Chinese Style Hardstone Plaque

An extremely rare mould half for producing toy cannons, D-section with a concave centre to receive the molten metal, side channels for trunnions and deep grooves to the main body for decoration; a long projecting 'handle' to base. 143 grams, 10.9 cm



Found Aughton, West Lancashire, UK, in 2015. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.LVPL-3C5611. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Published by PAS as '1 of the top 50' finds in the North West a couple of years ago. According to PAS this is a 'find of note' and has been designated regional importance.

Shallow silver-plated outer case with lateral drop handles and lipped lid with impressed '2' to rim, bae with incised heraldic motif of a dragon crest beneath a coronet within a buckled garter and motto 'Ung Je Servirai' (I will serve only one); two base metal dishes with ropework borders inside. 1.42 kg, 23 cm



From Highclere Castle from the 1950s onwards. Acquired from Newbury Antique Emporium. Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The motto is that of the Fitzherbert family, the Earls of Carnarvon. Probably the best-known bearer of that title is George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon (1866 -1923), who financed the exploratory excavations of Howard Carter which resulted in the discovery and publication of the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamen in the 1920s. On 19 March 1923, Carnarvon contracted blood poisoning after accidentally shaving a mosquito bite infected with erysipelas. He died a few days later on 5 April, in the Continental-Savoy Hotel in Cairo. This unexpected and untimely death gave rise to the story of the 'Curse of the Mummy'. He is buried in a tomb at Beacon Hill, Hampshire and the family lives in Highclere Castle nearby. Highclere is the location chosen for the filming of the BBC drama series 'Downton Abbey'.

With embossed St. George and the Dragon, surrounded by '1897, Victoria & Saint Georges Challenge Shield', presented by Mrs. W. Clemence, with nine winners noted around the outer edge. 1.04 kg, 39.5 cm



Presented by Mrs W. Clemence in 1897. Property of a Stockport, UK, collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The regiment was raised as the 1st (Victoria Rifle Club) Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps and became the 1st Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps on the formation of the Volunteer Force in 1860. By 1892 the 1st Middlesex and 6th (St George's) Rifle Volunteer Corps were joined together.