 43 mm including loops



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

Ellipsoid bezel with two facing nimbate figures in floor-length robes. 2.86 grams, 23.50 mm overall, 20.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



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

Square-section hoop from black glass with orange, yellow and blue bands to the outer face. 60.3 grams, 95 mm



From the collection of a gentleman born in the late 19th century, formed 1940s-1970s. From an old Staffordshire family collection; thence by descent.

Hoop with carinated profile and spur to each shoulder, cup and lobe projection with barleytwist detailing, mandrel to the upper face. 5.74 grams, 31.20 mm overall, 14.40 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4)



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

Comprising a piriform body on a basal ring, carination to the shoulder, thickened rim and strap handle with polyhedral thumb-pad. 1.33 kg, 25 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1980s-2010.

D-section hoop with expanding shoulders and discoid bezel, engraved stylised profile bird (?). 8.77 grams, 26.86 mm overall, 17.40 x 19.93 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



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

Ellipsoid in plan with incuse facing figure of Victory holding a staff; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.32 grams, 19 mm



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

Each an openwork rosette with tiered central boss, suspension loop with roundel. 9.02 grams total, 51 mm each



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

Wide hoop with starburst motifs on the shoulders, discoid bezel with stylised eagle with open wings. 4.29 grams, 22.15 mm overall, 20.61 x 17.91 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.

With broad shoulder and conical body, everted rim, two loop handles and applied undulating band to the shoulder. 51.34 grams, 47 mm wide



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

This jar is a Syro-Palestinian type. Similar jars were found in the graves of Beit Fajjar, Palestine, and usually dated at the 4th-5th centuries A.D. Their colour is usually yellow-green or light green, but purple is also used.

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 619 grams, 12.8 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.

Each a slipper-shaped lamp with raised detail to the shoulder. 215 gramms total, 8.9-10.8 cm



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