Romano-British Celtic Bronze Pig

Decorated with two opposed crescent moons (found frequently on the early gold coins of the Catuvellauni, e.g. ABC 2442, 2445, 2508, 2511, 2514, 2550-74). 21 grams, 33 mm



Found Buckinghamshire, UK. Ex Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s. Collection number CE18. Accompanied by a Chris Rudd information card.

Chris Rudd has collected ancient coins and antiquities since the 1940s. As an amateur archaeologist he found many himself at Badbury Rings, Dorset, 1952-53. He also dug at Hod Hill with Professor Sir Ian Richmond and at Wroxeter with Dame Kathleen Kenyon and Dr Graham Webster. Today he is best known as a Celtic coin dealer. His catalogues have been described as ‘an important research source’ by Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe and ‘treasure houses of delight’ by Dr Anne Ross. Coins and artefacts associated with Chris Rudd – as a collector, dealer and valuer – can be seen in The British Museum and other museums. This collection was formed since the 1970s.

Formed as a facetted cross, each arm terminating in a human mask with helical projection to each temple; the masks depicting a triangular face with lentoid eyes and close-fitting cap; to the reverse, a substantial pin and catchplate; complete. 19 grams, 36 mm



Found Ringstead, Norfolk, UK, 1989. Acquired late 1980s-early 1990s. Private collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.

Of tripartite form, comprising: the handle, the main mirror plate and tubular binding edge; the reverse of the mirror plate with traces of volute and spiral decoration, once covering the entire surface, thick applied border; separate handle comprising three fastening lobes and three openwork rings forming the grip, possibly a marriage. 355 grams, 27 cm



Private collection since the late 1990s. Property of an English collector. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.10603-174116.

Such mirrors were a unique product of the Celts in Britain, during a period between 300 B.C. and 100 A.D., when they were buried in the graves of queens, high-born princesses and other noblewomen, or in treasure hoards. The majority of these graves are dated between 100 B.C. and 100 A.D. Most of the specimens come from Britain (Desborough, Oxfordshire, Old Warden, Shillington, Trelan Bahow, Mayer mirrors), and a few were found in the nearby regions of France or the Low Countries (e.g. the Dordrecht mirror).