Post Medieval Bronze Belt Mount Collection

Miniature of the 'Moscow Cannon' or 'Tsar Cannon', located in the Kremlin; on a wheeled carriage with lion-mask, rampant lion among tendrils and other detailing; pile of cannonballs to the base with 'paving stones' effect and Cyrillic text to one angle; original cast in 1586 by Russian master bronze caster Andrey Chokhov, it is a significant monument of Russian artillery and a major tourist attraction. 3.49 kg, 24.1 cm wide



From the private collection of a S.W. London gentleman, acquired in the 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The original cannon was put into service in 1586 by Tsar Feodor I Ioannovich, son of Ivan IV. It weighed 39.31 tons and had a length of 5.34 metres, an internal diameter of 89 cm, and an external diameter of 1.2 metres. It was the largest cannon in the world of its time. The Tsar Cannon was never used in war, but was likely intended as a display of military might from the beginning. Some researchers argue that this cannon could not fire its two-ton projectiles but its purpose was to fire stone shrapnel. The cannon is adorned with reliefs, including one of Tsar Feodor on a horse. The original wooden gun carriage was built in the early 19th century, but was destroyed by fire in 1812; the present gun carriage and projectiles were added in 1835.

Modelled in the round as a heraldic lion with all four legs splayed, tail looped to form a handle; socket and drip-tray supported in the lion's mouth. 354 grams, 10.9 cm



Found hidden in a barn at Scarlet's Farm, Cambridgeshire, UK. Property of an East Anglia private collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Vesica-shaped diptych with standing nimbate Mary and child; openwork panel with mail-clad knight wearing a plumed helmet; believed to be by William Smith and Charles Eaton, 'dated' 1006 A.D. 241 grams total, 16 cm



Received from the curator of Leeds Museum by descent, circa mid 1980s. Ex property of a Yorkshire lady. From the private collection of a Cheshire, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

"Billy and Charlies", also known as the Shadwell forgeries, refer to a very extensive series of fake antiquities made in Victorian London by William Smith (Billy) and Charles Eaton (Charley). They were mudlarks who searched the Thames for items of value. William Edwards, a London antique dealer, made Billy's acquaintance around 1845, and he met Charley some years later. He paid them for items of interest that they found. Billy and Charley earned money from this until 1857, when they decided to counterfeit antiquities. They cast objects from lead or pewter, cutting dies into plaster of Paris moulds with nails and knives, and bathing the finished items in acid to simulate aging. Their commonest products were medallions, but others included daggers, statuettes, ampullae and even small shrines; as they were both illiterate the inscriptions on many of the objects are nonsense. They sold their forgeries to very prominent collectors of the time who thought they were genuine. Eventually, due to the large volume of objects that were appearing on the market, they were arrested and tried at court though they could not be found guilty of any crime at the time. They were released and carried on producing fakes but their style of manufacture had become well known and they eventually disappeared from history.