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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 217

10th-12th century AD. A large bronze enkolpion reliquary cross pendant comprising two hinged plates and an articulated suspension loop with vertical rib; obverse with facing nimbate figure in orans pose with feathers, legend 'OA ?EOP?HOC' (St George); reverse with hatched panels and five inset glass cloisons. Cf. Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 270.130 grams, 12cm (4 3/4"). From the collection of a Surrey gentleman; acquired 1970-1980. Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 219

10th-11th century AD. A large bronze enkolpion reliquary cross pendant, comprising two narrow hinged plates and articulated suspension loop with two vertical ribs; obverse with Jesus Christ on the cross, dressed with a long robe (colobium) and two small figures of evangelists on His side, under the arms the Greek inscription '?? ?? ???' (Jesus Christos Nika = Jesus Christ is victorious), over His head the titulum (INRI), and the sun and the moon; on the tabula ansata of the titulum is reported the Greek inscription ? fur X??????; reverse with Theotokos (Mother of God) in orans pose and the four nimbate busts of the evangelists, with the Gospels in their hands, surrounded at the four arms of the cross, with the initials of their names incised: ?,?,?,?. See Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 258, for type; Cormack R., Vassilaki M., Byzantium 330-1453, London, 2008, p.226, n.197.132 grams, 10.6cm (4 1/4"). Property of an Austrian collector; previously from a private collection formed between 1965-1975. This enkolpion is a beautiful example of a 10th century prototype of pendant cross that was widespread in the 11th-12th centuries. Strangely enough, the image of Saint John and of the Virgin Mary at the sides of the crucified Jesus is substituted by the iconography of two evangelists. This aspect demonstrates the many variants of enkolpia existing throughout the Roman empire in this period of the new Byzantine art, due to the new political and artistic vigour of the Macedonian dynasty. Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 225

2nd millennium BC. A carnelian cylinder seal with intaglio frieze of a winged god in fringed robe stepping forward with a khopesh in one hand seizing the extended foreleg of a rearing gryphon with bearded head, extended wings, curved tail beneath a starburst and crescent; bronze spindle still present in the vertical hole; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 10 grams, 31mm (1 1/4"). From a London gentleman, formerly in a Swiss collection 1990s. Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 26

Late Period, 664-332 BC. A bronze sarcophagus for a shrew, square in section and hollow containing the remains of the animal and with a model of it on the upper face; attached to an old collector's handwritten note mounted behind the piece in a wooden frame, stating: 'Mummy of the Mus Ar[..]a[.]us (Shrewmouse) sacred to Buto, goddess of the night: taken from a tomb at Memphis. See Herodotus, Interpa. 67. Q[uer]y: was the veneration for this creature derived from its traditional destruction of the army of Sennacherib according to Herodotus?' 128 grams, 17 x 11cm (6 3/4 x 4 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; from a private English collection formed in 1980s; believed to be from a 19th century collection.[No Reserve] Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 260

6th-5th century BC. A sheet-gold figure of a bull with the legs folded beneath the body; the head is that of a human male with detailed beard and conical cap or headdress; the underside includes a portion of silver sheet and a ferrous fragment. 12.94 grams, 41mm (1 1/2"). Property of a London businessman; formerly in a private Japanese collection; accompanied by a copy of a seven page examination report number 84/2014 by Dr. habil. Mikhail Treister dated 26 October 2014, and an expertise from Striptwist Ltd, a London-based company run by historical precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden, reference number 160610; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10348-168729. Dr Ogden notes that the 'mode of manufacture is consistent with manufacture in the Early Bronze Age, a date perhaps also suggested by the lack of wings, but the iron component would be more expected in the Early Iron Age. ... It is perhaps not impossible that the gold human-headed bull, decorating a silver vessel or other object, was made in the early Bronze Age then lost or buried. Then ... it was rediscovered in a damaged state, repaired ... and mounted on an iron component...' Very fine condition; with ancient repair.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 271

3rd millennium BC. A substantial bronze torch or vessel bearer, the tripod base with animal feet; stem formed as a central standing nude female figure with arms stretched upwards, holding a deep bowl balanced on her head. See Simpson, S.T., Queen of Sheba: Treasures From Ancient Yemen, The British Museum Press, London, 2002, item 297, for a stand with bowl; see Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron: Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum Museum of Art, New York, 1988, pp.334-335, for objects of a similar form; see Mahboubian, H., Art and Civilization of Ancient Iran, Mahboubian Gallery, Wiltshire, 2004, pp.17-18, for similar objects; see Amiet, P., Art of the Ancient Near East, New York, 1977; Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron. Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988; Aruz, J., Art of the First Cities. The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus, New York, 2003.576 grams total, 19cm including stand (7 1/2"). Property of a West London gentleman; from a private collection since 1989; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10519-172048. This figure likely functioned as temple attendant, holding aloft a bowl of incense, a lamp or other form of offering. Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 274

3rd-2nd century BC. A substantial bronze, square-shaped openwork buckle with three stylised stags, the larger central stag with antlers formed as two volutes, galloping right, smaller stags above, smaller animal bounding left below, scrolls in field; all set within a border comprising two rows of scrollwork motifs; rounded bosses in each of the four rounded corners; integral 'hook' and 'eye' to reverse for attachment. Cf. Bunker, E., Chatwin, C.B., & Farkas, A.R., Animal Style from East to West, New York, 1970, for discussion; cf. Aruz, J., Farkas, A., Alekseev, A., & Korolova, E., edn., The Golden Deer of Eurasia, New York, 2000, for discussion; cf. Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron: Ancient Near Eastern Artefacts in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, p.440, fig.581, for a close parallel.258 grams, 11.1 x 11.1cm (4 1/4 x 4 1/4"). Formerly in the private collection of a former Israeli ambassador, Mr N.M.; acquired in Vienna, Austria, in the 1990s; accompanied by a copy of a seven page examination report number 138/2019 by Dr. habil Mikhail Treister; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10365-168742. An extract from the accompanying report written by Dr. habil Mikhail Treister states: 'In spite of the fact that numerous buckles are known they are decorated with various main compositions and different frame design. The buckle (here) shows an elaborately execution (sic) composition, the direct parallels to which are unknown to me and is also of very good state of preservation, making it one of the best examples of this group.' Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 278

2nd millennium BC. A characterful bronze male bust with elongated bald head, asymmetrical ears, slender brows and straight nose above closed, down-turned mouth and fleshy chin, silvered eyes; subtle suggestion of musculature and skeletal structure at neck and chest; mounted on a custom-made stand. 108 grams total, 52mm including stand (2"). Ex collection of a deceased London gentleman; 1970-1999. Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 300

6th-2nd century BC. A pair of matched gilt bronze buckle plates in the form of a bull, head facing forward, forelegs bent under the body, detailed face and legs, scrolled motif to the body; mounted on a custom-made stand. 480 grams total, 19cm including stand (7 1/2"). From a private collection. Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 304

Western Qin Dynasty, 385-431 AD. A gilt-bronze statuette, influenced by the Gandharan style or that of the neighbouring Uddiyana region, of Shakyamuni Buddha kneeling on a tiered podium, aureole to the rear; inscribed legend to the reverse of the aureole, the inscription mentions the 'Tripitaka Master', the 'Buddha Disciple' and to 'arouse the vow' and asks 'to improve human welfare, and to save all beings from the sea of suffering and erase calamity'; donors to the legs of the podium. See Dr. Naiki, S., Similarities and Differences in Gandharan Sculptures Among Regions, Thursday 22nd to Friday 23rd March 2018, The Geography of Gandharan Art: 2nd Workshop of the Gandhara Connections Project, Classical Art Research Centre, University of Oxford. Exhibited: Out of Uddiyana. An exhibition at Tibet House New York, From the Buckingham collections, exhibit TB008, p.59 & 160; accompanied by copies of the relevant exhibition catalogue pages. 355 grams, 14.1cm (5 1/2"). Acquired for the ‘Buckingham Collection’ by the late Nik Douglas (1944-2012), renowned author, curator and Asian art expert; the collection formed from the early 1960s to early 1970s; displayed at the major exhibition ‘The Buddha Image: Out of Uddiyana’, Tibet House, 22 West 15th Street, New York, 16 September-20 October 2010, extended to 16 November and again to 7 January 2011; where the collection of one hundred pieces was publicly valued at US$ 15M; this piece was scheduled to be included in an exhibition titled ‘On the Silk Route; Birth of The Buddha’, to be held in London from November 2012, but sadly his death prevented this; accompanied by copies of several press releases and articles for the exhibition, including Artnet News, This Week in New York, Huffpost, Buddhist Art News, and copies of the relevant London and Tibet House exhibition catalogue pages, which dates the piece on artistic grounds to the Early Wei period, circa 5th century AD, and a transcription of the Chinese characters inscribed on the piece; recent translation of the previously undeciphered inscription suggests a more precise date range of 385-431 AD, Western Qin era; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10447-169027. Gandhara was a principal gateway through which Buddhism spread to China. Academic research conducted after the death of Nik Douglas (above) explains that Gandharan sculpture has been found in neighbouring regions, such as in Uddiyana. Sculpture from the Gandharan and Uddiyana regions has similar characteristics and as a result has often remained undifferentiated. As a result of this recent research however, it is becoming more feasible to identify distinctions between the sculpture of these different regions. [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 305

Northern Wei, early 5th century AD. A gilt-bronze buddha figure kneeling on a throne, flanked by lions, flames radiating from the upper arms, pleated robe, hands clasped in the samadhi mudra; the figure's composition originates in the Gandharan style and displays Central Asian features. 406 grams, 13cm (5"). Acquired for the ‘Buckingham Collection’ by the late Nik Douglas (1944-2012), renowned author, curator and Asian art expert; the collection formed from the early 1960s to early 1970s; much of the collection displayed at the major exhibition ‘The Buddha Image: Out of Uddiyana’, Tibet House, 22 West 15th Street, New York, 16 September-20 October 2010, extended to 16 November and again to 7 January 2011; where the collection of one hundred pieces was publicly valued at US$ 15M; this piece was scheduled to be included in an exhibition titled ‘On the Silk Route; Birth of The Buddha’, to be held in London from November 2012, but sadly his death prevented this; accompanied by copies of several press releases and articles for the exhibition, including Artnet News, This Week in New York, Huffpost, Buddhist Art News, and copies of the relevant London exhibition catalogue pages; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.163205-10082. Gandhara was a principal gateway through which Buddhism spread to China, with the connection to Gandharan Buddhist statuary and sculpture evident in the style of this piece. [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.

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Lot 306

Eastern Wei, early 5th century AD. A bronze figure, likely in the style of the Gandharan or Uddiyana regions, of Shakyamuni Buddha in loose robes seated on a throne flanked by elephants. See Dr. Naiki, S., Similarities and Differences in Gandharan Sculptures Among Regions, Thursday 22nd to Friday 23rd March 2018, The Geography of Gandharan Art: 2nd Workshop of the Gandhara Connections Project, Classical Art Research Centre, University of Oxford. Exhibited: Out of Uddiyana. An exhibition at Tibet House New York, From the Buckingham collections, exhibit TB003, p.58 & 159; accompanied by copies of the relevant exhibition catalogue pages. 101 grams, 80mm (3"). Acquired for the ‘Buckingham Collection’ by the late Nik Douglas (1944-2012), renowned author, curator and Asian art expert; the collection formed from the early 1960s to early 1970s; displayed at the major exhibition ‘The Buddha Image: Out of Uddiyana’, Tibet House, 22 West 15th Street, New York, 16 September-20 October 2010, extended to 16 November and again to 7 January 2011; where the collection of one hundred pieces was publicly valued at US$ 15M; this piece was scheduled to be included in an exhibition titled ‘On the Silk Route; Birth of The Buddha’, to be held in London from November 2012, but sadly his death prevented this; accompanied by copies of several press releases and articles for the exhibition, including Artnet News, This Week in New York, Huffpost, Buddhist Art News, and copies of the relevant London and Tibet House exhibition catalogue pages. Gandhara was a principal gateway through which Buddhism spread to China. Academic research conducted after the death of Nik Douglas (above) explains that Gandharan sculpture has been found in neighbouring regions, such as in Uddiyana. Sculpture from the Gandharan and Uddiyana regions has similar characteristics and as a result has often remained undifferentiated. As a result of this recent research however, it is becoming more feasible to identify distinctions between the sculpture of these different regions. Fair condition; ritually rubbed by generations of devotees.

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Lot 307

Tang to Liao Dynasty, 907-1125 AD. A substantial hollow bronze 'pagoda' stupa with three-tiered square and stepped base showing bodhi leaves, flaming jewels and foliage tendrils respectively, surmounted by a pierced frieze, each side depicting a seated Buddha flanked by standing figures and clouds; with triple pitched and hipped roof elements rising above pierced wall panels; in turn all surmounted by a column with five graduated discs affixed and terminating in a four-lobed flammiform element. See National Museum, China, for a similar example; accompanied by a two-page document describing and illustrating the piece.4.9 kg, 59cm (23 1/4"). Acquired for the ‘Buckingham Collection’ by the late Nik Douglas (1944-2012), renowned author, curator and Asian art expert; the collection formed from the early 1960s to early 1970s; displayed at the major exhibition ‘The Buddha Image: Out of Uddiyana’, Tibet House, 22 West 15th Street, New York, 16 September-20 October 2010, extended to 16 November and again to 7 January 2011; where the collection of one hundred pieces was publicly valued at US$ 15M; this piece was scheduled to be included in an exhibition titled ‘On the Silk Route; Birth of The Buddha’, to be held in London from November 2012, but sadly his death prevented this; accompanied by Nik Douglas's collection cataloguing pages; and a copy of the relevant ‘Out of Uddiyana’ exhibition catalogue pages including an image of this lot featured in one of the display cases; this lot has also been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10493-170984. Fine condition.

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Lot 32

8th-7th century BC. A beautifully executed dished gilt-bronze patera with central omphalos and chamfered rim; incised knot to the omphalos and rosette surrounding, concentric guilloche bands with frieze of advancing sphinxes with wings spread. See Curtis, J.E. and Reade, J.E. edn., Art And Empire Treasure From Assyria In The British Museum, London, 2006, pp.136-141, for similar and comparable examples; see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number 74.51.4554, for a comparable example; see The Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Phoenician Bowl with Incised Sphinxes, Inventory Number 99.29.A, for an almost identical example.201 grams, 15cm (6"). Property of a London businessman; acquired from Pierre Bergé & Associés, Archéologie, Paris, 16 May 2018, lot 136; accompanied by a copy of the original French passport number 200044, dated 23 July 2018 and by copies of the relevant Pierre Bergé catalogue pages; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10436-170707. [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.

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Lot 322

2nd-3rd century AD. An outstanding statue of Buddha, seated in a padm?sana or lotus position on a low throne, covered by a pillow and drapery, supported by two lions on each side, central relief representing an embroidery on the cloth decorated with two preaching bodhisattvas and their disciples, the first bodhisattva in the same position as Buddha and the other one with raised right hand in Abhaya mudra, a gesture of fearlessness; the statue reinforced on the back by a later added squared plinth; mounted on a custom-made display stand. See Ingholt, H., Gandharan Art in Pakistan, New York, 1957; Liu, X., Ancient India and Ancient China: Trade and Religious Exchange, AD 1–600, Oxford University Press, 1994; Taddei, M. ‘Afghanistan, Sculpture’ in Dictionary of Art, New York, 1996; Zwalf, W., A Catalogue of the Gandhara Sculpture in the British Museum, 2 vols., London: British Museum Press, 1996; Behrendt, K.A., The Art of Gandhara in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2007; Brancaccio, P., The Buddhist Caves at Auraganbad: transformation in Art and Religion, Leiden-Boston, 2011.1.6 kg total, 22cm including stand (8 1/2"). Ex property of a London lady; formerly in the David Lindhal collection since 1969; 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 number no.10408-169982. Gandharan control of the high mountain passes was vital to the international commerce of the sea routes cross the Arabian Sea, which supplied an expanding overland trade through Gandhara and continued on to Central Asia and China. This made the region wealthy and the resulting cosmopolitan elites of Gandhara became some of the most powerful Buddhist patrons in all of South Asia. Buddhism probably reached Gandhara as early as the 3rd century BC; sculptures representing Buddha began to be present from the 1st or 2nd century AD. The hairstyle of our bronze, the form of his robes, and the treatment of the drapes, reflect stylistic contacts with the classical traditions of the West. The sensitive modelling of the head and face has an expressive quality not seen in the more formal images in stone from this period. The depictions of the Buddha seated on a platform over which a plain cloth is draped. The way in which the drapery folds, suggest that this is a cloth of medium weight, but in our example, the Buddha is seated on a low, backless throne and the textile over the throne is thick and elaborately decorated. The decoration occurs in vertical panels, of which the centre panel is almost a square and shows the embroidery with the two bodhisattvas, the enlightened beings who have put off entering paradise in order to help others attain enlightenment. The figure of the central Buddha flanked by the bodhisattvas is well visible in the Gandhara art, and a similar example to our small sculpture is the beautiful image of the Aurangabad cave no.5, interior shrine, where the main Buddha in padm?sana is flanked by bodhisattvas. Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 340

12th-13th century AD. A squat bronze bowl with low-relief decoration to the inner and outer faces; the interior with central reserved knotwork panel on a hatched field surround by circles of ring-and-dot punchmarks and radiating flames, outer band of reserved calligraphic Kufic text on a hatched field with circular panels containing animals and facing figures; the exterior with running reserved calligraphic band to the sidewall, underside with disc panels containing zodiacal symbols on a dense hatched field. Cf. von Gladiss, A., Glanz und Substanz. Metallarbeitung in der Sammlung des Museums für Islamische Kunst, Berlin, 2012, item 50, for type.759 grams, 21cm (8 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market in the 2000s. Fine condition.

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Lot 341

12th-13th century AD. A substantial bronze mortar with slightly convex base, straight sides and wide rim; four vertical teardrop ribs decorating the body, with a single ring handle attached to the body on one side. 8.9 kg, 21cm wide (8 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; previously with Chiswick Auctions, London, UK; formerly in an old English collection. Fair condition.

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Lot 342

11th-12th century AD. A heavy bronze mortar with flared base, straight sides, and everted octagonal rim; two attachment lugs to either side of the body, one with ring handle. 7.5 kg, 18.5cm wide (7 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; previously with Chiswick Auctions, London, UK; formerly in an old English collection. Fair condition.

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Lot 349

6th century BC. A spectacular bronze helmet of Corinthian typology raised from a single sheet, strong nose guard with rounded end, large eye openings, regularly disposed holes around the edges for the attachment of inner padding; wide flaring flange to the rear, the crown pierced for the attachment of a crest; mounted on a custom-made display stand. See Snodgrass, A. M., Arms & Armor of the Greeks, London, 1967; Bottini, A., Egg, M., Von Hase, F. W., Pflug, H., Schaaf, U., Schauer, P., Waurick, G., Antike Helme, Sammlung Lipperheide und andere Bestände des Antikenmuseums Berlin, Mainz, 1988; a near identical helmet in the Axel Guttman Collection (Inv. No AG 510).3 kg total, 32cm including stand (12 1/2"). Property of a gentleman living in central London; formerly in an old private Japanese collection, acquired prior to 1990; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr. Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10400-170147. The helmet is a nicely shaped, large-sized representative of the late Archaic Corinthian helmets, which were part of the equipment of the hoplites. This helmet was the most remarkable of the whole Greek world. Made mainly of a single sheet of metal, it covered almost the whole head from the collar-bone upwards. The cheek-pieces, instead of hanging, merely swept forwards continuing the lower rim of the helmet, and left only a small, roughly T-shaped aperture for the eyes, nose and mouth. All around the rim are a series of perforations, conducted for the attachment of an inner lining. The helmet belongs to the third phase of the typology of these helmets. Very fine condition.

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Lot 350

Late 7th-mid 6th century BC. A substantial bronze helmet of domed form, raised from a single sheet, large eye openings and arched cheek protection, the long nose guard with rounded end and two rivets from an ancient repair; a decorative band of incised lines around the edge of the opening, a single row of holes around the eyes, cheeks and nose guard for the attachment of inner padding, some holes with rivets still in situ; flaring neck guard, the crown of the helmet pierced for the attachment of a crest. See Kunze, E., VII. Bericht uber die Ausgrabungen in Olympia, Berlin, 1961; Snodgrass, A.M., Arms & Armor of the Greeks, London, 1967; Bottini, A. et al., Antike Helme, Sammlung Lipperheide und andere Bestände des Antikenmuseums Berlin, Mainz, 1988; a near identical helmet in Berlin, probably from Olympia and another helm from Toscana, see Bottini, A. et al., 1988, pp.398, 402.850 grams, 21cm high (8 1/4"). Ex Bernd Gackstatter, Frankfurt, Germany, in 2006; previously acquired in 2001; formerly in the private collection of Mr M B., Mainz, Germany, 1990s, previously in the Axel Guttmann (1944-2001) collection, acquired in Berlin in the 1980s; accompanied by a nine page examination report from Dr. habil Mikhail Treisteran and an academic report by military specialist Dr. Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10320-169246. This helmet type was a significant innovation in ancient metallurgy, because when fashioned from a single sheet of bronze (or from two sheets in some models) it effectively protected every part of the head. The helmet of this typology belongs to the second stage of production of Corinthian helmets, an early variant of the rounded shape, dating to the 7th-mid 6th century BC (Pflug, 1988, pp.73-86"). The cut-offs at the base of the bowl, which separate the front part from the neck-guard, allow to collocate it in the so-called Myros group, and more in detail to the type with side-nicks (Helmen mit Seitenzwickeln) according to Künze classification. Fine condition, some restoration.

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Lot 351

5th century BC. A bronze helmet of Chalcidian type 2 variant, the crown with carinated perimeter, deep crescentic cheekpieces with small rings for attaching the chin strap, attachment hole on rear edge of cheekpiece for fastening the lining, small nose guard with moulded band around the edge, decorative eyebrow line in relief. See Furtwängler, A., Curtius, E, and Adler, F., Olympia: die Ergebnisse der von dem Deutschen Reich veranstalteten Ausgrabung (Tafelband 4): Die Bronzen und die übrigen kleineren Funde von Olympia, Berlin, 1890; Pflug, H., 'Chalkidische Helme' in Antike Helme, RGZM Monographien 14, Mainz, 1988, pp.137-150; Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002; Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 2004; ????????? ?. ?., '????? ??????????? ??????? ?? ????????? ??????' (Sarmatian Age Helmets from Eastern Europe), in Stratum Plus, n. 4, 2014, pp.249-284; similar helmets in the British Museum (from Mikrokaraburun, Macedonia, see Pflug, 1988, p.140), Olympia (inv. Nr. Misc. 6385, see Furtwangler, 1890, 170 nr. 1026 pl.63) and in the Guttmann collection (Christie's, 2002, pp.62-63).793 grams, 24cm (9 1/2"). Formerly in the private collection of Mr M B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1990s; ex Axel Guttmann collection; accompanied by an expertise by military specialist Dr Raffaele D’Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10298-168781. Representations of the type 2 Chalcidian helmets are found on Attic pottery as early as the 5th century BC. A beautiful example is the Attic red-figure kylix attributed to the Foundry painter, dated 495 BC (Christie's, 2002, p.62), which confirms the use of these helmets during the Persian Wars (490-479 BC) and that this typology of Hellenic helmets was fitted with a crest. Fine condition, restored.

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Lot 352

4th century BC. A bronze helmet of Chalcidian typology, the bowl forged from one piece with carination to the skull, long nasal with flared rim, flared edges above the eyes and ear openings; the D-shaped and contoured cheekpieces connected to the bowl by a six-part hinge, attachment hole to each for a chin-strap. See Ohly, D., Die Ägineten, Die Ostgiebelgruppe, Munich, 1976; Pflug, H., 'Chalkidische Helme' in: Antike Helme, RGZM Monographien 14, Mainz, 1988, pp.137-150; Chernenko, E.V., The Scythians 700-300 BC, Hong Kong, 1998.33cm, 1.1 kg (13"). Property of a London businessman; formerly with the Colisseum Project, Delaware, USA, 2005; accompanied by an archaeological report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10292-168753. Dr. Pflug distinguished five sub-categories within the Chalcidian helmet type. The fifth sub-category, corresponding to the Kunze group VII (Pflug, 1988, p.138), is characterised by the presence of detachable cheek-guards. Among the helmets of this type that remained unpublished until 1988 are fragments of a Chalcidian helmet found in Olympia, an example which had detachable cheek-guards and lobed neck protection, indicative of an advanced stage of development. These fragments, together with the remains of previously discovered Chalcidian helmets, filled a gap in the evidence regarding the evolution of the Olympia finds, demonstrating that the custom of consecrating weapons in Greece did not end with the final iteration of the Corinthian type. Fine condition, restored.

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Lot 356

Late 7th-mid 6th century BC. A bronze helmet raised from a single sheet, hemispherical skull with contoured crest base formed of two parallel corrugated raised ridges to the upper face, originally holding the helmet plume; rectangular cut-out for the face with a border of rivets beneath a shallow narrow border; curved neck protection developing behind the wide pointed cheek-guards; originally fitted with a double profile border; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Pflug, H., 'Illirysche Helme' in Antike Helme, RGZM Monographien 14, Mainz, 1988, pp.43-64; Connolly, P., Greece and Rome at war, London, 1981; Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002; Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 2004; for an example of similar helmets see an example in the Guttman collection (Christie's 2002, p.66); similar to another helmet from the Guttman collection (Inv. Nr. AG 516/H 169) which shows the same kind of dotted perimeter and short rear flange.4.3 kg total, 36cm including stand (14"). From a private UK collection, acquired in 1991; formerly in the Grossmann family collection, Bavaria, Germany, formed in the 1960s; accompanied by a report by military expert Dr. Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol database of stolen works of art and it is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10293-168616. This second type of Illyrian helmet, as shown in the Berlin specimen K4 (Pflug, 1988, p.148), is usually characterized by the rear of the skull emphasizing the dome as an independent element of the helmet, and by a neck protector that swings far back and is separated from the pointed cheek pieces by deep side gussets. Fine condition, restored.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 360

6th-5th century BC. A bronze two-edged dagger comprising a triangular blade with midrib extending to the rounded tip, flat-section grip with dentilled detailing to edges flanking high-relief chevron ornament extending to an arched lower guard with lobe finials; the pommel formed as an integral figure of a zebu modelled in the round; accompanied by a custom-made stand. Cf. Bonora, G.L. & Marzatico, F., Ori dei Cavalieri delle Steppe, Milan, 2007, p.125, item 10, for type.389 grams total, 37.3cm including stand (14 3/4"). Previously the property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market, 1970-1980; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10336-168739. Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 364

Late 2nd-early 3rd century AD. A complete bronze female type sports mask of Robinson's Type E and of Mater Castrorum type, composed of two parts: the face mask with female features, the lips slightly parted, nose with ventilation holes, openwork eyes with delicately pierced rings forming the irises, hatched detailing to eyelashes and eyebrows, the falling wavy hairstyle that of a Roman Matrona, adorned with diadems, garlands and other jewellery, the hair divided into two sections, the first section framing the face and the second section worn as a wig over the other, attachment holes to the lower edge; the back part of the mask covered with curly hair, a small bun at the nape of the neck, the short neck guard with holes for fastening the lining, a fastening rivet to the top of the skull flanked by two small horns. See Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975; Garbsch, J., Römische Paraderustüngen, München, 1979; D'Amato, R. and Negin, A., Decorated Roman Armour, London, 2017.890 grams total, 26-28cm (10 1/4 - 11"). From an important East Anglian collection of arms and armour; acquired from a Dutch private collection in the 1990s; previously in a Swiss family collection since before 1980; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10301-168686. As explained by Prof. A. Negin, female masks were the result of the ceremonial aspect of life in the Roman imperial army and were a cultural phenomenon. Consequently, it is rather difficult to interpret the purpose of each specific mask; however, in general, it is possible to discuss their basic functions associated with various ceremonial practices. Our mask, which finds assonance with a face-mask helmet of the same period from a private collection in Plymouth, Providence Academy, or with the three-part Pfrondorf helmet (D’Amato-Negin, 2017, figs.170, 262), could have been either of the well known types of female mask helmets in the Roman army, either a stylised representation of the Gorgon Medusa, or most probably representing the ‘Mother of the Camp’ (Mater Castrorum"). [2] [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition, restored.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 365

1st-2nd century AD. A relatively heavy bronze legionary helmet, consisting of embossed skull and wide neck-guard with flanged ear-guards, traced eyebrows to the front; the flat brow band with rivets a later addition; a copper rivet below the neck-guard for fastening an eyelet for the attachment of chin-guard straps, a rare feature; a battle sign derived from the blow of a stone or sling-shot bullet (glanda) is visible on the left upper rear part of the skull. See Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975; D'Amato, R., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier, London, 2009; Travis, H. & Travis, J., Roman helmets, Stroud, 2014.1.1 kg total, 28cm (11"). Formerly in the private collection of Mr M. B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1990s; believed previously in the Axel Guttman collection; accompanied by an expertise by military archaeologist Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10291-168755. Fine condition, restored. Rare.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 366

1st century BC-1st century AD. A relatively light bronze legionary helmet with bulbous domed bowl, small crest knob with flattened top, pierced at the centre for insertion of a crest pin; narrow neck guard with thickened rim; fastening clasps for the cheek-guards inside the bowl. See Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975, pls.6-25 pp.18ff; Schaaf, U., 'Etruskich-Römische Helme' in Antike Helme, RGZM Monographien 14, Mainz, 1988, pp.318-326; D'Amato, R., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier, London, 2009; Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, p.102; Travis, H & J., Roman helmets, Stroud, 2014.885 grams, 21cm (10''"). Formerly in the private collection of Mr M. B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1990s; previously in the Axel Guttman collection; accompanied by an expertise by military archaeologist Dr Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10299-168756. The use of the Etrusco-Italic tradition of the 'Montefortino' style helmet continued through the late Consular Age and into the early Imperial period, as shown on the Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus and on the monument of Flavius Mikkales. Fine condition. Rare.

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Lot 371

1st century BC-1st century AD. An iron military pugio dagger of period II, with prominent and rich decoration, comprising a short lanceolate blade with shallow midrib and acute edges, flat shoulders, narrow point, trapezoid-shaped guard with chamfered upper edges and two decorative studs, handle with central knob displaying a bronze stud, a semi-circular shaped pommel with two decorative studs; the hilt inlaid with copper and silver sinusoid and snake coils, the pommel with tetragammadion or solar symbol in the centre on each side, the central knob ornamented with chevrons. See Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., Roman military equipment, from the Punic wars to the fall of Rome, London, 1993; Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., Roman military equipment from the Punic Wars to the fall of Rome, London, 2006; Casprini, F. & Saliola, M., Pugio gladius brevis est, storia e tecnologia del pugnale da guerra romano, Roma, 2012, pp.120-121, for similar specimens.530 grams, 31.5cm (12 1/4"). Property of an English collector; acquired in Netherlands before 2000; accompanied by an archaeological report by military specialist Dr. Raffaele D’Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10405-169268. The end of the 1st century BC, was the golden period of the pugio, the side dagger of the Roman legionary, in which the pugiones, having lost any characteristics in common with the Celtiberian culture from which it originated, became typically Roman. The size of the pugio in comparison with the previous specimens, slowly increased, and the dagger was transformed into an elegant weapon, very often coloured and with highly decorated hilt and scabbard. The shape of the superior pommel, having abandoned the traditional circular shape, was now a semi-circular or 'inverted D' shape, with flat upper edge. Very fine condition.

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Lot 373

Early 8th century BC. A broad hammered bronze helmet of conical form, produced from a single sheet of metal, the front with a raised linear motive, three encircling ribs above the brim, the arched ribs with round pointed terminals forming abstract linear motifs resembling eyebrows; pierced holes to the edge for rings for cheek-pieces; mounted on a custom-made display stand. See Borchardt, J., Homerische Helme: Helmenformen der Ág?is in ihren Beziehungen zu orientalischen und europäischen Helmen in der Bronze-und frühen Eisenzeit, Mainz, 1972; Born, H., Seidl, U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995; Christie’s, The art of the warfare, the Axel Guttmann collection, Part I, Wednesday 6 November 2002, London, 2001, especially nr.11; Christie’s, The art of the warfare, the Axel Guttmann collection, Part II, Wednesday 28 April 2004, London, 2004, n.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; similar helmets in Borchardt, 1972, pp.103ff., esp. pl.35 cat.24,VI,1; Christie’s, 2004, p.35; other parallels in Gorelik, 2003, pl.LXI n.77, from the surroundings of the Lake Urmia, preserved in Tokyo, Museum of the Ancient East.2.5 kg total, 51cm including stand (20"). From a UK private collection, 1960s; accompanied by an archaeological report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10512-171102. It has been suggested by Born and Seidl that the abstract motif may represent either a lightning bolt, a pair of antlers, a sacred tree or possibly a stylised winged sun. One cannot exclude the possibility that it was a heraldic symbol (tamga) of some Urartian family. Fine condition.

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Lot 374

Early 1st millennium BC. A domed sheet-bronze shield panel with raised carinated knop to the centre, concentric bands of repoussé ornament including bosses, zigzags, vertical bars and arches with interstitial bosses (masks?), all with pointillé outlining; pairs of holes to the rim. 417 grams, 30.5cm (12"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market before 2000; believed to have been previously part of the Axel Guttmann collection. Fine condition, usage wear.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 375

8th-7th century BC. A broad hammered bronze military belt or cuirass band, the register decorated in chased low-relief with hunting scenes including a leaping lion, a mounted huntsman, a chariot with driver and bowman, a stylised tree with vertical florets, a rosette or sun-wheel; raised ribs between the friezes and to the outer edges; perforated around the edges for attachment to a leather lining; mounted on a custom-made stand. See ?????, ?.?., ?????????? VI-V ??. ?? ?. ?. ? ????? ?????????, ??, 1965; Born, H., Seidl U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995; Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian.1.3 kg total, 36cm including stand (14 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market before 2000; believed to have been previously part of the Axel Guttmann collection. Fine condition, repaired.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 376

7th century BC. A broad hammered bronze military belt or cuirass band, the register decorated in chased low relief with hunting scenes including groups of three leaping lions, goats and bulls; stylised trees and bushes; rosettes, gryphons, huntsmen on prancing horses and other motifs between raised ribs; perforated around the edges for attachment to a leather lining; securing to one edge; mounted on a custom-made stand. See ?????, ?.?., ?????????? VI-V ??. ?? ?. ?. ? ????? ?????????, ?A, 1965; Born, H., Seidl, U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995; Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003.1.6 kg total, 41cm including stand (16 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market before 2000; believed previously part of the Axel Guttmann collection. Fine condition.

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Lot 377

6th century BC. An iron dagger with hilt clad in sheet-silver and shaped as the head and neck of a horse, the mane of the horse in low-relief, large suspension ring to the side of the hilt; a sheet-silver mount with guttering mounted on a modern acrylic scabbard for display. See Schmidt, E.F., Persepolis II, Contents of the Treasury and other discoveries, Oriental Institute Publications Volume LXIX, Chicago, 1957; Zoka, Y., Arteshe Shahanshahi Iran Az Kurosh Ta Pahlavi (The Royal Army of Iran from Kurosh to Phalavil), Tehran, 1971; Head, D., The Achaemenid Persian Army, Stockport, 1992; Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran - The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tuebingen, 2006.495 grams, 43cm (17"). Previously in the collection of a respected gentleman, acquired before 1985; 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 number no.10486-171119. According to Zoka, the Achaemenids did not use long swords but instead used short swords called akenakes, the length varying between 40 to 50 cm. The akenakes of the Median Guards from the Persepolis reliefs (east face of the council hall), are represented as straight daggers with a short hilt, without decoration. But the akenakes of the king’s weapon bearer (southern relief from the Persepolis treasury) has a heavily decorated sheath. Most of the swords and daggers found in Persepolis are made in iron and have hilts made in bronze, but some finds from Persepolis suggest also the possibility of hilts were made in silver. Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 378

13th-7th century BC. An iron short sword with slender double-edged blade and pointed tip; bronze handle with narrow lower guard with incised chevron motifs, balustered handle, discoid pommel with curving edges, the upper face with incised chevron border; mounted on custom-made display stand. 1.6 kg, 67cm including stand (26 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; previously acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s; formerly in a 1980s collection. Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 380

6th century BC. A bronze long javelin with slender rectangular-section blade, three raised bosses to base; tubular tapering socket with herringbone and circumferential banding, raised bosses to the lower end with piercings; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.1 kg, 56.5cm including stand (22 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; previously acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s; formerly in a 1980s collection. Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 381

13th-6th century BC. A sword comprising a two-edged lentoid-section iron blade with rounded tip, narrow shoulders encased in a bronze sleeve extending to the grip with incised hatching; pommel formed as two inverted cups with ropework border. Cf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, p.64-5, for discussion of type.977 grams, 90cm (35 1/4"). Ex Cambridgeshire collection; formerly with Coincraft, London, UK, 1990s.[No Reserve] Fine condition.

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Lot 382

2nd millennium BC. A substantial bronze short sword with broad triangular, double-edged blade and central midrib; crescent guard to the shoulders; round-section grip with domed pommel and columnar finial. See Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, cat.35, for type.828 grams, 60cm (23 1/2"). Ex Abelita family collection, 1970s-2000s. Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 383

1st millennium BC. A substantial bronze sword with leaf-shaped blade with rounded shoulders, raised midrib with fullers and curved ends extending to the shoulders; lower guard with three projections and fluted grip, crescentic pommel formed of two plaques. 1.3 kg, 63cm (24 3/4"). Ex Abelita family collection, 1970s-2000s. Fine condition, chip to hilt.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 384

1st millennium BC. A bronze short sword comprising a broad triangular two-edged blade with median panel developing to a midrib above the point, lower guard with barbed shoulders and three projections to each face, columnar grip with blocks of raised pointillé detailing, conical pommel with four projecting spurs, acute point, ring-and-dot motif to both faces. Cf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, item 48 (where the bronze hilt is fitted to an iron blade).834 grams, 69.5cm (27 1/4"). Ex Abelita family collection, 1970s-2000s. Fine condition, hilt repaired.

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Lot 385

8th-7th century BC. A sword with leaf-shaped iron blade, double-waisted grip with transverse collar, the pommel formed as two crescentic iron spayed lobes, the hilt clad with bronze. See Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, p.384, no.20, for similar.639 grams, 48.5cm (19"). Ex Abelita family collection, 1970s-2000s. Fine condition.

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Lot 390

5th century AD. A double-edged sword with broad pointed tip, battle nicks to both cutting edges and traces of scabbard to blade; the gilt lower guard with inset cloisonné garnets and four cut malachite inserts; the bronze guard extending over the tang, a silver rivet to the upper part of the tang, remains of wooden grip; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Behmer, E., Das zweischneidige Schwert der germanischen Völkerwanderungszeit, Stockholm, 1939; Périn, P., Kazanski, M., ‘La tombe de Childéric, le Danube et la Méditerranée’ in Villes et campagnes en Neustrie, (Europe médiévale, 8) Montagnac, 2007, pp.29-38; Lebedinsky, I., Armes et guerriers barbares au temps des grandes invasions, Paris, 2001; Spier, J., Treasures of the Ferrell collection, Wiesbaden, 2010.2.9 kg including stand, 100cm (39 1/4"). Ex Mr M. B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1990s; previously the property of his grandfather since the 1960s; accompanied by an archaeological report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D’Amato; accompanied by an expertise by Dr. Noel Adams; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10302-168751. This sword belongs to a group of blades with wide guards, originating from Eastern Europe, particularly the Crimea and the Black Sea. The most striking examples are the sword of Dmytrivka (modern Ukraine, region of Zaporjjia), from a Hunnic grave, with the guard and its extending reinforcement collar inlaid with precious stones; the sword of Lermontovskaia (Russian Federation, North of Caucasus), from the grave of an Alan warrior (5th century AD), the guard inlaid with coloured glass; the Pokrovsk-Voskhod swords (Russian Federation, Region of Saratovo, on the Volga), from a Nomad grave of 5th century AD, with garnet cloisonné on a gold background (Lebedinsky, 2001, pp.121ff.) Three similar swords are kept in the Ferrell collection (Spier, 2010, pp.158, 162ff.) They are all characterised by a high and massive guard, often decorated with inlaid garnets or stones and glass. Fine condition.

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Lot 392

6th century AD. A spatha longsword and scabbard fitting; the iron blade lentoid in section with parallel edges and tapering tip, formed by the forge-welding process, with narrow shoulders and long flat-section tang pierced at the upper end; the gilt-bronze guard scaphoid in plan with shallow socket to the underside, applied gold cells containing almandine garnet cloisons cut in a stepped pattern; sheet-silver ribbed grip with collar to the lower end; modern leather-covered scabbard with ancient fittings including two animal-head mounts securing the ends of the strap-slider with garnet cabochon eyes, and sheet-silver lateral bars and chape with ribbed panel and hooked beak to the upper end, fitted to a reproduction leather scabbard. See Menghin, W., Das Schwert im Frühen Mittelalter, Stuttgart, 1983, for discussion and typology; Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item I.15.3, for garnets on the lower guard, I.38.1 and III.13.3.1, for blade and tang configuration, I.38.2 and VI.12.1.1, for scabbard fittings; Miche, M., Die Goldgriffspathas der frühen Merowingerzeit, in Deutscher, L. et al., Das Schwert - Symbol und Waffe, Rahden, 2014.1.1 kg, 1.09m (43"). Formerly in the private collection of Mr M. B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1980s; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10362-168780. The blade of the sword was made by the forge-welding process whereby different grades of iron are welded together in stripe, then a steel outer sleeve is attached to form the cutting edges. It seems likely then that the piece represents a marriage of ancient parts. Fine condition; blade edges notched.

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Lot 394

5th century AD. A bronze lower guard from a longsword, scaphoid in plan with remains of gilding to the surface; shallow ellipsoid recess to the upper face with inner ledge and broader recess to the lower face; series of nineteen rectangular garnet cloisons to the display side of the guard, the outer and middle one carved with a barley-twist design. Cf. Menghin, W., Das Schwert im Frühen Mittelalter, Stuttgart, 1983, items 2 (1d) (Pouan, France), 56 (Planig, Germany); The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item I.34.5 (Taman, Russia); Miche, M., Die Goldgriffspathas der Frühen Merowingerzeit, in Deutscher, L. et al., Das Schwert - Symbol und Waffe, Rahden, 2014, table 1 1 (Tournai), 9 (Flonheim), Table 2 1 (Arcy-Saint-Restitue), 5 (La Rue Saint Pierre), 9 (Berlin).41.9 grams, 84mm (3 1/4"). Formerly in the private collection of Mr M. B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1989; previously the property of his grandfather since the 1960s-1970s; accompanied by an expertise by Dr. Noel Adams; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10367-168757. [A video of this lot is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 413

Late 16th century AD or earlier. A colossal two-handed sword, possibly of German workmanship, straight double-edged blade with wide and shallow blood channel, two punched armourer's marks to each side depicting a Latin cross surmounting a sickle, both sides of the blade with incised inscription in uncial letters 'INRI' with reference to the titulum of the cross of Our Lord, letter 'I' on one side forming a monogram with the letter 'R' over the latter 'I'; two incised bronze figures to both sides, one resembling a stylised Passau Wolf; a wide diamond-section bronze quillon with rounded finials, possibly a later replacement; long tang with wooden grip, copper-alloy wire wrapping to each end; bronze facetted pear-shaped pommel, the rivet button possibly a later replacement. See Foulkes, C., Inventory and survey of the Armouries of the Tower of London, 2 volumes, London, 1916; Dudley, S.H.G., Armourers Marks, London, 1959; Dufty, A.R., European swords and daggers in the Tower of London, London, 1974; Newman, P.R., A catalogue of the sword, collection at York Castle Museum, York, 1985.6.4 kg, 2.08m (82"). Property of a Surrey gentleman; acquired from a Sussex collector; formerly from an old country house in East Sussex; accompanied by an academic report by military expert Dr. Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10319-169180. Within the inventories in the Tower of London Armoury, a large number of swords among the possessions of King Henry VIII are listed, such as the grete slaghe swords, which must have been the age denomination for the two-handers, like this specimen. The state of preservation of the blade is noteworthy, being without battle nicks and therefore indicating a sword which was not intended for use in battle, but probably employed only for ceremonial purposes. A clue to the age of this sword if offered by a comparable maker’s mark on a shell dagger of late 16th century (The Armouries, 1916, p.26) in the Tower. Fine condition.

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Lot 421

3rd century BC-1st century AD. A carved conglomerate head, ellipsoid in profile with jutting brow, prominent reserved eyelids over lentoid eyes, trapezoidal nose, crescent mouth with reserved teeth; the rear unworked; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Ross, A., Pagan Celtic Britain, London, 1967, for an overview of the iconography of pre-Christian Britain and Ireland; Rynne, E., Figures from the Past, Studies on Figurative Art in Christian Ireland in Honour of Helen M. Roe, Dublin, 1987.4 kg total, 32cm (12 1/2"). Found next to the Ridgeway path at Bradbury, near Swindon, Wiltshire, UK, in 1955; accompanied by a scholarly note TL5323 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz. Professor Ian Armit has written several books and papers on the significance of the 'severed head' motif in Celtic (Iron Age) culture. In Death, decapitation and display, the Bronze and Iron Age human remains from the Sculptor's Cave, Covesea, north-east Scotland, Cambridge, 2011; and later in Headhunting and the Body in Iron Age Europe, Cambridge, 2012, Armit demonstrates that the human head was symbolically associated with power, fertility, gender, and other social themes in the context of Iron Age Europe. The range of evidence for beheading and the subsequent curation and display of severed heads includes classical literary references, vernacular iconography and the physical, skeletal remains of the victims of this custom. The notion of a 'head-cult' which extended across most of Continental Europe and the islands of the North Atlantic, including the British Isles, has been suggested, used to support the idea of a unified and monolithic 'Celtic culture' in prehistory. However, head-veneration was seemingly practised across a range of Bronze Age and Iron Age societies and is not necessarily linked directly to the practice of head-hunting (i.e. curation of physical human remains"). The relations between the wielders of political power, religious authority and physical violence were more nuanced than a simple reading of the literary and physical evidence would suggest. The stone heads of Ireland are an enduring expression of this strong association between the human body and the numinous powers of the intellect. Fine condition.

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Lot 424

5th century BC. A bronze pommel with part of a hilt from a dagger, taking the form of a standard with two bull or boar heads, hatched crescent to the centre. See Moscati, S. (ed.), I Celti, Milano, 1991, pp.155ff, for similar styles of craftsmanship.22.9 grams, 46mm (1 3/4"). Property of a West Essex gentleman; formerly in a 1980s private collection. The decorative zoomorphic style recalls the 'masked' bronze fibulae of the Rhine graves of the Hallstatt princes, which date to circa 500 BC. Towards the end of the Hallstatt period, the graves of the Celtic princes reflected their social position and were replete with rich funerary deposits including golden discs, Etruscan bronze vessels, chariots, drinking horns and weapons decorated with zoomorphic elements. Fine condition.

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Lot 425

1st century BC-1st century AD. A bronze figure formed as a rider with legs spread as though seated on horseback, right arm raised, crested helmet and baldric to the right shoulder, impressed facial details. Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 320, for type.37 grams, 50mm (2"). From the private collection of a retired Suffolk, gentleman; found Suffolk, UK. Fine condition.

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Lot 438

9th-10th century AD. A bronze brooch and pendant assemblage comprising: two elliptical bronze tortoise brooches, each domed with raised ornament of four Borre-style faces with pellet eyes to the centre of a panel of body parts and hatching with two more faces to the narrow ends, wide flange, catchplate, pin hinge and pendant attachment bar to the reverse; two openwork triangular-shaped pendants each with an apex loop and five lower attachment loops, each pendant joined by three double-link chains; to one side two additional chains of double-links join a bronze equal-arm brooch with two trapezoidal arms, each with raised Borre-Style geometric ornament, masks to the ends and central domed panel, hinged pin to the reverse, pierced lug to accept the chain, and a bronze fire steel with two large perched ravens facing each other on the handle, remains of the iron striker below; to the other side two additional chains of double-links join an iron key and a pair of iron sheers. See MacGregor, A. et al., A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections, Oxford, 1997, item 4, for oval brooches; cf. Ewing, T., Viking Clothing, Stroud, 2007.527 grams total, 8.6-42cm (3 1/4 - 16 1/2"). From the family collection of a UK gentleman, by descent in the early 1970s; previously acquired before 1960; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10511-170962. Scandinavian women's display jewellery in the Viking age comprised both utilitarian and symbolic items. The brooches were worn high on the chest, supporting an apron-type overdress (hangerok) with the beads and chains strung between them and various small items attached. The pendants probably symbolised the authority of the female in the domestic sphere (key, coin, spindle whorl), and in husbandry (model animal, crotal bells, model knife"). [3] Very fine condition; professionally cleaned and conserved.

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Lot 439

9th-11th century AD. A large bronze neck-torc with twisted shank and loop terminals, each loop with a linked chain with three horse-head pendants with hanging bells and chains. 415 grams, 44cm including pendants (9"). From the family collection of a UK gentleman, by descent in the early 1970s; previously acquired before 1960.[No Reserve] Very fine condition.

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Lot 440

6th century AD. A matched trio of bronze disc appliqués, each a plaque with trilinear border surrounding a pattern of La Tène whirls and tendrils reserved against a red enamel field. Cf. Farley, J. & Hunter, F., Celts Art and Identity, London, 2015, item 162.52 grams total, 41-42mm (1 1/2 - 1 3/4"). Found Leicestershire, UK, 2020; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10440-168912. Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 441

9th-10th century AD. A bronze disc brooch with red enamelled figure of a bird reserved against a blue enamelled field; substantial pin, lugs and catch to the reverse. Cf. Heeren, S. & van der Feijst, L., Fibulae uit de Lage Landen. Beschrijving, Analyse en Interpretatie van een Archeologische Vondstcategorie, Amersfoort, 2017, p.231, type 89c, for discussion.12.69 grams, 50mm (2"). From an important private Dutch collection; formerly in the collection of Dr. Hans-Ulrich Haedeke (1928-2017), author of ‘Schmuck Aus Drei Jahrtausenden’ and who became the director of the Museum of Klingenmuseum in Solingen, Germany, in 1968; the collection was formed in the early 1960s; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10480-169960. Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 443

8th century AD. A bronze strap fitting with enamelled detailing; the plate comprising a rectangular upper panel with reserved rectilinear blocks on a red enamelled field, two crescent panels with a median curved bar and similar below with central pellet (ravens?), all flanking an ellipsoid void; lower panel with hole at the upper edge and notched lower edge; single pierced attachment lug to the reverse of the upper panel and two to the lower panel. Cf. O'Kelly, M.J., The Belt-Shrine from Moylough, Sligo, in The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, vol. 95, no.1/2, Dublin, 1965.6.46 grams, 25mm (1"). From an important private Dutch collection since the 1990s; formerly in the collection of Nicholas Wright, Kilburn, London. The item has the appearance of a one-piece strap or belt-buckle. The hole in the lower panel would allow a narrow tongue to be inserted and looped around the bar to form a free-moving tongue. However, the provision of attachment lugs on the rear of the upper and lower panels indicates that the whole piece was intended to be attached to a single strap, or possibly that two separate straps were joined using the piece as a connector. The strap(s) would have been narrow, since the aperture is only 11.5mm wide and the attachment lugs on the reverse are 10.8mm apart on the outer edges. The style of decoration is similar to that seen on Irish belt-shrines, such as the example from Moylough (County Sligo), and it may be that the piece once formed part of such a revered object. Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 444

11th-12th century AD. A bronze openwork appliqué or brooch frame formed as two figures standing side-by-side, one male with short tunic and one hand on his chest, the other female with ankle-length robe holding flowers(?) to her chest; the feet of both resting on a sleeping feline with head turned to face the viewer; hole to the male's hip to accept a securing stud or brooch pin; accompanied by a custom-made stand. For the design see Oldtidens Ansigt, Det kongelige Nordiske Oldskiftselska og Jysk Arkaeologisk Selskab, 1990, p.134, 138.26.4 grams total, 98mm including stand (4"). From the family collection of a UK gentleman, by descent in the early 1970s; previously acquired before 1960. The figures presented may represent the brother-and-sister deities Freyr (Lord) and Freya (Lady), and Freya's totemic animal the cat. The crossed hand on the chest is a puzzling symbol, possibly symbolising the gesture of a specific god, ritual act or blessing. Another similarity can be observed on rock art in Scandinavia, especially the image of a 'divine couple', a strong motif known from the late Iron Age depicted on many golden sheets called guldgubbers. Several scholars argue that this image represents the marriage of the god Freyr and giantess Gerd; however, it may also represent the union of Freyr with his sister Freya. [No Reserve] Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 445

9th-12th century AD. A bronze seated figure of a nude male with exaggerated genitals, hands resting on bent knees, incised Y-shaped detail on the chest, youthful face with moustache. 15 grams, 37mm (1 1/2"). Property of a Dutch gentleman; formerly in a private collection formed in Berlin, Germany; acquired on the European art market before 2000. The figure is dated to the Viking Age and has an erect penis, so it is assumed to be the god Freyr. This is due to an 11th century description of a phallic Freyr statue in the temple at Uppsala, but the identification is uncertain. It has also been suggested that the figure is a gaming piece. If it is the image of a god, it could be a small, devotional statuette of a type mentioned in Old Norse sagas. Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 446

6th century AD. A substantial bronze bow brooch comprising: triangular headplate flanked by two groups of two opposed bird-heads, inset garnet cabochons; broad bow with herringbone detailing; narrow triangular footplate with four lateral lobes, inset garnet cabochons; pin-lug to the reverse with catch and second pierced lug at the foot. Cf. Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item IX.6.5, for type.110 grams, 16.2cm (6 1/2"). Ex central London gallery; previously acquired on the European art market.[No Reserve] Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 449

9th-10th century AD. A bronze elliptical plate brooch with billeted border and low-relief knotwork bands, pin-lugs and catch to the reverse. Cf. Nerman, B., Die Vendelzeit Gotlands, Stockholm, 1969, pl.VII (5).12.6 grams, 50mm (2"). From a private Northwest country collection; formerly acquired in the late 1950s; accompanied by a collector's cataloguing slip.[No Reserve] Fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 450

11th century AD. A bronze scabbard chape with scooped upper edges and openwork decoration; the apex of each scooped edge formed as a beast-head in plan with pellets for the eyes and muzzle, facing figure with bear-mask and hair extending in multilinear loops, body similarly formed with interlaced limbs. Cf. Murasheva, V.V. Gnezdovo, Rezultati kompleksnikh issledovaniy pamiatnika, St. Petersburg, 2007, fig. 9, items 1, 2; Paulsen, P., Schwertortbänder der Wikingerzeit, Stuttgart, 1953, fig. 48-55.31.1 grams, 66mm (2 1/2"). Property of a professional collector; acquired before 1990.[No Reserve] Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 460

10th-12th century AD. A silver hollow-formed pectoral cross pendant with applied filigree hoops to the fusiform head, stylised face with circular eyes and beaked nose, beard developing to a dense interlaced panel of filigree and granulation. Cf. Franceschi, G., Jorn, A. & Magnus, B., Mennesker, Guder og Masker i Nordisk Jernalderkunst, vol.1, Borgen, 2005, pl.227.7.8 grams, 43mm (1 3/4"). From a private Northwest country collection since early 2000; previously from a UK private collection from the 1980s; accompanied by a collector's cataloguing slip. This piece bears many similarities to a hoard found on the island of Hiddensee in the Baltic Sea. The hoard consisted of a classic Borre-style disc brooch, a neck ring of four twisted rods and a necklace of ten stylised cruciform pendants, such as this example. The items constitute a single set of jewellery and seems to have been a gift from a Danish nobleman intended for presentation to a Slav woman of high standing. They were buried for safety en route, during some local emergency that resulted in it not being claimed. Evidence for the production of pendants in the Hiddensee style is provided by the remarkable find of forty-one bronze dies, as used for the manufacture of the pressed sheets onto which the filigree wires and granules were soldered. These dies were kept together in a leather bag, which had been dropped in the harbour at Hedeby. [No Reserve] Very fine condition.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 471

6th century AD. A gilt bronze great square-head brooch comprising: trapezoidal headplate with raised rectangular panel above the junction with the bow, hatched band and row of pellets within a raised frame, outer band of Style I profile heads with roundels to the rim, L-shaped angles at the upper corners and knop to the middle of the upper edge; shallow bow with raised median and outer ribs, punched roundels between; square panel between the bird-head lappets with vertical rib, Style I ornament between discoid lobes with punched roundels and large ellipsoid finial with rosette detailing; pin-lugs and catch to the reverse. Cf. Hines, J., A New Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Great Square-Headed Brooches, London, 1997; Nassington 33, pl.94b.88.3 grams, 12cm (4 3/4"). Found near Dullingham, Cambridgeshire, UK. As is usual with these large display brooches, no two are identical, but almost all the design features on it find parallels in the corpus published by Hines (1997"). The brooch sharing the greatest number of similarities is probably the example from Nassington, grave 33, (Hines's plate 94(b)) with a very similar layout to the headplate, including the angled 'braces' at the upper corners, the rosette lobes and finial. Hines assigns the Nassington brooch to his subgroup iv, to which the present brooch must also belong. Very fine condition, repaired.

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TimeLine Auctions Limited
Lot 479

Early 7th century AD. A silver belt buckle of the 'eagle' type comprising: a shallow domed loop with band of running scroll ornament, two cells flanking the tongue-rest and two more to the ends, each with an inset black glass cabochon; hollow-formed trapezoid-section tongue with incised saltires to the rear lateral faces, hooked forward end, two lateral cells with black glass cabochons, the whole representing the head and beak of a bird of prey; square buckle-plate with hinge to the forward edge, cabochon in cell to each corner and scrolled bands between, central chip-carved rectangle with raised cell and inset red glass cloison, four attachment rivets; to the rear edge, a stylised eagle-head with black glass cabochon eye in a cell, chip-carved neck, short curved beak; bronze rear mounting plate with reinforcing strips to the edges; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. Menghin, W., The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item I.18, a similar find from Koreiz, Ukraine; see also the same volume, p.75, fig.4, for the full suite of metal dress fittings.223 grams total, 16.5cm (20cm including stand) (6 1/2 (8)"). Property of a London businessman; acquired from Kai Schmidt, Cologne, Germany, 2006; accompanied by a copy of the original invoice; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10335-168734. Buckles such as the one offered here constituted part of the displays of finery associated with wealthy females. The buckle belongs to the Gothic presence in the area of the modern Ukraine or Crimea. Fine condition.

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