Bactrian Style Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace String

Formed of a wide band with faux-ropework borders and plaited brown hair, hinged outer cover with the locking mechanism formed as two clasping hands, three circular openings with decorative cuts on each arm; inside engraved with 'Dbre 14/74'. 8.44 grams, 24.71 mm overall, 17.09 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



From the old family collection of a West Country, UK, lady; acquired by descent from her grandfather circa 2001.

This ring features the ancient fede motif of two hands clasped together. These symbols represented love and fidelity. The ring was likely a token of love symbolising everlasting devotion, or possibly a betrothal ring. The motif of the two clasped hands was already in use in ancient Rome, as a symbol of pledging of vows, which derives from the Roman dextarum iunctio (right hand joined). Fede rings remained popular throughout Europe until well into the 19th century.

Finely carved, high-relief cameo depicting profile bust of the goddess, wearing a plumed helmet with the crest supported by a winged Pegasus, her hair modelled in soft curls framing the face and falling over the shoulder above articulated lorica (battle armour); small grape-shaped earrings and multiple necklaces carefully rendered, creating an appealing contrast between martial attributes and feminine ornament; set in an unmarked, high-carat gold frame, probably struck and finished in England after the gem’s return from the Grand Tour, two lateral suspension loops. 14.98 grams, 36 mm



Acquired on the European art market.

The relief shows confident toolwork: crisp contours to the facial profile, detailed treatment of the helmet and feathers, and subtle gradations of planes between the figure and the background.

Large paper advertising poster in five tones depicting a country town with a mix of weatherboard, brick-built and Georgian shops and buildings, figures and horses; to bottom left 'Gregory Brown / 38'; title 'Old Country Towns in Southern England' over 'via Southampton Docks or the short sea routes of the Southern Railway'; bottom right 'Printed in Great Britain by Waterlow and Sons, London and Dunstable'; linen backed. 931 grams, 134 x 108.5 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Harwich, UK, collector.

F. Gregory Brown was a commercial artist who inspired a generation of designers and helped to improve the quality of pre-war advertising in Britain. 'Old Country Towns' was one of Brown’s last works, printed just before his death aged 54 in 1941.