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

Group of mixed beads, including polychrome beads with trail decoration. 31 gram total, 7-30 mm



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

Mixed group of fragments, including a neck fragment showing the majority of the face decoration, some with inked collector's notes with find locations. 880 grams total, 2-11 cm



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

D-section hoop with beast-head shoulders supporting a tall bezel set with a lapis lazuli intaglio with a profile bust. 11.61 grams, 30.57 mm overall, 18.88 x 18.12 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



Ex West London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Composed of small, annular turquoise, green and other beads. 4.62 grams, 36 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Comprising: a D-section ring with 'LOVE LOVE' inscription; a round-section ring with a garnet in a collet setting; a wide ring with piecrust edges and a central band with a chain-motif. 4.94 grams total, 17-24 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman.

Two-piece enkolpion with hinge to upper edge; obverse with Corpus Christi flanked by saints, plaque with 'IC' above and beneath the arms 'ICXC - NHKA'; reverse with standing robed figure in orans pose among four roundels each with a facing bust. 118 grams, 94 mm



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

Group of polychrome beads, including some with trail decoration and a millefiori bead. 26 grams total, 2-22 mm



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

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.