Celtic Enamelled Bronze Chariot Lynch Pin Terminal

A broad iron sword with tapering blade and rounded shoulders, bronze hilt with crescentic pommel and apotropaic eye motifs to both sides; accompanied by bronze scabbard or baldric elements including a pair of eyelets with suspension loops, four circular appliqués with conical tips and ropework borders, and a scabbard chape with two opposing ibexes; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 2.2 kg total, 78 cm including stand



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12914-245170.

The sword belongs to the Caucasian culture of the Colchis and represents a very rare typology. A similar blade was found together with early Scythian arrows during excavations at Karmir-Blur. A similar combination found at Kulanurkhva’s excavations suggests that the appearance of such blades in Abkhazia is linked to the Scythian campaigns in Near Eastern Asia.

Discoid in plan with central granule and three more to the rim; openwork comma-leaf motif; pin-lugs and catch to reverse. 8.23 grams, 31 mm



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

Slender hoop with the bezel formed of three circular cells, each recessed to accept enamel. 0.91 grams, 18.90 mm overall, 16.38 x 13.20 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G 1/2, USA 3 1/2, Europe 5.55, Japan 5)



Found Kent, UK. Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Some of these rings, found in the children's graves, bear the inscription TOT and were dedicated to the devotion of the god Totatis, a Celtic divinity absorbed into the Romano-British pantheon. Originally, our ring was ornamented with enamel.