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Click here to subscribe18th century A.D. or earlier. A hollow-formed bronze head from a statue of a Vajimukha wearing a tiered crown with notched brim and dentilled detailing, scrolled locks behind the ears. 2.09 kg, 17 cm high (6 5/8 in). Acquired 1955-1985. Private collection of Eric Saunders, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Private collection of an East Sussex gentleman. The head may be from a figure of Kalkin, an avatar of Vishnu, or yaksa or kimnara. Fine condition.
Han or Eastern Zhou Dynasty, 334 B.C.-220 A.D. A flat-section bronze annular chariot fitting comprising two profile serpent masks with open mouths connected to openwork bands with interstitial domes. 822 grams, 20 cm wide (7 7/8 in). Acquired in the late 1990s. Property of a London gentleman. Fair condition.
8th-7th century B.C. A Urartian or Assyrian helmet raised from a single bronze sheet, decorated with three circumferential raised ribs above the brim alternating with incised volutes forming a decorative chain around the helmet; a raised vertical rib with a lion's head terminal to the front of the helmet, flanked by six arched ribs each with an animal-head terminal formed as a snake, a ram and a bull; beneath the raised brows an incised worshipping scene with two crowned kings (or a king and a prince) with their hands raised in attitude of worship; the left hand figure with two eunuchs behind him, each armed with a bow, arrows and a long sword; the right hand figure preceded by a tall winged god, possibly Shivini-Shamash, and followed by a dignitary armed with a long sword, a winged genii to each side; the central scene is the meeting point of a long procession incised around the rim of the helmet, consisting of royal attendants dressed in long Assyrian costume and carrying gifts such as cattle, gold, clothing and wine; the rim with pierced holes for fastening of leather lining and cheek-pieces; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. Barnett, R.D., Watson, W., ‘Russian Excavations in Armenia’ in Iraq, vol.14, no.2, fig.15, and pls.XXXII,2, XXXIII,2; Borchardt, J.,Homerische Helme: Helmenformen der Ág?is in ihren Beziehungen zu orientalischen und europäischen Helmen in der Bronze-und frühen Eisenzeit, Mainz, 1972, pp.103ff., fig.9, p.107, 10-12, p.108; pl.34,4; Born, H., Seidl, U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995, pp.90, 94, 107ff., pp.174-175, pls.I, IX, X-XI (AG 168, 385); Dezs?, T., Oriental Influence in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, Helmet traditions in the 9th-7th Centuries B.C.: the Patterns of Orientalisation (British Archaeological Reports, S691), Oxford, 1998; Christie’s,The art of the warfare, the Axel Guttmann collection, Part II, Wednesday 28 April 2004, London, 2004, pp.38-39 no.39; Gorelik, M.,Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003) in Russian, pl.LXI nn.88-89-90; Castelluccia, M., ‘Urartian Metalwork in Caucasian Graves’ in Makalatia, S., Studies in Caucasian Archaeology, Tblisi, 2014, fig.3; see Christie's, 5 June 2014, lot 54; see also Christie's, 14 April 2011, lot 330. 1.04 kg, 28.6 cm high (2.35 kg total, 45 cm including stand) (11 1/4 in. (17 3/4 in). Previously in a private family collection, kept in the UK since the 1960s. London art market, acquired from the above. Private UK collection, acquired from the above 20th June 2017. Accompanied by an archaeological report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate number S00126093, dated 18 July 2017. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11170-187280. The motif of the three animal’s heads is visible in helmets from royal graves (bronze helmet from the ‘Royal Burial’ of Lori-Berd, Armenia). Also the helmet with the Sarduri inscription shows a broad frieze of chariots and ritual scenes protected by lion heads. Dezs? proposed various possibilities for the significance of the curved crooks or snakes on front of these helmets, the main ones being of apotropaic significance or simply being used to frame the scene below. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Fine condition. A large heavily decorated museum-quality example.
8th-7th century B.C. A broad conical bronze helmet, hammered from a single metal sheet, the front with a raised abstract linear motif, four circumferential ribs above the brim, the arched ribs on the front with round terminals, flanking a central rib running down from the apex of the helmet with a stylised animal head(?); pierced holes to the sides for fastening a leather lining and cheek-pieces; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. Barnett, R.D., Watson, W., ‘Russian Excavations in Armenia’ in Iraq, vol.14, no.2, Autumn, 1952, pp.132-147, pl.32, no.2; Borchardt, J.,Homerische Helme: Helmenformen der Ág?is in ihren Beziehungen zu orientalischen und europäischen Helmen in der Bronze-und frühen Eisenzeit, Mainz, 1972, pp.103ff.; Born H., Seidl, U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995, pp.90, 94, 107ff., pp.174-175, pls.I and IX, X-XI (AG 168, 385); Christie’s, The art of the warfare, the Axel Guttmann collection, Part I, Wednesday 6 November 2002, London, 2002, no.11 p.18; Christie’s, The art of the warfare, the Axel Guttmann collection, Part II, Wednesday 28 April 2004, London, 2004, pp.32-33; Dezs?, T., Near Eastern Helmets of the Iron Age, (British Archaeological Reports,S992), Oxford, 2001; Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003) in Russian, pl.LXI, nn.88-89-90; see Christie's, 5 June 2014, lot 54; see also Christie's, 14 April 2011, lot 330. 735 grams, 33.7 cm high (2.6 kg, 54 cm including stand) (21 1/4 in). Acquired before 1972. Formerly with a central London gallery. Property of a London gentleman. Accompanied by an archaeological report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11189-186652. Our helmet presents strong similarity with a specimen from Kurdistan, North of Kirmanshah and South of Saqqiz (Borchard, 1972, fig.9, p.107), and could be collocated in the type III of the Urartian helmets according the classification of Borchard. This category is oriented towards the shape of the various Assyrian spiked helmets, and in fact Barrett and Watson classified these helmets as of Assyrian type (Barnett & Watson, 1952, p.143). In the 8th and especially in the 7th century B.C., spheroconical helmets of Assyrian type spread to Urartu and are archaeologically represented by a large quantity of specimens (Gorelik, 2003, Pl. LXI, 77, 85-92). Sometimes they differ from the Assyrian ones having an exaggeratedly long top. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Fine condition.
Late 2nd-early 1st millennium B.C. A complete Elamite or Assyrian chariot wheel rim, comprising six large bronze C-section wheel clamps, each clamp with three pairs of lateral lugs and attachment rivets for insertion over the wooden wheel and three pairs of inward facing rivetted double tabs; mounted on a wooden replica spoked wheel. See Stillmann N. & Tallis N., Armies of the Ancient Near East, 3000 BC to 539 BC, Worthing, 1984; Emiliozzi, A., Carri da Guerra e principi etruschi (War chariots and Etruscan princes, in Italian), Roma, 1999, pp.5ff.; Caubet, A. & Yon, M., ‘Pommeaux de chars, du Levant à la Mésopotamie et à l’Élam’, in Études Mésopotamiennes: Recueil de Textes Offert à Jean-Louis Huot, Paris, 2001, pp.69-78; Gökce, B., 'On Urartian Chariots' in Veldmeijer, A.J. & Ikram, S., Chasing Chariot/Proceedings of the First ?nternational Chariot Conference (Cairo, 2012), Cairo, 2013, pp.107-122; a similar wheel in the National Museum of Iran in Tehran, and was excavated from Choqa Zanbil, an ancient Elamite site in Khuzestan province of Iran. 6.6 kg total, 80 cm wide (31 1/2 in). UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. Accompanied by an archaeological expertise by Dr. Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11259-189515. In Mesopotamia and other regions of the Near East, the chariot was preceded by vehicles with disc wheels, with two or four wheels, pulled by a pair of donkeys or mules. The light, two-wheeled, horse-drawn chariot with spoked wheels was introduced into the Levant early in the 2nd millennium B.C. (Caubet and Yon, 2001, p.71), and from there the Canaanites (“Hyksos”) brought it to Egypt. Five innovations gave the chariot its superiority: the spoked wheels, exclusive use of traction by horses, the creation of the horse bit, the use of the bow as a primary weapon associated with the chariot and the proportions suitable for a couple of passengers standing side by side on the chariot’s platform. In 7th century B.C., the Elamite chariots were drawn by two or four mules or small horses. The crew consisted of a driver and up to three archers, who sat or knelt on the platform which was covered in a reed maat. Fine condition.
8th-7th century B.C. A broad hammered bronze cuirass or belt decorated in chased low relief; ornamented with clusters of raised bosses in four horizontal bands; the terminals formed from large rectangular plaques cut from another armour, decorated with foliage ornaments and three lions standing in profile, each panel fitted with a fastening ring; the edges of the belt with regularly disposed holes for fastening to the leather lining; mounted on a custom-made frame. See Esayan, S.A., ‘?????????? VI-V ??. ?? ?. ?. ? ????? ????????? (Burials of the 6th-5th centuries B.C. in the mountains of Shamshadin’ in ?? (Sovietskaya Archeologjia - Archaeology of the Soviet Union), 1965; Esayan, S.A., 'Gürtelbleche der Älteren Eisenzeit in Armenien' in Beiträge zur allgemeinen und vergleichenden Archäologie, vol.6, pp.97-198, pls.8 & 25, nos.25 and 26 (belts from Golovino); Born H., Seidl, U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995, AG 230, 231; Gorelik, M.,Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003) in Russian, pl.LXI, nn.88-89-90. 554 grams, 78mm wide (3 1/8 in). Acquired on the London art market, 1994. Property of a North London gentleman. Accompanied by an archaeological report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. The belt-cuirass preserves a decoration substantially identical to various complete and fragmentary belts from the collection of Caucasian and Urartian items preserved in the Rezan Has Muzesi of Istanbul. According to Gorelik, by comparison with some armour-belts, especially the ones with the same pattern from Tigranakert (2003, pl.LIX, no.8) the employment of such belts lasted at least until the 7th century BC. Protective belts in the Caucasus were very popular, especially among Urartians. The early examples of such armoured belts appeared in Middle East, at the beginning of the first millennium BC, introducing an original fixing system on the waist, instead of the simple ties: a hook was first sewn separately to one end of the belt, and later became part of a massive bronze buckle furnished with a rectangular ring. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Fair condition, repaired.
9th-6th century B.C. A bronze discoid shield boss with raised and domed centre, repoussè border with later added eagles; central perforation for attachment to a shield. See Godard, A., Les Bronzes du Luristan, Paris, 1931, pl.XXV, no.75, for a decorated umbo of the same typology; Haerink, E., Overlaet, B., Jaffar-Mohammadi, Z., 'Finds from Khatunban B., Badavar Valley (Luristan), in the Iran Bastan Museum, Teheran' in Iranica Antiqua, vol.XXXIX, 2004, pp.105-168; pl.2. 164 grams, 15 cm wide (5 7/8 in). UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. Quivers and shields in Luristan, were made from hammered metal. Recent excavations of Luristan burials in Khatunban have evidenced bronze embossed umbos with similar diameters. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
13th-9th century B.C. A bronze short sword with double-edged blade, pronounced central rib and square shoulders, the square section hilt ending in an openwork ribbed crescent. Cf. MacGregor, A., Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of the Lord McAlpine of West Green, Ashmolean Museum, 1987, no.17.32. 520 grams, 49 cm (19 1/4 in). Earlier 20th century Cologne collection, Germany. London Mayfair gallery, UK. Dr D.G. collection, 1990s-2019. Accompanied by an old typed catalogue slip with provenance. The art of Luristan can be described as the art of nomadic herdsmen and horsemen with an emphasis on the crafting of small, easily portable objects, among these a number of bronze daggers, swords and other weapons. According to Moorey and Khorasani, daggers were edged weapons not greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) were between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords were edged weapons greater than 50cm in length. Our weapon is between these last two categories. Fine condition.
10th-8th century B.C. A bronze dirk with broad triangular blade, flanged hilt for the insert of a wood or bone inlay, hilt with expanded guard and crescent-shaped pommel. Cf. Mac Gregor, A., Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of the Lord MacAlpine of West Green, Ashmolean Museum, 1987, no.17.30; see also Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, item 7. 270 grams, 30.2 cm (11 7/8 in). Earlier 20th century collection. London Mayfair gallery, UK. Dr D.G. collection, 1990s-2019. Accompanied by an old typed catalogue slip. This type of dirk belongs to the type I of Medvedskaya classification (Khorasani, 2002, p.378) and is very common among daggers and dirks attributed to Luristan. According to Moorey, this type was widely used in Western Iran since the 13th century B.C. and remained in use at least until the 9th century B.C. Fine condition.
14th-9th century B.C. A bronze dagger with double-edged blade and pronounced central rib, the hilt ending in a wide crescent-shaped pommel with four grooves on the handle, oval-shaped guard embracing the blade and the central rib. Cf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, items 39-43. 496 grams, 40.5 cm (16 in). Earlier 20th century Cologne collection, Germany. London Mayfair gallery, UK. Dr D.G. collection, 1990s-2019. Accompanied by an old typed catalogue slip with provenance. Similar swords were excavated in the royal cemetery of Marlik, and are preserved in the National Museum of Iran, Tehran. They are usually characterised by the separate sets of encircling ribs on the grip. Moorey stated that these dirks were produced in Marlik and exported to Mesopotamia; he dated them back to the second millennium B.C. Fine condition.
3rd millennium B.C. A bronze dagger with leaf-shaped blade, marked narrow central midrib with a separate cast-hilt, gently curved guard and ovoid pommel decorated in relief with bosses and ridged lines. Cf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, item 2. 195 grams, 26.7 cm (10 1/2 in). Earlier 20th century collection. London Mayfair gallery, UK. Dr D.G. collection, 1990s-2019. According to Moorey, the technical analysis of one of these daggers revealed arsenic copper-alloy, indication of an earlier date. This is why many scholars date them to 3rd millennium B.C., attributing them to the Elamite or Luristan culture. The cast was made separately from the blade, the two parts were then rivetted together. Fine condition.
Late 2nd-early 1st millennium B.C. A substantial bronze halberd-shaped axehead with long, narrow, subtriangular blade projecting from a flange, cutaway section at the base and a knob formed as a griffin head at the top of the flange, the shaft with five projecting ribs; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. Cf. Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, p.98, fig.161. 540 grams, 31.5 cm long (872 grams total, 38 cm high including stand) (12 3/8 in. (15 in). Acquired in Iran 1967. Property of a central London gentleman. This axe type is known from an example excavated in Marlik from Dr.Negahban in grave 26, and another from Kurvin. Various examples, held in in private collections, also have an animal head added to the outside of the blade. The cutaway and knob were intended to hold organic thongs that helped secure the blade to the shaft. Fine condition.
Early 2nd millennium B.C. A bronze mace head comprising a long cylindrical shaft with narrow flanged base, the upper section with three vertical relief panels decorated by herringbone pattern, divided and bordered by three parallel ridges, similar band with ridged horizontal grooves around the base. See Godard, A., Les Bronzes du Luristan, Paris, 1931, pl.XIX, no.58, for a similar mace; see also Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, p.24, nos.18-19; Khorasani, M. M., 'Bronze and iron weapons from Luristan' in Antiguo Oriente: Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Historia del Antiguo Oriente, 7, 2009, fig.8. 452 grams, 24 cm (9 1/2 in). Earlier 20th century collection. London Mayfair gallery, UK. Dr D.G. collection, 1990s-2019. This gorz mace belongs to the category of truncheon-shaped mace-heads, a type of mace developed on the Iranian plateau during the Bronze Age, used by Elamite and Luristan warriors since the 3rd millennium B.C. Fine condition.
8th-7th century B.C. An iron dagger with a tapering double-edged blade with a raised three-row median ridge, the wide and flat hilt with bronze cap and lower guard, the handle with nine pierced concentric circles in two rows on bronze; accompanied by a bronze chape with paddle-shaped foot. Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003 (in Russian), see pl.VIII, nos.7 and 10, for similar daggers from the burial ground in Kislovodsk. 207 grams total, 7-34.5 cm long (2 3/4 - 13 1/2 in). Private collection of Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, 1990s. Property of a London businessman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11202-186233. The Cimmerian dagger, of type Kabardino-Pjatigorsk, belongs geographically to the Northern Black Sea area. These weapons are considered by scholars like Gorelik, as daggers of North-Caucasus 'Cimmerian' type of the North Caucasus, usually with iron blades and bronze hilts and chape, and the characteristic of having one of the ends of the cross-guard with holes for hanging. These blades with triangular cross-guards, widely spread in the second half of the 8th - the first half of the 7th century B.C., developed according to Gorelik and other scholars, in the cross-guards of the Scythian-Iranian bladed weapons. [2] Fine condition.
7th century B.C. A bronze dagger with a triangular decoration on the handle, the oval openwork pommel showing two facing mountain goats each with a single stylised horn; the short guard decorated differently on either side. See for Altai daggers of this typology Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003 (in Russian), see pl.VIII, nos.45,46,55, from Khakassia, the Basin of Minusinsk and Biysk (Altai). 81 grams, 23.5cm long (9 1/4 in). Private collection of Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, 1990s. Property of a London businessman. During the 7th-4th centuries B.C. the steppe people living beyond the borders of China created glorious nomadic cultures, including that of the Scythians along the Pontic area, the Sauro-Sarmatian culture in the Volga-South Ural region, the Saka culture in Kazakhstan, the Tagar culture in the Minusinsk Basin, the nomadic people in Altai and Tuva and the Slab Grave culture in Mongolia. Mountain goats with unnaturally elongated and dramatically curved horns are typical of the art of the Altai Nomads, or Eastern Scythians. Fine condition.
24th-21st century B.C. and later. A mixed group of Bronze Age artefacts previously on loan to the Museum of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK, displayed to the public until 2021; most accompanied by PAS reports, comprising: a Chalcolithic flat-section tanged copper dagger with roughly triangular-shaped head, bevelled edges and rectangular tang with rounded end; a Chalcolithic oval-shaped riveting tool with plano-convex cross-section, c.2450-2150 B.C.; a possible fish hook composed of a curled, round-section body, one end tapering to a point, the other with a flared and flattened terminal, c.2400-450 B.C.; a Chalcolithic oval-shaped riveting tool with plano-convex cross-section, c.2450-2150 B.C.; a Chalcolithic or early Bronze Age copper 'cake' with an irregular circumference and roughly lentoid cross-section with reddish-brown inclusions; c.2450-2150 B.C.; a wrought copper 'cake' with an irregular circumference and roughly plano-convex cross-section; reddish-brown inclusions, c.2450-2150 B.C.; a group comprising: a bracelet or torc fragment with square-section body; a toggle or clothing fastener with bar and two domed terminals; a possible terret ring; three rings of various sizes and cross-sections; a lozengiform belt fitting composed of four conjoined roundels with central domes, two openwork triangles, attachment lug to reverse, all dated c.1150-300 B.C.; an 'early' Middle Bronze Age looped and socketted spearhead of Group 1 type, composed of a leaf-shaped head with raised mid rib to both faces extending from the round-section socket, with slender loop to either side; clear re-sharpening marks to the edges of the wings, c.1600-1400 B.C. 4.2-275 grams, 40 mm-11.1 cm (1 1/2-4 3/8 in). Found by John Harrison whilst searching with a metal detector on 15 February 2009 in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, UK. Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) and accompanied by PAS report numbers: LANCUM-3BEC10; LANCUM-FD2034; LANCUM-8D57C1; LANCUM-1F3187; LANCUM-0BADC6; LANCUM-93AB32; LANCUM-1E7BE6; LANCUM-8CCE11; LANCUM-8D1241. Accompanied by copies of email correspondence with various experts assessing the attribution of the item. Accompanied by a copy of the museum loan agreement and signed return of loan document (insured for £2,000). Accompanied by a press cutting in which the dagger is reported and photographed, in The Westmorland Gazette, Historian unearths rare 4,500-year-old dagger, 24 September 2009, p.5. Of the tanged dagger, the accompanying PAS report states that this is 'An extremely rare and important' find. 'Most examples occur in early Beaker 'Classic' grave assemblages associated with low-carinated Beakers, wrist guards, etc.The hilt plate would have been of organic material, probably wood, horn or antler.' Other PAS reports delve into greater depth about each individual item. [No Reserve] Fine condition. Extremely rare and important (dagger).
2nd millennium B.C. A bronze dagger with a slender leaf-shaped blade pierced with eight attachment holes for the organic bone or wooden handle. Cf. Sandars, N.K., Bronze Age Cultures in France, the later phases from the thirteenth to the seventh century B.C., Cambridge, 1957, fig.20, p.87. 178 grams, 29 cm (11 1/2 in). Acquired late 19th century. Private collection, Liverpool, UK. Ex Helios Gallery Antiquities, Wiltshire, UK. Accompanied by a Helios Gallery certificate of authenticity. The dagger is typical Northern European type from the 2nd millennium to the 1st millennium B.C. The typology seems possibly related to the French Variant type 3 of the Rixheim bronze age swords, considering the absence of tang and the presence of more than the usual two holes for the fastening of the organic hilt. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
14th-mid 12th century B.C. A substantial bronze palstave axehead from the Manston hoard pit deposit, triangular flanges rise from the butt to the stop bar; a hollow to both faces below the septum; narrow body expanding to a wide triangular blade with slight flare at the tips. See Evans, J., The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1881, pp.76-84 and figs.56-68, for similar types. See Portable Antiquities Scheme, reference PAS KENT-495597, for this find. 447 grams, 17 cm (6 3/4 in). Found near Manston, Kent, UK, 2016. Accompanied by copies of the British Museum PAS report number KENT-495597. Accompanied by Treasure Act documentation under Treasure Reference 2016 T618. A rare opportunity to acquire a scarce type of British Bronze Age axe from a recorded treasure hoard, this specimen being one of the best examples in this Middle Bronze Age hoard from England. At Manston was found a hoard of 10 copper alloy palstave axeheads, in one spot, described as 'one hole' and therefore possibly a pit deposit. A similar hoard of palstaves was also found in the immediate vicinity by the same finder at a later date, see PAS KENT-593613. Fine condition.
c.14th-12th century B.C. A large bronze palstave with pronounced stop ridges, flaring cheeks and convex cutting edge, raised flanges to the edges of the head, central ridge to each side of the blade. 511 grams, 17 cm (6 3/4 in). Lord McAlpine collection, 1994-2000. John Cummings Antiquities, Grantham Lincolnshire, UK. Dr D.G. collection, 2000-2019. Accompanied by an old typed catalogue slip with provenance. Fine condition.
14th-12th century B.C. A bronze axehead with raised sides on both faces to receive a handle, D-shaped cutting edge and rectangular butt. Cf. similar specimens in Kostrzewski, J., The Prehistory of Polish Pomerania, Torun, 1936, fig. 13, p.37; Novotna, M., Die Äxte und Beile in der Slowakei, Prähistorische Bronzefunde, Abteilung IX, Bd.3, Munich, 1970, pl.47. 491 grams, 17 cm (6 3/4 in). Private collection, 1950s. Ex Gorny and Mosch, Munich, Germany, 18 December 2009, lot 463 (Part). The Lusatian Culture (1300–500 BC) is a Late Bronze Age culture, located in the geographic areas of Eastern Germany (Saxony and Brandenburg), Slovakia and Poland and the Baltic countries, and characterised by cremation burials. The dead were buried with their personal equipment. Men were provided with weapons (comprising sword, dagger, axe and spearhead) and ornaments (usually a pin or bracelet). Very fine condition.
14th-12th century B.C. A bronze axehead with raised sides on both faces to receive a handle, D-shaped cutting edge and rectangular butt. Cf. similar specimens in Kostrzewski, J., The Prehistory of Polish Pomerania, Torun, 1936, fig. 13, p.37; Novotna, M., Die Äxte und Beile in der Slowakei, Prähistorische Bronzefunde, Abteilung IX, Bd.3, Munich, 1970, pl.47. 487 grams, 16.7 cm (6 1/2 in). Private collection, 1950s. Ex Gorny and Mosch, Munich, Germany, 18 December 2009, lot 463 (Part). The Lusatian Culture (1300–500 BC) is a Late Bronze Age culture, located in the geographic areas of Eastern Germany (Saxony and Brandenburg), Slovakia and Poland and the Baltic countries, and characterised by cremation burials. The dead were buried with their personal equipment. Men were provided with weapons (comprising sword, dagger, axe and spearhead) and ornaments (usually a pin or bracelet). Very fine condition.
14th-12th century B.C. A bronze axehead with raised sides on both faces to receive a handle, D-shaped cutting edge and rectangular butt with rectangular indentation. Cf. similar specimens in Kostrzewski, J., The Prehistory of Polish Pomerania, Torun, 1936, fig.13, p.37; Novotna, M., Die Äxte und Beile in der Slowakei, Prähistorische Bronzefunde, Abteilung IX, Bd.3, Munich, 1970, pl.47. 517 grams, 16.8 cm (6 5/8 in). Private collection, 1950s. Ex Gorny and Mosch, Munich, Germany, 18 December 2009, lot 463 (Part). The Lusatian Culture (1300–500 B.C.) is a Late Bronze Age culture, located in the geographic areas of Eastern Germany (Saxony and Brandenburg), Slovakia and Poland and the Baltic countries, and characterised by cremation burials. The dead were buried with their personal equipment. Men were provided with weapons (comprising sword, dagger, axe and spearhead) and ornaments (usually a pin or bracelet). Very fine condition.
2nd century B.C.-2nd century A.D. A bronze statuette modelled as a stylised naked male figure, standing with one arm outstretched before him, one raised, detailing to face and genitals; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 23.2 grams, 63 mm (35.11 grams total, 77 mm including stand) (2 1/2 - 3 in). Acquired 1990s-2000s. Ex A. Garcia collection, France. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
6th-7th century A.D. A bronze bowl mount comprising a discoid body, scrolled tail and arched neck; the 'head' split at the forward end to accept the rim of the vessel, of which a fragment is held in place by the stub of an integral pin; the head and neck with a panel of reserved guilloche ornament on a red enamel field; the body a gently curved discoid panel with reserved Ultimate La Tène comma-leaf decoration, symmetrically disposed on a field of red enamel, with pins to the shoulders; the integral tail a D-shaped panel with reserved scrolls on a red enamel field. Cf. Bruce-Mitford, R., The Corpus of Late Celtic Hanging Bowls, Oxford, 2005, corpus no.96 (Seagry, Wiltshire), for similar profile and decoration. 6.19 grams, 44 mm (1 3/4 in). Found while searching with a metal detector near Feltwell, Norfolk, UK, 1998. Property of a Norfolk gentleman. Accompanied by a detailed report by Anglo-Saxon specialist Stephen Pollington. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11190-187995. Bowl mounts of this type with reserved La Tène ornament are found on hanging bowls mainly in 6th-7th century Anglo-Saxon princely or royal burials. They probably formed part of the so-called 'economy of prestige' in which decorative high-status tableware and feasting equipment circulated among the leading families of the various British and Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. A number of these items have been found in 7th century burial mounds such as Sutton Hoo (Suffolk), Prittlewell (Essex) and Benty Grange (Derbyshire). The decoration and manufacturing techniques suggest an origin among the late Romano-British groups of western and northern Britain. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Very fine 'as found' condition. Extremely rare type of museum quality.
c.11th century A.D. A bronze strap fitting with swivel and pierced tag; the body barrel-shaped, hollow to the underside with an internal socket, rounded lip to the rim; tapering body with high-relief decoration, including hares and a pair of birds with long necks each looped over a curved tendril; gussetted transverse band and rectangular lobe with transverse slot and two piercings for attachment to a (leather) strap. See Hammond, B., British Artefacts vol.3 - Late Saxon, Late Viking & Norman, Witham, 2013 items 1.13-n, o, p, s, for the type of object. Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme under reference DUR-603351. 34.2 grams, 41 mm high (55 grams total, 75 x 53 mm including box) (1 5/8 in. (3 x 2 in). Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, UK, on 26 May 2021. Accompanied by a copy of Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report number DUR-603351. The fitting clearly forms one element in a swivelling junction possibly from a horse-harness. The hollow body, which originally contained ferrous remains, was designed to accept the iron pin of a corresponding tag. The upper lobe was designed to accept the end of a leather or textile strap, rivetted through the paired holes. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Fine condition.
11th century A.D. A gilt-bronze disc brooch, the face with high-relief Winchester Style acanthus-leaf ornament and scrolls; catch and remains of pin-lug to the reverse. Cf. similar brooch with openwork motifs in the British Museum, London; accession ref. 2020,8004.1-6 (part). 6.35 grams, 31 mm (1 1/4 in). Found Cambridgeshire, UK. Fine condition, chipped.
5th-7th century A.D. A gold coin pendant formed from a Pseudo-Imperial, uncertain Germanic tribes gold quinarius of the late 3rd-early 4th century A.D. with: Obv: EANOV PI INO AVG legend with E sideways (for ANTONEINOC AVG?) with laureate bust right. Rev: OXPWMEN legend above lion walking left; EVTVXI in exergue; legends blundered, with ribbed suspension loop affixed. See Sergeev 225 corrigenda (same dies, but described as a panther); see Triton XIX (2016) sale lot 599 (same dies, but misdated and the reverse legend misinterpreted); see the Aurum Barbarorum Collection, sold Leu (Zürich), October 2021 (same dies, with similar suspension). 2.90 grams, 17 mm (3/4 in). Ex UK private collection. Andrei Sergeev, in Barbarian Coins on the Territory between the Balkans and Central Asia - Catalog of Andrei Sergeev's Collection at the State Historical Museum, Moscow, 2012, says '.In the light of recent research, we know that it is certainly part of the Aurum Barbarorum from north of the Danube. This situates the coin in a very specific historical background and dates it to the late 3rd and early 4th century.' The design type is likely to be derived from copying Roman Provincial bronze issues; one of the more probable prototypes was issued at Nicopolis ad Istrum in the reign of Elagabalus (see Varbanov I, 3858). It has a very similar head with Elagabalus' typical large eye on the obverse and an almost identical lion walking to the left on the reverse. Fine condition.
8th-9th century A.D. A large, gilt-bronze spherical pin head, richly ornamented with filigree scroll work panels and raised lozengiform cells inset with red and green glass, four to the equator and one to the top, a cross-shaped cell with rounded arms also set with glass enclosing the socket to the base; hollow-form; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. Cf. West, S., A Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Finds From Suffolk, East Anglian Archaeology 84, Ipswich, 1998, item 11.3, from Brandon. 8.85 grams, excluding stand, 25 mm diameter (3/4 in). Collection of Alan Harrison, UK. Dix Noonan Webb 22 June 2011, lot 1382. Property of a West London collector. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
6th century A.D. A bronze bow brooch with rectangular headplate and three D-section ribbed knops, chamfered bow with pierced lappets below and ribbed foot terminating in two large pierced roundels, likely a horsehead design; remains of pin lug and catchplate to reverse. Cf. MacGregor, A. & Bolick, E., A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non-Ferrous Metals), Oxford, 1993, item 12.18, for similar. 63.1 grams, 12 cm (4 3/4 in). Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection (part 3), Essex, UK. [No Reserve] Fine condition, repaired.
7th-8th century A.D. A bronze box brooch, discoid in plan with slightly tapering sidewall; the upper face with reserved cross on a pounced field, four slightly raised lugs to the rim and central boss; the sidewall with pounced panels; hollow to the reverse with catchplate and pin-lugs. Cf. box brooches in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, in MacGregor, A. et al., A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections, Oxford, 1997, item 1.2; Arwidsson, G. Valsgärde 7, Uppsala, 1977. 47.9 grams, 47 mm wide (1 7/8 in). Collection formed in the 2000s. Property of an English gentleman. [No Reserve] Fair condition; hole to upper face and small break to sidewall.
9th-10th century A.D. A bronze hollow-formed boar-head brooch with domed upper face, two small lug ears, underside with central void, pin-lugs, pin and catch; remains of raised linear detailing. Cf. animal-head brooches in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, in MacGregor, A. et al., A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections, Oxford, 1997, item 3.10. 45.9 grams, 47 mm wide (1 7/8 in). Collection formed in the 2000s. Property of an English gentleman. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
11th century A.D. A bronze Anglo-Scandinavian stirrup mount of Williams's Class A Type 6 with D-shaped body, suspension loop formed as a beast-head in plan, plaque with sinuous tendrils and ribs-and-pelvis motif, remains of ledge to the reverse. Cf. Williams, D., Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts, York, 1997, item 112. 32.2 grams, 50 mm (2 in). Found Norfolk, UK, before 2001. Private collection of Mr M.H., Norfolk, UK. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
11th century A.D. A bronze stirrup mount of Williams's Type 2B comprising a heater-shaped plaque with trilobe finial pierced for attachment, low-relief design of addorsed animals extending to the frame, shallow ledge to the reverse, two holes for attachment rivets. Cf. Williams, D., Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts, York, 1997, item 67, for type. 21.1 grams, 49 mm high (1 7/8 in). Found Essex, 1996. Property of a Sussex gentleman. Fine condition.
8th-9th century A.D. A gilt bronze radiate-head brooch comprising: D-shaped headplate with seven radiating ribbed lobes, panel of coiled tendrils, ribbed bow flanked by ribbed bosses, two similar flanking the footplate, lobed finial with facing mask; pin-lug to the reverse and transverse catch; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 35.1 grams excluding stand, 76 mm (3 in). UK collection, acquired 1980s. Property of a West London collector. [No Reserve] [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Fine condition.
Late 14th century A.D. A bronze architectural censer formed as a waisted font with gabled and pieced cover held by pierced lugs to the angles. 1.3 kg, 23 cm high (9 in). Collection privée de brives la gaillarde SVV Prunier. Ex central London gallery. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11266-189582. [No Reserve] [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Fine condition.
c.1400 A.D. A gilt-bronze ciborium with hinged spherical body and conical finial imitating the spire of a church, trace remnant of the former cross once surmounting the ciborium to the top; tall knobbed stem with polylobed base supported by three later crouching lions. Cf. a similar ciborium from Lower Saxony in the Metropolitan Museum, accession number 1983.410; for the discussion on such religious artworks see Sam Fogg, Treasury Objects of Middle Ages, 24 June-30 July 2021, London, 2021. 856 grams, 30.5 cm high (12 in). Frits Philips, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; his sale, Sotheby's Amsterdam, 4 December 2006, lot 347. Accompanied by a previous Sotheby's lot tag. Accompanied by an archaeological report by Dr. Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11216-188582. A ciborium is a covered container that holds the consecrated bred used in the Catholic Christian ritual of Holy Eucharist and is one of the most significant of all liturgical vessels. The simply and elegantly designed ciborium relates it to the Gothic metal workers of Lower Saxony from the early 15th century. It is unclear whether our structure was intended as a monstrance, typically used to display the Host on the altar and during processions, as a ciborium (Latin for a covered receptacle or cup), in which the Host was contained without being visible, or as a reliquary for the safeguarding of holy relics; the German term for ciboria, Speisekelch or ‘food chalice’, reveals the connection between ciboria and chalices and points more to the second possibility. [No Reserve] [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Fine condition.
14th century A.D. A very large bronze chess piece seal matrix with facetted trumpet-shaped body, pierced trefoil knop finial, small dimple to the upper face for alignment; outer ring of Lombardic text '* hVnDR DE tOttEnORE' for 'Hundred of Totnore' and two lines of abbreviated text to the centre 'co[m]itat’ svssex [county of Sussex]'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. Cf. Linenthal, R. & Noel, W., Medieval Seal Matrices in the Schøyen Collection, Oslo, 2004, pl.XXVII (367), for type. 34.4 grams, 37 mm high (1 1/2 in). Found by a farmer on his land 'eyes only', in Sellindge, Kent, UK, circa 1992. The Hundred of Totnore in the Rape of Pevensey, Sussex appears with the spelling Tottenore in the Rotuli Hundredorum of 1272 and the name means Totta's Bank. Very fine condition. Excessively rare with text at centre.
14th-15th century A.D. A bronze chessman seal matrix with pierced trilobe finial, ribbed collar, facetted trumpet-shaped shank with incuse 'star' locator above the rim; intaglio design of a heater shield with mural crown above, initials 'R T' flanking in hatched spandrels; the arms a fess fretty between in chief three ravens and pellets, in base a chevron bendy between two 'W' and a trefoil slipped; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. See Harvey, P.D.A. & McGuinness, A., A Guide to British Medieval Seals, London, 1996, for discussion. 17.8 grams, 32 mm high (1 1/4 in). Found West Sussex, 1993. Property of a Sussex gentleman. Supplied with previous illustrated cataloguing pages. It is suggested that the arms are those of the Towers family, due to the mural crown crest and the initials 'R T'. Fine condition.
7th century B.C. A pair of hands from a funerary figure, each formed from a hammered bronze sheet with elongated slender fingers, long thumbs curving outwards, with folded tubular sheet for the forearms. Cf. Torelli, M., Gli Etruschi, Monza, 2000, p.125 and pp.568-569, fig.81, nos.24-25, a pair of hands from the tomb of the Bronze Chariot of Vulci, Necropolis of the Osteria, today at the Museum of Villa Giulia, Rome, inv. nos.84865-84868; cf. also Falconi Amorelli, M.T., ‘Corredi di tre tombe rinvenute a Vulci nella necropoli di Mandrione di Cavalupo’ in Studi Etruschi, XXXVII, 1969, pp.181-211; Cristofani, M., I bronzi degli Etruschi (Etruscan bronzes, in Italian), Novara, 1985; Emiliozzi, A., Carri da Guerra e principi etruschi (War chariots and Etruscan princes, in Italian), Roma, 1999, pp.139ff., fig.2. 155 grams total, 22.5-23.5 cm (8 7/8 - 9 1/4 in). Japanese gentleman, c.1980. Property of a London gentleman. Accompanied by an archaeological report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11166-188053. On the floor of the sepulchral room, where the Bronze Chariot of Vulci was found, a number of other objects were recovered, including two pairs of bronze hands. Bracelets with a similar diameter to the smaller hands were also recovered, together with other personal items. When composed together, these items formed schematic human figures: a parabátes (or lord owner of the tomb) and his charioteer. It is highly probable that the two figures were recreated in the tomb, and the hands with smaller dimensions were placed in correlation with a bronze head, creating a figure with a wooden body that was placed near the back wall of the tomb. The hands with bigger dimensions were paired with similar but richer ornaments, probably re-creating the main figure of the owner of the tomb. These kind of fittings are not common (other examples in Cristofani, 1985, p.288) and some of them were also made in ivory (Falconi Amorelli, 1969, pp.205-211, six ivory fingers, pl.XXXIX, b, fig.11,5). It is highly probable that our pair of hands came from a similar grave, and the lack of decoration, as well as the small dimensions, could support the theory that they belonged to a junior character in the grave. [2] [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Fine condition.
5th-4th century B.C. A bronze mirror composed of a discoid head and handle with rectangular-section upper body, collar and round-section lower body; one face with ring-and-dot motifs, central entwined knot and meander border, interlace design to the stem. Cf. Congdon, O.K., 'Greek Mirrors' in Notes in the History of Art, Vol. 4, No. 2/3 (Winter/Spring 1985), pp.19-25, fig.4, for a similar mirror (without handle) having similar decorative patterns. 263 grams, 23.2 cm (9 1/8 in). UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. The bronze mirrors conferred elite status on their owners, a status couched in terms of feminine beauty. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
4th-2nd century B.C. A bronze statuette of a priestess modelled in the half-round, wearing a loosely draped sleeveless tunic, fastened at the shoulders to form a V-shaped neckline, girdled high under the breasts; her head adorned by a tall three-point diadem, with a large patera in left hand and pyxis in right hand; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. See Brendel, Etruscan Art, p.422, for parallels in the mid second century terracotta sarcophagus of Seianti Thanunia Tlesnasa from Chiusi, now in the British Museum; the diadem in her hair shares similar three-point attributes to the exaggerated diadem on our statuette; the dress is Greek with the tunic (chiton) characteristic of Etruscan and Latin votive bronzes at the same time; see parallel from the Museo archeologico di Verona, Inv. A4,376, published as no.37 in Franzoni, Bronzetti etruschi e italici del museo archeologico di Verona, p.56; this complete example at 7.5cm is of interest as it has a distinct fold across the dress that corresponds to the break on this example; Franzoni notes a bronze from Chiusi of similar type (referenced in St. Etr. XXV, 1957, p.503, fig. 25). 46 grams, 67 mm (121 grams total, 11.3 cm including stand) (2 1/2 in. (4 1/2 in). Estate of American sculptor, Eleanor Mary Mellon (1894–1979), New York, USA. Myers Fine Art & Antiques, Florida, European & Asian Antiques & Fine Art Auction, on 10 February 2013. Ancient Resource, California, USA, July 2014, item 2147. Private Australian collection. Accompanied by an illustrated two page collector's cataloguing document. Accompanied by a copy of a certificate of authenticity from Gabriel Vandervort of Ancient Resources and a copy of the Myers listing. The patera is a sacrificial saucer-shaped vessel for pouring a libation to the gods or for receiving a libation; the pyxis a cylindrical box for incense with separate lid and somewhat concave walls. For a larger (25.4 cm), highly detailed statuette of this type, including the attributes in her hands, see the second century B.C. statuette in the British Museum that was acquired in 1913 said to be from the Sanctuary of Diana at Nemi (BM No. 1913,0529.1). This type takes many forms; for example, see complete example with a radiant stephane (10.16 cm high) in the British Museum donated by Canon Luc Angelo Bracci in 1856 and said to be from Orvieto (museum number 1856,0815.3; Walters, Catalogue of the Bronzes in the British Museum. Greek, Roman & Etruscan, no.693). Variants include the himation draped towards the other direction: refer Turfa, J. M. and Muskett, G., Catalogue of Etruscan Objects in World Museum, Liverpool (No. B 104, Inv.M8833, p.103). For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price Fine condition.
5th-3rd century B.C. A bronze figure modelled in the round as a standing ram with thick fleece, short tail, tightly curled horns and semi-naturalistic facial detailing; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 100 grams total, 55 mm high including stand (2 1/8 in). German art market before 2000. With a European gentleman living in the UK. Property of a Surrey gentleman. Fine condition.
7th-6th century B.C. A cross-shaped bronze quiver cover with schematic bird heads at the ends; three figures of contorted beasts worked in relief and another one within a circle at the centre, a band of triangles at the base. Cf. Artamanov, M.I., Treasures from the Scythian Tombs, London, 1969, fig.34, from Olbia; Polidovych, Yu. B., ‘Scythian cross-shaped pendants’ in Russian, in ??????????, 1, 2000, pp.35-48; Hellmuth, A., ‘Zur Datierung der kreuzförmigen Goryt und Bogen-taschenbeschläge’, in Prähistorische Zeitschrift, 82, 2007, pp.66-84; Patay, R., Scholtz, R., Scard, A., ‘Scythian Age quiver mount from the outskirts of Gyömr? (Hungary)’ in Studia Historica Nitriensia, Supplementum, Nitra, 2017, pp.469-480, pl.II. 114 grams, 11.3 cm high (4 1/2 in). German art market, 1990s. Mr A.H., a North American collector living in the UK. Accompanied by an archaeological report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11231-189037. The Scythians typically employed representations of eagles or lions as decorative motifs on their military items. In the Eurasian Steppes, stories of bird wives have been recorded, and many shamans identified themselves strongly with birds. Their relations with bird spirits were often conceived as a love affair of sorts. These cruciform plaques, used most probably for quiver attachments, could be regarded as typical objects of the Olbian manufacture. However, this kind of quiver attachments were found in various Scythian barrows, in Hungary, Romania, and other Caucasian and East-European regions. In particular the most comparable specimen with our plaque is a plate from Arma?oaia (Romania). [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Very fine condition.
2nd-4th century A.D. An important free-standing bronze figure of a philosopher, modelled in the round seated and robed on a roughly rectangular base, the body delineated by its folds, feet protruding from beneath the hem, head tilted backwards slightly, face bearded and moustachioed, full head of textured hair, possibly plaited from a central point above the nape of the neck, with stylised detailing to the eyes, slender arched brows and nose, possibly wearing a torc or other form of neck ornament or collar; lower down on the reverse it is apparent that the figure has been formed seated on a stool or small chair, indicated by a transverse rib with knopped terminals and legs; the head is disproportionately large in comparison to the rest of the body, and the folds of the clothing are not continued on the reverse of the figure. Cf. Richter, G.M.A., Portraits of the Greeks, Volume 2, London, 1965, pp.194-200, figs.1149-2225; cf. Kaufmann-Heinimann, A., Die Roemischen bronzen der Schweiz 1 Augst, Mainz, 1977, p.80 and Taf 88. no.82; cf. Faider-Feytmans, G., Les Bronzes Romains de Belgique, Mainz, 1979, pp.89-90, no.82, pl.56; cf. Wightmann, E.M. Roman Trier and the Treviri, London, 1970, pl.14a, p.150; cf. Boucher, S., Recherches sur les bronzes figures de gaule pre-romaine et romaine, 1976, p.169 and pl.64, no.306. Treasure Hunting Magazine, A Hobby of True Discovery, May 2022, p.41-43. 98.5 grams, 62.5 mm high, 24 mm wide (2 1/2 in). Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Everleigh, Wiltshire, UK, on 10th August 2021, by Christopher Phillips. Accompanied by a copy of the Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.WILT-81FA47. Accompanied by a copy of the three page Treasure Hunting Magazine article where this item has been published. Accompanied by a two page typed letter from the finder explaining the circumstances of finding and several copies of photographs taken when the object was discovered. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11206-186806. The object is complete. However, it may once have formed part of a more complex object, or served as a finial. The Portable Antiquities report states: 'No direct parallel has been found. The seated pose is reminiscent of the Greek philosopher statues, eg Epicurus. The head is reminiscent of representations of Celtic figures, with the almond shaped eyes supporting this idea. The hair, moustache and beard are very particular, generally reminiscent of Celtic figures and may represent Sucellus, a Celtic deity who is sometimes represented with extravagant curls on his head, together with beard and with an animal skin tied around his neck, or with a torc. However, associated with agriculture and wine, Sucellus is usually depicted with an olla (jar or small cooking pot) which are not represented in this instance, so it seems unlikely to be him.' The PAS report goes on to state: '.Rev Professor Martin Henig.suggests an Epicurean or indeed possibly Epicurus himself as the model here. 'If a philosopher, with all that hair/beard and looking at Richter, Portraits of the Greeks, it could just be Epicurus, though of course, a very local version.Whether regarded as Epicurus or a generic philosopher by the owner it again like so much else speaks to a rather sophisticated culture rather than the back of beyond.More to the point may be a bronze found in Augst, Switzerland, Insula 31 in 1963.It depicts a bearded seated philosopher, more scraggy than ours, upper part of body nude, probably here a stoic.' Professor Henig also suggests the figure could represent a school teacher: 'The figure I was thinking of, like the schoolmaster on the Neumagen relief is a bronze from Nismes (Namur) in Belgium.It depicts a man clad in what looks like a Gallic cloak seated on a basket chair. One hand is pointing in an expressive way as though teaching.only a light beard.' Sucellus was also considered a candidate by Martin Henig: 'There is a bronze of the god Sucellus wearing a paenula.but he is standing. But I think a school teacher/ philosopher so more interest in learning.' [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Very fine condition. Rare and of national significance.
2nd century A.D. A bronze fragment of left arm from a life-size statue of a youthful figure, comprising the left hand with two slightly folded surviving fingers and straight thumb, and majority of the forearm and wrist; detailing to the nails. Cf. Russell, M., ‘Farewell two arms: a Roman bronze body part from Halnaker, West Sussex’ in Sussex Archaeological collections, 157, 2019, pp.125-132, for similar fragment. 840 grams, 35.5 cm (14 in). Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. For Greeks and Romans, bronze was the preferred material for dedicatory sculpture. Bronze was used to create figures in elaborate poses due to its high tensile strength. Life-sized statues were usually fashioned using the lost-wax casting technique, with multiple sections soldered together to create a single artwork. The position of the finger in our bronze seems to indicate the presence of a staff or spear passing through the two holes formed by the thumb and the little finger. It is possible that the arm came from a statue of a young emperor, or from the statue of armed goddess Pallas Athena, holding a spear. [No Reserve] [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Fine condition, fragmentary but with no signs of restoration.
3rd-4th century A.D. A bronze statuette modelled as the god Mercury standing nude with the exception of a mantle wrapped around his shoulders, exposing his muscular torso, short hair and semi-naturalistic facial detailing, holding a coin purse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 193 grams total, 84 mm high including stand (3 1/4 in). German art market before 2000. With a European gentleman living in the UK. Property of a Surrey gentleman. Fine condition.
2nd-3rd century A.D. A bronze statuette of a bawling goose with spread wings, long neck and open beak, standing on a rectangular pedestal. Cf. for small statuettes of birds Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, items 268ff., for comparable examples. 48.3 grams, 52 mm wide (2 in). German art market, 1990s. Mr A.H., a North American collector living in the UK. Geese were animals sacred to Juno. Their representation in the Roman art is linked to the legendary episode of the capitol geese. The Gauls of Brennus in 396 B.C. were besieging Rome and were looking for a way to breach the Capitoline hill. One night, the Celts were about to be able to enter with a silent attack. Legend said that the geese, the only animals that survived the hunger of the besieged because they were sacred to Juno, began to squawk loudly, warning the former Consul Marcus Manlius and the besieged Romans of the danger, allowing them to defend themselves against the enemy. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
2nd-3rd century A.D. A bronze mount formed as the bust of Eros, with broad neck, shoulders and chest, elaborately dressed hair and stern expression to the face; pierced both sides of the nape for attachment; mounted on a tiered custom-made stand. 443 grams total, 95 mm including stand (3 3/4 in). Ex Abelita family collection, 1970s-2000s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
1st-2nd century A.D. A bronze lamp with elongated body, a long splayed and fluked nozzle with rounded tip and circular wick hole; flat rim around the body and the nozzle; D-section handle curving forward from the rear and terminating in a tragic theatrical mask with a palmette below the mask, the hair dressed in stylised ringlets, two raised cones on the brow and a wig with tripartite horns pointing backwards; raised basal ring. See Boucher, S., Inventaire des Collections Publiques Françaises - 17 Vienne: Bronzes Antiques, Paris, 1971, fig.401; Bailey, D.M., A catalogue of the lamps in the British Museum, IV, Lamps of metal and stone, and lampstands, London, 1996, no.Q3669, for similar. 622 grams, 19 cm long (7 1/2 in). German art market before 2000. With a European gentleman living in the UK. Property of a Surrey gentleman. The lamp belongs to the typology of the elongated lamps with splayed and fluked nozzles. Single-stemmed lamps of this category often terminate with a tragic mask motif. Various examples came from all corners of the Roman Empire, although the quality of the work points towards a South-Italic or even Roman workshop. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Fine condition.
3rd-4th century A.D. A knife composed of an iron blade with one curved cutting edge, a round-section collared handle terminating with the head of the goddess Minerva, modelled in the round with semi-naturalistic detailing to the face, wearing a diadem and crested helmet. Cf. similar to a knife with helmetted finial in Alexandrova, S. & Dermendzhiev, E., 'Three iron knives from the Early Byzantine Fortress on the Hill Devingrad in Veliko Turnovo' (in Bulgarian) in Yotov, V. (ed.), Acta Musei Varnensis I, Weapons and Military Equipment during the Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, 4th-15th centuries, Varna 14-16 September 2000, Varna, 2002, pp.59-62, fig.1. 130 grams, 27 cm (10 1/2 in). European private collection, 1970-1980s. London, UK, late 1990s. This well known typology of Roman military knives (culter) comprises a bronze shaft usually with a head of a warrior or military divinity wearing a helmet. This type was used over a long period: three knives discovered in Bulgaria have been dated back to 5th-7th centuries A.D. on the basis of excavation works in the fortress of Devingrad. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
4th-5th century A.D. A suite of bronze military belt mounts comprising: twelve 'propeller' mounts with incised concentric rings; two rectangular mounts with one thick ribbed edge, incised triangles and ring-and-dot motifs; a strap end with volute scrolled openwork panel, D-shaped finial with concentric rings, rectangular plate with fixing holes; buckle comprising a square plate with incised concentric rings, loop with confronted horse-head ornament. Cf. Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., Roman Military Equipment From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome, London, 1993, figs.141, 142. 255 grams total, 55-74 mm (2 1/8 - 2 7/8 in). Acquired from Munich, Germany, late 1990s. Property of an East London gentleman. [16] Fine condition.
2nd century A.D. A bronze triangular diploma fragment, possibly of Hadrianic period with six lines of partial text on the extrinsecus, and six lines of partial text on the intus; the extrinsecus, reading: 'EOR[VM] CIVITA[TEM DEDIT ET CONNVBIVM CVM VXORIBUS QUAS TVNC] HABVISSENT [CVM EST CIVITAS IIS DATA AUT SIQVI CAELIBES] ESSENT CUM [IIS QVAS POSTEA DVXISSENT DVM TAXAT SINGVLI] SINGV[LAS] and the intus reading 'T / II H / NIDAC / R III IN/LINO FILII/NT INR Q'. See Balbo, M., ‘Diploma militare di Adriano’ in Pantò, G., Carlo Alberto archeologo in Sardegna, Torino, 2016, pp.153-156; Opreanu, C.H., ‘A new military diploma recently found at Parolissum (Dacia Porolissensis)’ in Ephemeris Napocensis, February 2021, pp.295-308. 6.83 grams, 38 mm (1 1/2 in). German art market before 2000. With a European gentleman living in the UK. Property of a Surrey gentleman. The style of writing and the comparison with diplomas of the time of the Emperor Hadrian allows a partial reconstruction of the external part. The diploma gives 'HONESTA MISSIO' (honourable discharge) and Roman citizenship to the veterans of an unknown unit (auxiliary Ala or Cohors) also granting them permission to marry. The text of the internal side should report the dating, and the names of the soldiers and witnesses. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
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