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

Comprising: oil lamp with Jupiter and eagle with wings spread; hollow-formed bust with voided eyes, mounted on a wooden stand. 769 grams total, 13.3-25.5 cm



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

Flat-section hoop with bezel formed as clasped hands. 2.05 grams, 19.25 mm overall, 16.51 x 15.69 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)



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

Group of translucent melon beads. 80.6 grams, 56 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Tongue-shaped plaque with integral loop on the short edge; high-relief reef-knot in thick wire with applied texture, rosette to centre and raised studs; void to the rear to accept a decorative fabric panel. 28 grams, 50 mm



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

Comprising: piriform gilt-framed cell with inset composition cover revealing enamelled facing figure with sceptre in each hand; pelleted rim of the cell in openwork with reserved early West Saxon legend 'AELFED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN' ([King] Alfred ordered me [to be] made); to the apex a stylized beast-head with hollow muzzle to accept an insert; reverse with dense foliage design on a hatched field; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 30.59 grams, 53 mm



Private collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous information sheet.

A museum-quality copy of the famous æstel, a pointer used in reading. The hollow muzzle would have been provided with an ivory rod with tapering end (bone or wood might have been used, but ivory would be more suited to so prestigious an object). The original has a rock-crystal cover which reveals the cloisonné enamel image beneath. It is understood that these pointers were distributed from Winchester by the royal court alongside a handwritten manuscript of Gregory's Cura Pastoralis in English (West Saxon) translation to important ecclesiastical establishments with the instruction that the pointer should not be separated from the book, nor the book from the church. Alfred was responsible for undertaking the translation of the text, one of the 'books most needful for men to know' as his prologue states.

Facetted hoop with linear decoration, a hexagonal bezel set with a black intaglio bearing a bearded bust. 9.43 grams, 29.85 mm overall, 15.84 x 18.48 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



Ex West London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Each a biconvex body with D-section nozzle and loop handle with trefoil reflector. 651 grams total, 13.9-14.7 cm



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

The coin from the House of Constantine mounted on 22 carat gold foil, framed with an art print signed by the artist David McAllister, depicting scenes of Roman military activity; limited edition number 71/1150. 1.26 kg, 49.5 x 37.5 cm



UK gallery, early 2000s. Accompanied by a previous numbered certificate of authenticity.

David McAllister's exciting design is a 'one of a kind' work that portrays the might and riches of the Roman civilisation. This limited edition print is a celebration of the award-winning artist's lifetime dedication to historical paintings of the ancient world. To enhance appreciation of this rare and historic work, each print is signed and numbered by the artist.

Comprising: an inscribed sherd of the Bloomsbury amphora; an oil lamp with Venus washing her hair; a metal figure of a reclining cow; a cup with two hounds chasing an antelope in relief, stamped 'Milestone Pottery' on the edge of the foot. 535 grams total, 7-10.7 cm



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

Modelled in half-round with a carved eagle perched at the top, below an animal with a long tongue and ears, an anthropomorphic figure holding a frog and a raven at the bottom; green and yellow pigment on the surface. 9.25 kg, 141 cm



From an unidentified artist, N.W. Canada. Ex Bonhams, Native American Art, 11 December 2018, Lot 402. Acquired on the UK art market. From the collection of Mr Carlos Bahamonde, Manchester, UK.

Including a rhyton with horse-head finial, rider figure, bird brooch and other items. 1.84 kg total, 12 - 3.8 cm



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

Squat in profile with broad base, splash-glaze ornament. 370 grams, 18.5 cm



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