Victoria and St George's Rifles Challenge Shield

With expanding shoulders, scrolled outline to the plaque, hinged folding tube below the central panel. 7.49 grams, 22.28 mm overall, 18.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)



From the private collection of N.Thomas, 1979-1987. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12481-229481. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Shallow silver-plated outer case with lateral drop handles and lipped lid with impressed '2' to rim, bae with incised heraldic motif of a dragon crest beneath a coronet within a buckled garter and motto 'Ung Je Servirai' (I will serve only one); two base metal dishes with ropework borders inside. 1.42 kg, 23 cm



From Highclere Castle from the 1950s onwards. Acquired from Newbury Antique Emporium. Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The motto is that of the Fitzherbert family, the Earls of Carnarvon. Probably the best-known bearer of that title is George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon (1866 -1923), who financed the exploratory excavations of Howard Carter which resulted in the discovery and publication of the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamen in the 1920s. On 19 March 1923, Carnarvon contracted blood poisoning after accidentally shaving a mosquito bite infected with erysipelas. He died a few days later on 5 April, in the Continental-Savoy Hotel in Cairo. This unexpected and untimely death gave rise to the story of the 'Curse of the Mummy'. He is buried in a tomb at Beacon Hill, Hampshire and the family lives in Highclere Castle nearby. Highclere is the location chosen for the filming of the BBC drama series 'Downton Abbey'.

Including a crouching female with hands supporting her breasts, and other types. 177 grams total, 10-12.7 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.