Silver-Coloured Metal Rings with Calligraphic Gems

Intaglio engraved with satyr playing aulos behind a tall column with statue on the top, a woman in long robe and satyr standing in front of an altar; set into a later gold ring with hoop formed from three round-section wires holding an oval bezel; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.36 grams, 25.97 mm overall, 19.15 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

With slender shank, loop bow, bit with cruciform ward; possibly from a church or other large door. 116 grams, 20 cm



From the collection of a Buckinghamshire, UK, collection established from the earlier 1960s.

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.