Romano-Celtic Bronze Cheek Piece

With slightly tapering socket and openwork bulb above, discoid platform supporting a mounted warrior modelled in the round; horse with long vertical tail and horizontal reins, bowed legs and scrolls at the hooves; warrior astride the horse with legs bent and feet to the rear, helmet with lateral horns and large swept crest with notched edge; arms bent to show the warrior in the act of drawing his falcata sword from the scabbard worn across his midriff; mounted on a custom-made stand. 152 grams total, 18.2 cm high including stand



Ex Axel Guttmann collection. Accompanied by a copy of an old photograph showing this item on display in a display cabinet within the Guttmann Museum.

The horseman's pose with his legs bent and feet held towards the rear would have been necessary before the introduction of stirrups in the early medieval period. The horse appears to sport a disc between its ears, possibly part of the bridle.

Possibly the end-panel of a wooden casket, with champ levé enamel scrolls flanking a central palmette within a rectilinear border; Chris Rudd says: 'The S-shaped scroll either side of the central palmette motif is reminiscent of the S-shaped scrolls seen on Lindsey Scyphate gold quarter staters (ABC 1770, 1773), struck by the Corieltavi, close neighbours of the Brigantes.' 37.7 grams, 57 mm



Found North Yorkshire, UK. Ex Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s. Collection number CE26. 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.

Modelled in the round standing on a polygonal base, semi-naturalistic detailing to the head, coat and mane. 54 grams, 53 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.