Celtic Bronze Bird Bowl Mount

Possibly the end-panel of a wooden casket, with champ levé enamel scrolls flanking a central palmette within a rectilinear border; Chris Rudd says: 'The S-shaped scroll either side of the central palmette motif is reminiscent of the S-shaped scrolls seen on Lindsey Scyphate gold quarter staters (ABC 1770, 1773), struck by the Corieltavi, close neighbours of the Brigantes.' 37.7 grams, 57 mm



Found North Yorkshire, UK. Ex Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s. Collection number CE26. Accompanied by a Chris Rudd information card.

Chris Rudd has collected ancient coins and antiquities since the 1940s. As an amateur archaeologist he found many himself at Badbury Rings, Dorset, 1952-53. He also dug at Hod Hill with Professor Sir Ian Richmond and at Wroxeter with Dame Kathleen Kenyon and Dr Graham Webster. Today he is best known as a Celtic coin dealer. His catalogues have been described as ‘an important research source’ by Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe and ‘treasure houses of delight’ by Dr Anne Ross. Coins and artefacts associated with Chris Rudd – as a collector, dealer and valuer – can be seen in The British Museum and other museums. This collection was formed since the 1970s.

S-shaped with scrolled flourishes to the dragon-head terminals, remains of inlaid blue and red enamelling to the stylised beast heads, wave and lozenge ornament to the body; free-running tongue with head coiled around the neck of one of the creatures; Romano-British. 24.9 grams, 60 mm



Found Lincolnshire, UK.

Such fibulae served functional and decorative purposes; the curved pin would have fastened pieces of cloth. They were worn singly or as pairs.

With detailing, recess and mounting lugs to base; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 115 grams total, bull: 51 mm long



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.