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Lot 239
Circa 800 – 1000 BC. A collection of bronze horse harness attachments owned by a cavalier. The set includes various buckles, appliques with decorative motifs, thirteen circular appliques which would likely have formulated a decorative harness on the neck of the horse, and a selection of appliques for attachment to the horse. Fine condition. The Koban culture was a late Bronze Age and Iron Age culture in Northern and Central Caucasus. It is preceded by the Colchian culture of the Western Caucasus and the Kharachoi culture further east. Koban culture is named after the village of Koban, in Northern Ossetia, where in 1869 battle-axes, daggers, decorative items and other objects were discovered in a kurgan. Later, further sides were uncovered finding an array of beautiful artefacts opening our understanding of the culture. Size: L:Set of 23; 50-100mm / W:50-130mm ; 1.8kg. Provenance: Collection of Mr. C. Chase formed in the 1920s -1940s.
Lot 314
Circa 100 AD A very rare hand forged iron pugio with a wide blade flaring at the end where the handle would have met the blade. The long tang once inserted into either a wooden, ivory, bone, or bronze handle. This is a rare and beautiful object, due to its iron content, the majority of these were lost to oxidation. The pugio was the famous dagger that was used slay Julius Caesar on the infamous Ides of March in 44 BC. The pugio was the standard military sidearm of the Roman legionary. Although arms and weaponry were stored collectively within a century, they belonged to the soldier individually. For similar see: Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N. Roman Military Equipment from the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome, London, 1993. Size: L:265mm / W:54mm ; 115g. Provenance: Property of a gentleman from Vienna; from his private collection formed since 1970.
Lot 76
Late Bronze Age, circa 1450-1200 BC. A large, handsome pottery tankard with a bulbous lower body, small flared round foot, and tapering cylindrical upper body/neck that terminates in a thick, overhung rim. A strap handle with an abstract lip. For similar example but smaller see The British Museum Accession Number: 1897,0401.1206Size: L:215mm / W:105mm ; 430gProvenance: Property of a UK Ancient Art Gallery, formerly in the Estate of Sanford Batkin, New Rochelle, NY., acquired from J. Zadok & Son, Jerusalem, Israel. 9/11/1986; formerly Barakat Antiquities and Art Gallery, Jerusalem, 12/13/1989.
Lot 13
Circa 400 BC. The central omphalos surrounded by eighteen petals alternating with eighteen tear-shaped lobes of a lotus flower. The exterior with eighteen petals in relief. Libation bowls, known as phiale, were used across a wide geographical area - from Greece to Tibet, throughout the ancient Near East and Central Asia. These shallow bowls for holding wine in ritual and ceremonial settings were made from many materials - glass, ceramic, and many kinds of metal. Royal vessels were made of precious metals, like this one. They functioned both as tableware and as wealth - they could be stored in the royal treasury or given as gifts to people they were hoping to influence. Cf. Mahboubian, Art of Ancient Iran: Copper and Bronze, London, 1997, no.321, p.246; also the type is found in Greek phialai such as the example from Asia Minor, now in Berlin, cf. Strong, D. E., Greek and Roman Silver Plate, New York, 1966, pl.9A.Size: L:135mm / W:50mm ; 70gProvenance: From the collection of a London gentleman; formerly acquired in early 2000s in Belgium; previously in 1970s European collection.
Lot 236
Circa 100-300 AD A folding iron chair formed of Iron made for a commander (Sella Castrensis) in the Roman legion; composed of two folding frame which are lavishly decorated with inlays of bronze The supporting sides of both frames and upper edges have rectangular profile, all other sides are of circular cross-section, thickening slightly around the rectangular profile. The chair is decorated throughout with chevron pattern also referred to as herringbone patterns. A later leather seat added. See bibliography: Susanne Stöckl, Ein eiserner Klappstuhl der Völkerwanderungszeit im Landesmuseum Joanneum, Schild von Steier 20, 2007, pp. 27 - 42, on a similar chair on display in the Landesmuseum Joanneum Graz. The army of ancient Rome (800 BC – AD 476) was a formidable fighting power. It was exceptionally well disciplined, organised and supplied with a huge selection of effective and battle-proven weapons. The sword and spear were the infantryman’s main weapons, and the spectacular military successes of the Roman legions throughout Europe and the Middle East lay in the disciplined battlefield application and relentless training in the use of these weapons. Size: L:670mm / W:480mm ; 7kg. From a private collection; previously bought from private collection Edward Bunter in 2017; previously acquired from ancient art dealer in London in 1969.
Lot 213
Circa 550 – 300 BC. A very expressive form of bronze helmet of Chalcidian type. Crown domed with a mask-like front featuring high-arched eyebrows, the eyes have been carefully cut out. The round sections are each accentuated with a separately applied moulded band. A short tear-drop shaped nose guard is reaching down, moveable cheek guards are hinged on the sides, rounded, and tapering towards the chin allowing binding. Museum Quality helmet with fantastic patina; Intact; on custom stand. Chalcidian helmets are named after similar helmets depicted on pottery vases from the Euboean city of Chalcis. This type of ancient Greek helmet was a lighter and less restrictive form of the Corinthian helmet. The hinged cheek pieces were anatomically formed to fit closely to the face and tended to curve upward towards the eye, where large circular openings provided a wider field of view than the Corinthian helmets. By the time of Alexander the Great the helmet was still worn by soldiers, most notably the hoplites, the heavy infantrymen who carried long spears; the helmet would later go on to develop into the Attic helmet which is iconic of Classical soldiers. For more example of Chalcidian helmets, see Everson, T. (2004). Warfare in Ancient Greece: arms and armour from the heroes of Homer to Alexander the Great. The History Press, 116-124. Size: L:260mm / W:230mm ; 565g. Provenance: From a collection of Roman & Greek arms and armour formed in the late 1970s and early 1980s; property of a London gentleman.
Lot 110
Circa 100 – 200 AD A bronze figure of a horse and rider, the rider with arms outstretched and legs formed in an open position enabling attachment over the horse which is in a standing position with fours legs and long extended neck.Size: L:Lot of 2: 42 - 52mm / W:36 - 62mm ; 50gProvenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.
Lot 268
Circa 1200 - 1000 BC. An extremely fine Luristan bronze cast dagger, comprising of a long-pointed blade with hilt cast in one piece. The hilt is flanged to receive the wood or bone inlay. The sword is elegantly decorately with a Mounted on a custom-display stand. Craftsmen of ancient Persia were highly developed in bronze working, producing some of the highest quality tools and weaponry available at the time. These include a great number of ornaments, tools, weapons, horse-fittings, as well as a smaller number of vessels. Size: L:385mm / W:30mm ; 290g. Provenance: Private UK collection; Formerly acquired on the European art market from pre-2000 collections.
Lot 319
Late Shang Dynasty ca. 1300 - 1200 BC. This vessel consists of two parts, a rounded skirt, and an upper section that flares out at the top. The ear is half round. One relief band of two taotie patterns on a scrolling ground is placed on the tulip part, a broader one on the skirt part. Out-and inside are covered with oxidation layers. It was prominent form during the Shang and early Western Zhou dynasties and disappeared in the Eastern Zhou. This jia is a ritual vessel in bronze form. It was used to hold libations of wine for the veneration of ancestors. The vessel was made as a tripod and included two pillar-like protrusions on the rim that were possibly used to suspend the vessel overheat. This piece has undergone X-Ray Fluorescence analysis by an independent Belgian Laboratory. The samples collected show the chemical composition to reflect the typical metal contents of the described period, whilst also showing no modern trace elements in the patina. Size: L:270mm / W:160mm ; 1.4kg. Provenance: UK private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.
Lot 315
Han Dynasty, Circa 202 BC – 220 AD. A rare and ornate Chinese Han dynasty pottery goose with bronze legs. The goose is standing on its stylised, well-defined bronze legs which support a globular body and elegantly slender neck terminating in a black-coloured head with a red beak and open, attentive eyes. The body is decorated with white and black glaze, imitating the animal's natural plumage. Geese were a major motif in Han dynasty era poetry and were typically distinguished between two types of geese, the domestic goose, and the wild goose. The Han Dynasty, which ruled between 202 BC-220 AD, brought great prosperity and stability to China, reigning over a golden age of classical Chinese civilization during which China saw major advances including the widespread development of a monetary economy and the invention of paper, as well as much progress in the decorative arts. To find out more about the Han Dynasty and its art production, see Milleker, Elizabeth J. (ed.) (2000). The Year One: Art of the Ancient World East and West. Exhibition catalogue. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. This piece has been precisely dated by means of a Thermo Luminescence analysis carried out by Ralf Kotalla, an independent German Laboratory. The samples collected date the piece to the period reflected in its style, whilst also showing no modern trace elements. The TL certificate with its full report will accompany this lot. Size: L:200mm / W:185mm ; 720g. Provenance: UK private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.
Lot 212A
Ca. 1300–1400. Medieval Central European. A rare conical iron helmet with an extended chainmail neck guard. The original chainmail, attached to the rear with large butted rings, helped to deflect a blow to the back of the head and neck. These helmets were built around a framework of bronze or iron strips, overlaid with sheets of bronze or copper. A well-made conical helmet was an effective defence against a sword or a mace. Excellent condition; custom-made stand included. For more information on Medieval helmets, see Cantor, N. F. (1999). The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages. Viking Publishing, 44ff. & Bradbury, J. (2004). The Routledge companion to medieval warfare. London: Routledge. Size: L:450mm / W:210mm ; 1.6kg. Provenance: Property of a collector A. V., previously owned by B. S., acquired from an ancient art dealer J. W. in 1986 on the UK market. The original invoice will accompany this purchase.
Lot 196
Circa 200-300 AD.A beautifully formed D-shaped bronze ring with carnelian intaglio depicting a portrait of the owner, or more likely a member of the imperial family. Well patinated. Fine wearable condition.Size: D: 16.9mm / US: 6 1/2 / UK: N; 12.4gProvenance: Central London private collection of Ancient Art and jewellery; acquired since the 1970s on the UK and European art markets.
Lot 234
Circa 1200 BC - 700 BC A long bronze dagger blade with prominently curved guard, which extends out from the ricasso of the pointed blade and partly frames the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso where it held the hilt. See similar swords in Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, pp.99-100. Size: L:390mm / W:60mm ; 235g. Provenance: Property of a North London gentleman; previously acquire on the UK/European art market in the 1970s.
Lot 214
Northern Black Sea region, 4th century B.C. A very expressive form of bronze helmet of Chalcidian type. The Crown domed skull composed of two halves, connected to one another by twelve rivets fastened along the overlapping edges. With a mask-like front featuring high-arched eyebrows, the eyes have been carefully cut out. The round sections are each accentuated with a separately applied moulded band. A short nose guard reinforced by a metal sheet extending shortly over the eye openings. This sheet is additionally reinforced with two rivets at the sides of the forehead and covers the seam over the overlapping parts of the crown. This area of reinforcement has been delicately engraved with a seven-pointed zigzag line. The lower section of the skull has a smooth exterior, apart from a small section around the nose, whilst the upper section is decorated with repousséd lines. The lower edge of the helmet is portioned by a circumferential line surmounted by a double line extending from front to reverse on either side of the crown, flanking the central seam and turning in a wide curve to the left and right, therefore forming a pointed centre on the forehead and nape. Within the globular lobes on each side are five bands composed of three raised lines radiating from the crown. The cheek guards are connected to the skull by a three-piece hinge. The cheek guards are curved at the back with two shallow recessed on the front and distinctly pointed lower edge. The lower part of the cheek guards are with wide perforations for the chinstrap. The exterior of the crown and cheek guards have been cleared a red-brown cuprite layer oxidation which has conserved the ancient surface. On the right side of the skull close to the double lines a smaller tension crack at front and a longer tension crack at back. This helmet is in an extremely good state of preservation and one can only assume it was worn by someone in a high-ranking position. Provenance: ex. Hermann Historica, lot 1818, 13th November 2019, previously on the Lithuanian art trade. Purchased by the previous Lithuanian owner in England in 2015. Purchased by the previous English owner in the English art trade in 1979. Size: L:325mm / W:230mm ; 555g. Provenance: Property of a European collector, previously part of the UK collection formed in the 1970s. ex. Herman Historica Auctions. Copy of the original invoice will accompany this object.
Lot 88
Canaanite, Early Bronze Age, circa 3000 – 2700 BC. A beautifully formed red burnished vessel in the form of a jug with a long neck, large handle and funnel-shaped mouth and flat base. The pottery, often red rose slipped and burnished or painted with geometric motifs, includes jugs, bottles, and jars. Most common are the red-slipped jugs, some of a hard-baked "metallic" quality, with handles attached to the rim and a typical stamped base. This pottery class took its name from Abydos, the first site at which it was found, in Upper Egypt.Size: L:160mm / W:65mm ; 210gProvenance: Property of a UK Ancient Art Gallery; previously in Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Feuer, New York, acquired 1970s - 1980s.
Lot 233
Circa - 1200 BC - 700 BC A two-edged bronze blade blade, leaf-shaped with rectangular tang, corrugated midrib extending almost to the tip and flared at the shoulder, decorated with vertical grooves Cf. Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 2004, item 36. Size: L:620mm / W:60mm ; 465g. Provenance: Property of a North London gentleman; previously acquire on the UK/European art market in the 1970s.
Lot 349
Han Dynasty, Circa 202 BC - 220 AD An elegant Han Dynasty greyware Hu vessel. The simple vessel is decorated on the shoulders opposite sides with moulded taotie masks and a ring. Lightly incised grooves run around the vessel. It has a plain rim, large bulbous body, and stands on a raised integral base, with original bulbous shaped lid. The taotie is a motif commonly found on early Chinese ritual bronze vessels: the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and possibly further back to Neolithic times. It typically consists of a frontal zoomorphic mask, with a pair of raised eyes and no lower jaw area. This shape is known as ‘hu’: a vase of baluster-shape, copied from bronze vessels. The form is characterised by a pear-shaped body, which continues upwards in a curve towards a generous opening. Size: L:500mm / W:275mm ; 6.9kg. Provenance: UK private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.
Lot 40
Middle Bronze Age II, circa 1850-1550 BC. A terracotta vessel with bulbous body and short neck, with a handle connecting the body and the neck. Fine condition. Mounted on a custom-made black stand.Size: L:85mm / W:55mm ; 80gProvenance: Property of a UK Ancient Art Gallery, formerly in the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Feuer, NY., acquired 1970s - 1980s.
Lot 108
Circa 200-300 AD. Bronze scabbard chape (or bottom) with pelta-shaped body surmounted by a stylised budding flower motif. Chapes serve to reinforce leather or fabric scabbards to prevent the point of a blade from cutting through. The Roman gladius was the short sword used by soldiers under the Roman Empire, which primarily allowed for stabbing attacks while fighting in closed rank formation.Size: L:58mm / W:60mm ; 30gProvenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.
Lot 270
Circa - 1200 BC - 700 BC A two-edged bronze blade blade, leaf-shaped with rectangular tang, corrugated midrib extending almost to the tip and flared at the shoulder, decorated with vertical grooves For similar style see Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 2004, item 36. Size: L:430mm / W:55mm ; 390g. Provenance: Private UK collection; Formerly acquired on the European art market from pre-2000 collections.
Lot 208
Circa 200-300 AD. A beautifully formed D-shaped bronze ring with carnelian intaglio depicting a portrait of the owner, or more likely a member of the imperial family. Well patinated. Fine wearable condition.Size: D: 16.1mm / US: 5 1/2 / UK: L; 14.28gProvenance: Central London private collection of Ancient Art and jewellery; acquired from an East Coast, US estate collection formed before 1979.
Lot 330
Han Dynasty, Circa 202 BC - 220 AD An elegant Han Dynasty terracotta Hu vessel decorated in red slip, black and white geometric patterns and spirals. The simple vessel is decorated on the shoulders opposite sides with moulded taotie masks and a ring. Lightly incised grooves run around the vessel. It has a plain rim, large bulbous body, and stands on a raised integral base, with original bulbous shaped lid. The taotie is a motif commonly found on early Chinese ritual bronze vessels: the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and possibly further back to Neolithic times. It typically consists of a frontal zoomorphic mask, with a pair of raised eyes and no lower jaw area. This shape is known as ‘hu’: a vase of baluster-shape, copied from bronze vessels. The form is characterised by a pear-shaped body, which continues upwards in a curve towards a generous opening. Size: L:325mm / W:160mm ; 2.5kg. Provenance: UK private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.
Lot 138
A Hellenistic-Ptolemaic bronze ring fragment, set in a solid gold post classical ring featuring a hoop. The bezel embraces the high relief depiction of a female figure, portrayed in profile, facing left, with her hair arranged in a braided high coiffure. Although the identity behind the figure remains a mystery, the figure is identified with the Ptolemaic queen, Berenice II. For similar see British Museum accession number: 1917,0501.1268Size: D: 16.4mm / US: 5 7/8 / UK: L 1/2; 16.87gProvenance: Central London private collection of Ancient Art and jewellery; acquired from an East Coast, US estate collection formed before 1979.
Lot 195
Circa 1000 BC An ancient cast bronze ring formed of hammered sheet bronze with highly skilled punched and engraved design surrounding its entire circumference with zoomorphic animals.Size: L:25mm / W:35mm ; 45gProvenance: Property of a UK Ancient Art Gallery; formerly in Private NYC collection, acquired from Sumer Gallery, Henry Anavian, 1990.
Lot 216
Circa 550 - 450 BC. A very expressive form of bronze helmet of early Chalcidian type with deep crescentic cheek-guards with single hole, a small tear-drop shaped nose guard, eyes carefully cut out, eyebrows in ridged relief, sharply carinated and crested crown, a flaring neck guard. Museum Quality helmet. Nicely patination finish remaining. Cf. Antike Helme, pp. 139-141, for a discussion of the type (Chalcidian II) characterized by the eyes cut deeply into the rounded cheek-guards. For related examples also see Sotheby's, New York, December 8th, 2000, nos. 61-62. For similar see Sotheby’s, lot 68, 7th December 2001. The Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art, Accession no. 2003.407.2 Vogel, Carol. April 4, 1993. "Home Design." New York Times Magazine, : pp. 20–21. Blass, Bill. 2002. Bare Blass, Cathy Horyn, ed. p. 136, New York: HarperCollins. Milleker, Elizabeth J. and Dr. Seán Hemingway. 2004. "Recent Acquisitions: A Selection 2003–2004." Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 62(2): p. 7. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2004. "One Hundred Thirty-fourth Annual Report of the Trustees for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004." Annual Report of the Trustees of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 134: p. 19. Chalcidian helmets are named after similar helmets depicted on pottery vases from the Euboean city of Chalcis. This type of ancient Greek helmet was a lighter and less restrictive form of the Corinthian helmet. By the time of Alexander the Great the helmet was still worn by soldiers, most notably the hoplites, the heavy infantrymen who carried long spears; the helmet would later go on to develop into the Attic helmet which is iconic of Classical soldiers. Size: L:210mm / W:225mm ; 700g. Provenance: From a collection of Roman & Greek arms and armour formed in the late 1970s and early 1980s; property of a London gentleman.
Lot 63
Middle Bronze Age II, circa 1850-1550 BC. A terracotta vessel with ovoid body and flared rim, accompanied by a handle attached from rim to shoulder. The body painted with linear decoration. Cf. Bull, Ludlow and Maurice S. Dimand. 1935. "Antiquities from Palestine." Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art 30 (2), p. 44. Magrill, Pamela. 2006. A Researcher's Guide to the Lachish Collection in the British Museum. The British Museum Research Publication 161. London: The British Museum, p. ix.Size: L:120mm / W:65mm ; 125gProvenance: Property of a UK Ancient Art Gallery, formerly in the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Feuer, NY., acquired 1970s - 1980s.
Lot 48
Circa 100-200 AD. A bronze votive figure of a foot which has been beautifully decorated with incised decoration representing the feet and sandals. Votive offerings were made at the temple of a healing god such as Asklepios, the Greco-Roman god of healing and medicine. They were offered in the hope of receiving a cure or as thanks for one. Votives were made in the shape of the affected or cured body part, in this case a person’s left foot. It has a hole so it can be hung up on a wall. The use of bronze may indicate a wealthy owner as most votives were made from terracotta. For similar see the Science Museum Group no. A28797.Size: L:80mm / W:30mm ; 91gProvenance: Property of a UK Ancient Art Gallery; formerly with Lautenberg collection, NJ., acquired 1960s, to previous owner by descent.
Lot 43
Circa 600-700 AD A bronze vessel in the form of an ewer with everted rim and long handle which connects the body to the neck. A common feature of ewers made in the early Islamic period is the highly abstracted animal heads at each end of the handle. For similar see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, No. 1978.549.1Size: L:65mm / W:95mm ; 165gProvenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s;
Lot 38
Middle Bronze Age II, circa 1850-1550 BC. A terracotta vessel with ovoid body and flared rim, accompanied by a handle attached from rim to shoulder. Cf. Bull, Ludlow and Maurice S. Dimand. 1935. "Antiquities from Palestine." Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art 30 (2), p. 44. Magrill, Pamela. 2006. A Researcher's Guide to the Lachish Collection in the British Museum. The British Museum Research Publication 161. London: The British Museum, p. ix.Size: L:190mm / W:60mm ; 160gProvenance: Property of a UK Ancient Art Gallery, formerly in the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Feuer, NY., acquired 1970s - 1980s.
Lot 308
Circa 475 - 221 BC. A Chinese Warring States bronze socketed spearhead; raised central ridge and integral hollow handle. Excellent patination. For similar see University of Glasgow, accession number: 23.10.0. The military of Warring States region covers primarily to the military apparatuses of the seven Warring States who bought around 475 – 221 BC when the state of Qin conquered the other six regional states. Forming what we know today as China’s first imperial dynasty. The Qin Dynasty. Size: L:320mm / W:35mm ; 245g. Provenance: UK private collection of Asian Art; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.
Lot 232
Circa 800 BC An extremely fine Urartian bronze cast dagger, comprising of a long-pointed blade, decorated with four incised terminals with convex ends. A flanged, hollow hilt. The hilts edges, hollowed to hold wood or bone inlay. Above the hilt are three convex lines decorating the base. Mounted on a custom-display stand. Size: L:485mm / W:75mm ; 590g. Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.
Lot 49
Circa 100-200 AD. A bronze votive figure of a foot which has been beautifully decorated with incised decoration representing the feet and sandals. Votive offerings were made at the temple of a healing god such as Asklepios, the Greco-Roman god of healing and medicine. They were offered in the hope of receiving a cure or as thanks for one. Votives were made in the shape of the affected or cured body part, in this case a person’s left foot. It has a hole so it can be hung up on a wall. The use of bronze may indicate a wealthy owner as most votives were made from terracotta. For similar see the Science Museum Group no. A28797.Size: L:80mm / W:30mm ; 86gProvenance: Property of a UK Ancient Art Gallery; formerly with Lautenberg collection, NJ., acquired 1960s, to previous owner by descent.
Lot 227
Circa 700-900 AD. A long iron khazar sword with a long pointed bevelled blade, a rectangular hilt with convex sides formed in bronze with gilding, remnants of a silver handle which shows beautifully incised decoration and a large section of scabbard in the middle of the blade. This sword would have belonged to someone of high social standing due to the nature of this sword. It would have been expensive and would have acted as ceremonial as well as functional. An exceptional piece in stable condition. Size: L:830mm / W:75mm ; 760g. Provenance: From a private collection; previously was acquired from G. M. in London in 2017.
Lot 98
Late Bronze Age, circa 1550 – 1200 BC. A beautifully preserved oil lamp made from red clay with small, pebble-shaped inclusions, with a shell-shaped profile and a small, flat base. It is pinched in one spot, creating a narrow rest for its wick spout and a shallow interior cavity. Lamps of this style were immensely important to the lives of the people who used them. In the Old Testament, various important people are compared by analogy to the significance of lamps like these.Size: L:145mm / W:150mm ; 200gProvenance: Property of a UK Ancient Art Gallery; previously in Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Feuer, New York, acquired 1970s - 1980s.
Lot 89
Late Bronze Age, 1600 -1450 BC A pottery flask with globular body, long cylindrical neck, funnel rim, handle from neck to shoulder, base ring. Two parallel ridges round the neck at the level of the upper part of the handle The Art of Ancient Cyprus, pp. 32-34, pl. 25d (item two), p. 61, pls. 80b-d (items three, four and five), p. 100, pl. 160 (item one). Åström P. 1972, 'Swedish Cyprus Expedition'. Vol. IV. Part 1B, Lund. Åström, P. (ed.), 2001, 'The chronology of Base-Ring ware and Bichrome Wheel-made ware', Stockholm. Vaughan, S. 1991, "Material and technical classification of Base Ring ware: a new fabric typology" in J. Barlow, D. Bolger & B. Kling (eds.) 'Cypriot ceramics. Reading the prehistoric record'. Philadelphia, 119–30.Size: L:125mm / W:60mm ; 80gProvenance: Property of a UK Ancient Art Gallery; formerly Estate of Susan Pines, NYC. Collected between 1968 - 1970s.
Lot 275
Circa 1200-800 BC A beautifully formed Chinese Warring States Period bronze socketed spear with nicely shaped, solid blade and conical socketed shaft for attaching to a piece of wood. The handle with blocked linear decoration and concentric circles. The military of Warring States region covers primarily to the military apparatuses of the seven Warring States who bought around 475 – 221 BC when the state of Qin conquered the other six regional states. Forming what we know today as China’s first imperial dynasty. The Qin Dynasty. Size: L:340mm / W:35mm ; 255g. Provenance: UK private collection of Asian Art; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.
Lot 211B
Circa 300–100 BC. Celtic. A beautiful Iron Age bronze torc in the shape of a crown. Excellent condition. Commonly mentioned as spoils of war and usually made from various metals, torcs were not merely military decorations for men. They could also serve as indications of ranks, status and power. Torcs may also have had religious associations as such objects appear on the figures of Bronze Age and Celtic deities. Designs could vary from very simple to extremely elaborate pieces in various metals, including gold. Some torcs were probably used as rattles during rituals and put on statues as votive offerings. For more information on Celtic torcs and comparison pieces, see Farley, J. (ed.) (2015). Celts: art and identity. The British Museum, 93–96.Size: L:135mm / W:45mm; 560g.Provenance: Property of a European collector, acquired on a European Art market in 2017; formerly in the collection of Mr. D. L., acquired by A. M. in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 1977. A copy of the original invoice will accompany this purchase.
Lot 219A
Circa 800–600 BC. Cimmerian. A stunning bronze dagger finely cast in one piece with a tapering double-edged, slightly curved blade with a three-row median ridge. The wide and flat hilt is decorated with four concentric circles, each of which are pierced in the middle. Excellent condition; custom–made stand included. Cimmerians were nomadic Indo-European people, who, according to Herodotus, inhabited the region north of the Caucasus and the Black Sea during the 8th and 7th centuries BC. To find out more about the Cimmerians, see Kristensen, A. K. G. (1988). Who Were the Cimmerians, and Where Did They Come from? Sargon II, the Cimmerians, and Rusa I. The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters. Size: L:295mm / W:60mm ; 245g. Provenance: Property of a European collector, acquired in 2018, previously owned by a London gentleman R. P. T.
Lot 265
Circa 1750-1500 BC. A substantial copper alloy flat axe with broad convex cutting edge tapering gently to a rounded butt. The edges slightly raised. See Evans, J., The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1881, fig. 2, for a very similar example. Size: L:65mm / W:165mm ; 335g. Provenance: From the private collection; previously bought by Dolf Aaij in Ancient Art Gallery Strombroek in Amsterdam, in 2005.
Lot 215
Circa 550 – 300 BC. A very expressive form of bronze helmet of Chalcidian type. Crown domed with a mask-like front featuring high-arched eyebrows, the eyes have been carefully cut out. The round sections are each accentuated with a separately applied moulded band. A short tear-drop shaped nose guard is reaching down, moveable articulated crescentic cheek guards with contoured edges are attached by hinges on the sides, rounded, and tapering towards the chin allowing binding. Museum Quality helmet. Chalcidian helmets are named after similar helmets depicted on pottery vases from the Euboean city of Chalcis. This type of ancient Greek helmet was a lighter and less restrictive form of the Corinthian helmet. The hinged cheek pieces were anatomically formed to fit closely to the face and tended to curve upward towards the eye, where large circular openings provided a wider field of view than the Corinthian helmets. By the time of Alexander the Great the helmet was still worn by soldiers, most notably the hoplites, the heavy infantrymen who carried long spears; the helmet would later go on to develop into the Attic helmet which is iconic of Classical soldiers. For more examples of Chalcidian helmets, see Everson, T. (2004). Warfare in Ancient Greece: arms and armour from the heroes of Homer to Alexander the Great. The History Press, 116-124. For similar see the Walters Art Museum, accession no. 54.2468. Size: L:295mm / W:245mm ; 990g. Provenance: From a collection of Roman & Greek arms and armour formed in the late 1970s and early 1980s; property of a London gentleman.
Lot 288
Circa 8000-6000 BC. Made of dense gray-brown diorite. Boat-shaped with a blade higher than a butt. Middle part with vertical shaft-hole. Blade and shaft-hole are finely polished. Drilled from both ends, leaving horizontal parallel. The Neolithic period was the last stage of Stone Age and is characterized by the use of ground or polished stone weapons, tools and implements.The Neolithic tools & weapons: axes and hammers, adzes and chisels, knives and scrapers, sickle and hoe were used for cereal cultivation and animal domestication.The Chalcolithic (or Eneolithic) era marks a transition period to the Bronze Age with the introduction of Bronze metallurgy. In Europe the arrival of bronze tools and weapons did not play a noticeable role in production for household or military craft. Stone still was used for implements or battle weapons. Many of them were multi-purpose tools that could be used as hoes, working axes, adzes, chisels and battle axes depending of the method of fastening the haft. P. V. Glob's classical book Danske Oldsager II. Yngre Stenalder gives a comprehensive overview on the Northern European New Stone Age. Size: L:170mm / W:52mm ; 454g. Provenance: Private London collection, acquired in 2002 in Vienna; formerly in 1980s - 2000s Austrian collection.
Lot 334
Han Dynasty, Circa 202 BC – 220 AD An outstanding earthenware rooster with many traces of the original polychromy. This colourful rooster stands on bronze legs. The roosters are mingqi, 'spirit goods' belonging to the burial rituals in the Chinese Han Dynasty. High-ranking persons were buried with various everyday objects; it was believed that life after death was a continuation of the present life, and therefore the deceased was provided with all the objects necessary to continue living after death. Thus, terracotta animals, such as these roosters and camels, horses and cattle were given, as well as food, clothing, and valuables. The tombs were designed architecturally so that, together with the objects, they provided both a comfortable final resting place as well as a safe journey for the deceased into the afterlife. Ancestor worship was very important, for the welfare of the deceased and for the welfare of the entire family. For similar see H.C. Clydesdale, ‘The Vibrant Role of Mingqi in Early Chinese Burials’, Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 2000 For similar see Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, Xi’an (K19:13). This piece has been precisely dated by means of a Thermo Luminescence analysis carried out by Ralf Kotalla, an independent German Laboratory. The samples collected date the piece to the period reflected in its style, whilst also showing no modern trace elements. The TL certificate with its full report will accompany this lot. Size: L:150mm / W:150mm ; 345g. Provenance: UK private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.
Lot 340
Han Dynasty, Circa 202 BC - 220 AD An elegant Han Dynasty greyware Hu vessel. The simple vessel is decorated on the shoulders opposite sides with moulded taotie masks and a ring. Lightly incised grooves run around the vessel. It has a plain rim, large bulbous body, and stands on a raised integral base, with original bulbous shaped lid. The taotie is a motif commonly found on early Chinese ritual bronze vessels: the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and possibly further back to Neolithic times. It typically consists of a frontal zoomorphic mask, with a pair of raised eyes and no lower jaw area. This shape is known as ‘hu’: a vase of baluster-shape, copied from bronze vessels. The form is characterised by a pear-shaped body, which continues upwards in a curve towards a generous opening. Size: L:485mm / W:275mm ; 6.9kg. Provenance: UK private collection; formerly acquired in the early 1990s in Hong Kong.
Lot 228
Circa 1200 BC - 700 BC A bronze dagger blade with prominently curved guard, which extends out from the ricasso of the pointed blade and partly frames the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso where it held the hilt. See similar swords in Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, pp.99-100. Size: L:430mm / W:60mm ; 200g. Provenance: Private UK collection; Formerly acquired on the European art market from pre-2000 collections.
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