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

Dark brown, rounded bezoar with a granular surface, fitted with a domed silver-gilt cap and circular suspension loop, the cap decorated with pointed leaves, their outlines and central veins defined against textured grounds. 74 grams, 80 mm



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13478-263372.

Bezoars were valued in European and Asian medicinal traditions for their supposed ability to counteract poison. Natural examples are concretions formed around indigestible material within the digestive systems of animals. Their historical reputation is reflected in the name, derived from the Persian p ādzahr, meaning “antidote”. During the early modern period, bezoars were furnished with precious-metal caps, cages and containers. Mounted examples could be worn as protective pendants, suspended for medicinal use, or preserved among the natural specimens and costly objects assembled in cabinets of curiosities. The present leaf-decorated cap belongs to this tradition of combining a valued specimen with ornamental metalwork. Surviving comparisons include a 17th-century brown bezoar pendant in a silver mount at the London Museum and an 18th-century silver-mounted example in the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid. These documents the continued use of silver mounts for bezoars across both centuries and provide the historical setting for the present example.

Assemblage of non-medical instruments, each with a balustered shank and knop finial; hook, narrow blade, pierced spoon, probe, scoop, corkscrew and other types; possibly for apothecary, culinary or artistic use. 195 grams total, 15.5-18.8 cm



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

Modelled in the three-quarter view with hollow eye sockets and nasal cavity, detailed upper teeth and a large suspension loop on the top. 50.3 grams, 50 mm



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection.

Formed as a single square-section wire twisted with rounded terminals, with one twisted and looped end, one hooked; stamped to one face. 59.18 grams, 78 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.

Each plano-convex with worked design to the domed surface. 3.73 grams total, 11-12 mm



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

With D-section shank, openwork volute shoulders and insert irregular gemstone. 1.76 grams, 23.10 mm overall, 19.54 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.

Large group of glass items, including bottle necks, a dish, a complete glass bottle by Clauton Bros, London, and other items. 1.1 kg total, 2.2-18.5 cm



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

Composed of small annular turquoise, green and other beads. 4.69 grams, 39 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Composed of alternating barley-twist and polygonal beads with ring-and-dot motifs, restrung. 44.8 grams, 46.5 cm



Ex West London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Including a signet ring with an inset glass jewel to each shoulder and profile bust of Sol, and other types. 42 grams total, 22-33 mm



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

The hoop with low-relief geometric decoration, a tall bezel with crescentic motifs and set with a green glass intaglio with a stylised horse motif. 14.10 grams, 28.97 mm overall, 19.18 x 16.17 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)



Ex West London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Comprising three matching domed gaming pieces in graduated sizes. 48 grams total, 21-30 mm



Private collection, London, UK.