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LOT 0391
Neoclassical Agate Gemstone of a Late Roman Emperor
ITALY, 17TH-18TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (1.75 grams, 21 mm).
Intaglio profile bust with heavy jewelled diadem to the brow, ties to the rear, mantle clasped at the shoulder with a small disc brooch; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
ProvenancePrivate English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s.
Private collection, London, UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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Tudor Bronze Clothes Hook Fastener Group
16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
A mixed group of hooked fasteners including disc-shaped, leaf-shaped, shell and foliage plaque; each with suspension lug. 18.87 grams total, 31-56 mm
From the private collection of the late Graham Slater (1927-2024), Cambridge, UK, acquired 1980s-1990s. -
Original Timber Removed from HMS Victory in 1888 with Provenance Letter
Letter dated 5th June 1888 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Irregular fragment of timber, supplied with a handwritten provenance letter with wax seal; the letter states: 'Parish of Sidlow Bures Manor. Know all men, and if ladies particularly, by these presents, that of the fifth day of April 1888 the undersigned Poulteney Bigelow did in the company with an officer of H.M Service secure the accompanying piece of timber belonging to the ever famous frigate Victory, the same that fought at Trafalgar and received the precious life blood of the immortal Nelson on the 21st of October 1805. This piece of timber was cut out of the Hull of the Victory while undergoing repairs on the dry dock of Portsmouth. It is herewith presented to Miss Mabel Nicholson as a precious heirloom for distant generations of such as may love liberty and cherish the memory of valiant men. Witness the annexed signature seal, Poulteney Bigelow, Bures Manor, June 5 1888.' 141 grams total, 15.6-26.5 cm
From the collection of a Sussex noble lady, by descent from 1888, directly from the gifting of the item, as stated in the letter.
The HMS Victory underwent various refits throughout her long service, but a significant one occurred in 1888, when she was converted for use as a training ship. This refit included modifications to her structure and interior to accommodate her new role, although she was primarily preserved as a historic vessel. The hull and internal structures were reinforced to address wear and tear from years of service. The HMS Victory is currently the oldest British naval vessel still in commission, with 248 years of service as of 2026. -
Post Medieval Stained and Natural Wooden Gaming Pieces
Southern Germany, Nuremberg, 18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Turned wooden counters in natural and dark-stained versions; some of the darker type with the bust of a Holy Roman Emperor to one face and a prospect of a city (Vienna, Danzig, etc.), as well as comic figures and scenes; the lighter group with similar motifs as well as hunting and other scenes. 320 grams total, 51 mm each
Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.
Similar game pieces are often signed ‘PHM’ for Philipp Heinrich Müller (1654-1719). There are eleven stained pear wood pieces and ten natural pear-wood pieces. The game pieces are decorated with busts, commemorative medals, cities, figural scenes including interiors, daily life and great battles, German / Austrian cities and figures from the engravings of Jacques Callot (1592-1635).
