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LOT 2132
Cylinder Seal Electrotype Group
LATE 19TH-EARLY 20TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/8 - 1 3/4 in. (250 grams total, 36-46 mm).
Of academic interest, copper-coated lead seal impressions including presentation scenes, combat scenes, court scenes and others; some with cuneiform text. [12, No Reserve]
ProvenancePossibly made by the British Museum.
From a West Country, UK, private collection.
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AUCTIONS:
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Very Large Glazed Bellarmine Witch's Bottle with Contents
Late 16th-early 17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,750
Vessel of squat spherical form with a broad cylindrical neck, strap handle and foot with rolled rim, bearded face (Bartmann 'mask') and other detailing; with original contents comprising: eight iron clout nails with square-section shank and domed head; three similar with flat head; base metal dress pin with hollow-formed spherical head; similar with biconvex head; fragment of coarse-woven textile with five pins in situ; thirteen unassociated pins. 1.7 kg total, bottle: 26.5 cm
From the private collection of a London, UK, gentleman.
Witch bottles were a response to the common belief in witchcraft, which was feared in the Puritan culture of those times. The process involved heating the victim’s urine in a bottle, mixed with human hair and metal nails and pins, sometimes inserted into a cloth panel representing the victim's heart. The bottle was then either buried under the hearth of a house (East Anglian tradition) or thrown into a river (London tradition). The heating of the bottle was supposed to transfer to the body of the witch who had caused the victim to be afflicted. -
Tudor Silver-Gilt Clothes Hook Fastener
16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Comprising three domes decorated with filigree surrounding a central pellet, hook to the reverse. 3.06 grams, 22 mm
From the private collection of the late Graham Slater (1927-2024), Cambridge, UK, acquired 1980s-1990s. -
Framed German Expedition to China Medal Certificate
1901 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Certificate of participation in the German expedition against China, dated 17th September 1901, issued to Karl Rennebaum and stamped by the 'Kaiserliche Marine'; in glazed wooden frame. 831 grams total, 38.5 x 31 cm
From the private collection of author and historian Dr DeWitt Bailey; thence by descent to his grandson.