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_900x900.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
_200x200.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
_900x900.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
_200x200.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
LOT 2163
Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head
19TH CENTURY A.D.
8 in. (810 grams total, 20.5 cm including stand).
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. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Post Medieval Silver Snuff Box Set with Agate Intaglio of Saint Jerome
Italy, 16th-17th century A.D.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £600
Decorated with a repeating motif of acanthus leaves and facing masks of Bacchus; lid of set with an agate intaglio of Saint Jerome kneeling before a crucifix within a rope-twist and dog's tooth border, surrounded by leafy swags on a pounced field; old collector's label 'Walecki Collection 207006' to inner lid. 52.7 grams, 53 mm
Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market. -
Post Medieval Mirror with Centaur 'Kitovras'
16th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Discoid with ribbed border and central raised pellet, motif of a winged centaur holding a square shield and a staff(?), foliage motif to the background; pierced three times to the rim. 153 grams, 10.1 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
This version of a centaur was known as ‘kitovras’, an old Russian version of the word ‘kentauros’. He is typically portrayed with the body of a horse and the torso and head of a man, often featuring prominent wings and wearing armour. Kitovras is best known from a legend, ‘The Tale of Solomon and Kitovras’, in which he is tricked into building the temple for King Solomon. While held in captivity, Kitovras tells Solomon how to obtain the stone needed to build the temple and stays with him through its completion. When Solomon doubts Kitovras’ strength, Kitovras throws him to the edge of the Promised Land, but the king eventually returns and takes back the throne. -
Dutch Erotic Bronze Box Inlay
17th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Discoid in plan with low-relief scene of two lovers, bed and chamber-pot. 8.42 grams, 26 mm
Ex private UK collection. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.
