Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1561

Iron Age Celtic Sandstone Head

CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D. OR LATER

8 1/4 in. (2.47 kg total, 21 cm including stand).

Sturdy carved stone head with almond-shaped face, incised disc eyes and slotted mouth, rectangular brow; mounted on a custom-made display stand. [No Reserve]

Provenance

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.

Literature

Cf. Jackson, S., Celtic and Other Stone Heads, Shipley, 1973, item 56, for type.

Footnotes

The cult of the human head was prevalent in the Celtic world, being associated with warding-off evil spirits and bearing of good luck.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1561

Iron Age Celtic Sandstone Head

Sold for (Inc. bp): £572

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • The Kilburn Iron Age Celtic Bovine Bowl Mount
    'The Kilburn' Iron Age Celtic Bovine Bowl Mount
    Circa 100 B.C.-300 A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820

    A substantial head with a convex front and concave back with a loop above, pierced eye sockets to accept glass inserts with one in situ; large projecting horns curving forwards in front of the ears; remains of two ferrous rivets to the reverse. 80.8 grams, 68 mm



    Found whilst searching with a metal detector near North Yorkshire, UK, in 3 August 2020, by Mark Didlick. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.YORYM-76CAE2.

    Lot Details

  • European Iron Age Celtic Bronze Torc
    European Iron Age Celtic Bronze Torc
    Circa 3rd-2nd century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £234

    The penannular body formed with graduated biconical bulbs, recurved tapering terminals. 275 grams, 14.5 cm



    Ex old English collection. London art market, 1980s.

    Lot Details

  • Iron Age Celtic Bronze Vessel Handle
    Iron Age Celtic Bronze Vessel Handle
    1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £156

    Formed as a double-coiled ribbed bar with leaf-shaped attachment panel bearing low-relief La Tène style scrolled ornament; mounted on a custom-made stand. 372 grams total, 17.5 cm including stand



    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.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list