Iron Age Celtic Sandstone Hammer Stone

Modelled in the round in a sturdy pose with fierce facial features and prominent ridge of bristles to the spine, stub tail; mounted on a custom-made stand. 231 grams, 68 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

The small statuettes of boars found in the Roman Britain and in the Roman Gaul, were likely used as dedicatory ex-votos, votive figurines for the cult places. They were widespread in the Roman provinces of Celtic origin. However, one cannot exclude the fact that many boars found in Britain belong to the pre-conquest British figurines. One of the few types of bronze figurines that are known to precede the arrival of the Romans is in fact that of the boars.

Sceptre head or other fitting with biconvex flange, domed finial. 46.7 grams, 34 mm



Found UK. From the collection of a Yorkshire gentleman. Property of a private collector, West London, UK.

Twenty or so 'horn caps' are known in museums and private collections, all have been found in Britain and mostly in Southern England. Their exact function is unclear; early suggestions that they are axle fittings for chariots no longer holds weight. The shaft hole is too small and they do not appear in grave contexts containing chariots. A more likely hypothesis is that they were ceremonial, possibly a staff head or chair or saddle finial.

Comprising a deep ribbed bow with a returned foot, short catchplate below; round-section pin with a flat-section extension forming the other side of the 'pincer' head. 7.09 grams, 64 mm



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