Neoclassical Gemstone Plaque

A silver shoe buckle with articulate tongue, set with cut jewels. 33 grams, 57.5 mm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

An acephalic clay chess piece representing a Bishop, with detailing to his robes and their voluminous sleeves. 18.1 grams, 45 mm high



Found on the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.

A pair of carved porphyry vases modelled on the famous 2nd century A.D. Roman Warwick Vase with Bacchic ornament, beading and egg-and-dart ornament around the rim, foliate vines below with both handles formed from two entwined vines, the body displaying a frieze of male and female masks modelled naturalistically in high relief, leaves radiating upwards from the centre base; each created in two parts and accompanied by a marble plinth; probably re-used ancient stone. 10.7 kg total, 29.5 cm wide each



English private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11684-199805.

The original vase was reputedly discovered at Hadrian's Villa, in Tivoli, Italy in 1771 A.D.; now in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow, Scotland. The vase is not entirely reconstructed from original elements but incorporates the restorer's interpretation of how missing elements of the vase likely appeared. The original vase was named after the 2nd Earl of Warwick who acquired it from his uncle, Sir William Hamilton, in c.1775.