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

Conical in profile with two opposed winged insects. 590 grams, 23.5 cm wide



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

Octagonal in plan with carved scene of the Adoration of the Magi with star above; stepped border, pierced for attachment. 30.2 grams, 68 mm



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

The flat relief and the stylistic refinement of the images place the execution of the plaque towards the end of the 17th century, with some artistic parallels with the Romanian silversmiths of Chiprovatzi.

Barrel-shaped in section with plain borders and barley twist decoration to the median band; inner face with 'LOVE GOD' legend in seriffed capitals. 1.58 grams, 17.43 mm overall, 15.42 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

An antique Belgian-manufactured single-shot rimfire pocket pistol, the action with a separately hinged loading gate and single-action hammer with spur trigger; Liege proof marks; mechanism does not hold cock. 127 grams, 12.5 cm



Acquired on UK art market; previously in a Nottinghamshire, UK, collection. Ex property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. From the private collection of a Kent, UK, gentleman. Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age.

These small calibre, cheap and often quite crudely made pocket pistols (sometimes known as 'Saturday Night Specials') were popular in the late 19th century as weapons for personal defence; large numbers were made in Europe.

Hollow-form figure modelled standing and dressed in long garments tied at the waist, wearing a tall headgear. 490 grams, 22.4 cm



From a West Country, UK, collection, 1990-2000.

Comprising a leaf-shaped blade with a lozenge-section socket and a bent tang below. 930 grams, 51 cm



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1960s. From the private collection of Mr J.P.H., a Woolwich, UK, collector, his collection formed since the 1960s.

Comprising three cone finials, two with identical hieroglyphs and decoration, and one with five vertical lines of raised text. 1.18 kg total, 9.5-10.6 cm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

A cylindrical keyless letter-combination padlock composed of four rotatable discs joined by a bow shackle above; the discs each bearing eleven letters in punched letter type. 67 grams, 40 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman collector. From the private collection of a Kent, UK, gentleman.

Rectangular with broad upper and lateral borders, court scene with seated female holding a frond and facing robed figure with cup, behind her Hermes in winged petasos and sandals carrying a ram; traces of pigment, one corner broken. 694 grams total, 12-23.5 cm



Acquired at auction in Geneva or Basel circa 1989. From the private collection of a Swiss gentleman collector, thence by decent 2018.

Comprising: a mouse standing on its hind legs with a prominent snout; a man wearing a low-crowned hat and sporting curly hair. 12.8 grams total, 29 mm each



From the collection of archaeologist Frederick William Robins.

Comprising: a shabti figure with garbled hieroglyphic text, a reclining Anubis figurine, a carnelian intaglio with a bearded bust, and a large heart scarab with seven lines of hieroglyphic text. 570 grams total, 22-98 mm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. The shabti purchased at Deit el Bahai in March 1975.

Disc bezel with pointillé border enclosing a three-masted sailing ship in profile. 6.33 grams, 22.13 mm overall, 17.98 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



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