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LOT 2043
Polished Imperial Porphyry Specimen from the Grand Tour
LATE 19TH-EARLY 20TH CENTURY A.D.
8 5/8 in. (3.12 kg, 21.9 cm).
Irregular piriform block with polished surface, one flat face.
ProvenanceEx Robert Evans collection, circa 2000.
From the private collection of a Somerset gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2043
Polished Imperial Porphyry Specimen from the Grand Tour
Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
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Post Medieval Figural Coquilla Pipe
French Colonies, 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
Bowl formed as a jester head with prominent hooked nose and insert glass eyes, smoking a cigar, wearing a crown and prominent necklace, removable cylindrical cap to the top of the head; ascending stem with ribbed bottom and everted flat rim at the back. 177 grams, 15.5 cm
Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market. -
Bronze Seal Matrix with Emperor Charles IV
18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Discoid in plan with pierced flange handle to reverse; incuse image of a facing enthroned monarch with orb and sceptre in his hands, crown topped by a cross, two heater shields to the sides, on with a lion rampant and the other with a spread eagle; legend 'MIE.REZ', 'ET. BOE'; outer band with Lombardic legend 'AVGVSTVS. KAROLVS . QVARTVS . DIVINAE.FAVENTE . MEME[...]' referring to Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. 143 grams, 62 mm
Private collection, UK. -
Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
An imitation shrunken head modelled from leather with applied hair, moustache, eyebrows and eyelashes; pierced through the lips and ears; set in a later glass dome with base. 810 grams total, 20.5 cm including stand
Acquired Mellors & Kirk, circa 2019. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.
The Victorian ‘freak show’ played a significant role in mid- and late-nineteenth century popular culture, enjoyed by everyone regardless of their class. Such shows, which often travelled the country, were presented to the public as entertaining and educational, offering the opportunity to learn about anatomy and the ‘realities’ of people from foreign lands. The real 'shrunken heads', known as tsantsas, were carefully preserved, severed human heads that were used by the Jivaroan people of the Amazon as war trophies, for ceremonial purposes, or to intimidate enemies.
