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Click here to subscribeByzantine Bronze Reliquary Cross Pendant. Circa 9th century. A complete reliquary cross with hinged front panel engraved with the image of Jesus with a cross above. The reverse has the image of a saint. Size: 77 x 30 mm, Weight: 32.2 grams.Reference: Early Christian and Byzantine Art. Exh. cat., Baltimore Museum of Art. Baltimore, 1947, no. 302b.
Rare Georgian Bawdy Erotic bronze pipe tamper, Circa 18th century. A rare example of a cast bronze pipe tamper depicting on one side, a lady figure bent over forward with her clothes pulled up exposing herself from the waist down. The reverse has a similar image but in the form of a gentleman in the same pose. Both standing on a cross bar that joins the shaft of the tamper.Size: 65.20 mm, Weight: 49.32 grams.Ex A. Smith Collection.
Rare 17th Century Charles I and Henrietta Maria Pipe Tamper.Pipe tamper, Circa 17th century. A cast bronze pipe tamper formed of a thin tear-drop shaped handle and thin tampering shaft. One side is detailed with the bust of Charles I and the other his wife and queen, Henrietta Maria. An unusual example. Size: 51.52 mm, Weight: 10.60 grams.Ex A. Smith Collection.
A collection of artefacts. Circa 2nd century - 18th century AD. A good collection of mixed artefacts from various periods. One piece to note is the Roman bronze anthropomorphic handle detailed with a face terminal at the base and a full head finial that would have sat above the rim of the vessel. A very interesting lot.
The Collection of The Late Egyptologist Scott Fraser (16)- 2 Syrian bowls- Syrian oil lamp- Roman British pot- Roman wine bottle poss Turkish- Roman head- Pyramid of Giza fragment- two shabti- Embellishment of pharaoh- black Egyptian plaque- Roman oil lamp- bronze cow- Coptic weave fragment- pharaoh note
The Incredible Leonard McGrath Galway Dual Star G.A.A. Medal Collection An important and unique collection of All-Ireland Medals, Provincial Medals and other related material relating to Leonard Mc Grath, to include: (a) A 9ct gold shield shaped and pierced Medal with cross hurls on the obverse inscribed "Erins Hope" the reverse inscribed "Jun. H. League 1917"; (b) A 9ct gold circular Medal, the obverse with engraved Provincial Arms (Connaught) and Shamrocks, the reverse inscribed "Connacht Senior Finals Championships 1922, won by Galway (c) A 9ct gold All-Ireland Winners Medal Celtic Cross with pierced decoration, central harp and Eire across, the reverse inscribed "All Ireland Hurling Championship 1923, won by Galway - Leonard McGrath," hallmarked. · Having been perennial whipping boys for years, the Tribesmen came of age, they beat Kilkenny in the Leinster Final 5-4 to 2-0, Galway claimed their first title with a resounding 7-4 to 4-5 victory over Limerick. (d) A circular 9ct gold Medal with pierced and engraved design, the obverse with shield of Connaught Coat of Arms and inscribed "Connradh Connacht," the reverse inscribed "Senior Football Championship 1925, won by Galway," hallmarked. (e) A 9ct gold All-Ireland winners Medal, Celtic Cross with central shield shaped harp and Eire across the centre, the reverse inscribed "All Ireland Football Championship 1925, won by Galway ( L. Mc Grath) hallmarked. · Galway played Mayo in the Final in Tuam, in front of a crowd of 16,000. The result was a score line of 1-5 to 1-3, in a championship that saw both Cavan and Kerry expelled due to ineligible players. This however brought All-Ireland glory to Galway for the first time. (f) A shield shaped 9ct gold Medal the obverse engraved with Provincial Coat of Arms for all provinces the centre with raised football design, the reverse inscribed "Inter Provincial Football Competition 1925 - Won by Galway" hallmarked. * This match was arranged to generate funds for the lost Revenue for the G.A.A. due to the unsettled championship of 1925. It was known as the Replacement All-Ireland. (g) A 9ct gold circular Medal, the obverse with side profile of a Queen, and inscribed "An Bainriogan Tailte," the reverse "Aonach Tailteann - Baile Atha Cliath 1924 - Football L.J. McG (Leonard Mc Grath) hallmarked. · This was the first of this revival Irish Sporting and Cultural Festival which was an International event. It also ran in 1928 and 1932, before its abrupt ending. (h) A circular silver gilt Medal, the obverse depicting a Rugby scene with figures, the reverse "I.R.F.U." C.B. (Connaught Branch) Senior League 1926 - 27, hallmarked. · The 1926/1927 Championship saw Galwegians beat U.C.G. 3-0. This was their second title of 4 in a row. (i) An engraved and pierced Celtic Cross design silver Medal, inscribed "Feis Breandáin Naomhra, Baile Ioca Riach (Ballinasloe) 1925, hallmarked (j) A Celtic Cross design silver Medal, inscribed "Feis Bhreandaina Beal a Atha na Shiaigh 1926, hall marked (Faller, Galway) (k) A bronze circular Medal "Sligo Feis Ceoil" decorated with typical motifs (uninscribed). (l) An attractive silver cross shaped pierced and engraved Medal with centre shield shaped Relief inscribed "L.Mc.G", the reverse inscribed 'S.M.L.C. 2 Years', hallmarked. (m) A large bundle of Musical Scores including 'The Rose of Tralee'; 'Down by the Sally Gardens'; 'The Green Hills of Ireland', and many more; mostly inscribed by Leonard McGrath. Used during his competitions at various singing events and Feis Ceoils. Leonard McGrath was born in Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia. As a young boy he returned to his parent's native land and was reared in Galway. He qualified as a teacher in 1918 at St. Patrick's College. In 1922 he came to the fore and was a member of the Galway Senior Hurling XV, winning a Connaught title. He was subsequently chosen and starred at full forward to win Galway's first Hurling All Ireland. He showed his versatility in sports by also been chosen to represent his adopted county in football and played on the winning 1925 team, which also was the county's first title in Football. He became the county's first dual star, and only player to achieve success in both codes. McGrath is a member of an elite group of only 16 players to achieve this accolade, in the G.A.A.'s long history. He also played rugby and was a member of the winning Galwegians team beating U.C.G. 3-0 in the 1926-27 Season. This brought with it a caveat, he was duly expelled from the G.A.A. for playing a 'Foreign Sport'. Off the field he was a highly regarded singer and participated in many Feis Ceoils, and other singing competitions. He excelled in Golf and Cricket. A true all-rounder on and off the field, a forgotten member of Irish sport. A Unique Collection. Provenance: By direct Family descent. (1)
BYZANTINE PROCESSIONAL CROSS EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, 6TH CENTURY A.D. cast bronze, composed of four flaring sections, each with double circular terminals, the horizontal arms with smaller rings on the underside which would have once held the bronze alpha and omega, presented on a bespoke stand (Dimensions: 49.5cm tall) Provenance: Private collection, Europe, acquired prior to 1972
MOSSI LION BURKINA FASO cast bronze, shown standing, with open maw, upturned ears and coffee-bean eyes, with fine detailing to the mane, long torso and curling tail (Dimensions: 45.5cm long) Provenance: Acquired 1950's by a French government official in Burknia Faso, thence by descent Private collection, Scotland
COLLECTION OF BRONZE AGE AND LATER BLADES AND IMPLEMENTS NEAR EAST TO WESTERN EUROPE, BRONZE AGE TO cast and worked bronze, the collection consists of a range of weaponry, hair pins and utilitarian objects; one Western European early Bronze Age flat axe, one Near Eastern middle Bronze Age spearhead with curled tang, one Luristan late Bronze Age axehead, one Near Eastern Bronze Age arrowhead, two Near Eastern Bronze Age dagger blades, one with integral tang, the other with perforations and seperate rivets, a pair of European Bronze Age hairpins, one with a spiral head the other with a cup design and two Roman doctors tools (12) (Dimensions: longest 24cm) (Qty: 12) Provenance: Private collection, Scotland
URARTIAN BELT URARTU, IRON AGE III, C. 7TH CENTURY B.C. engraved bronze, of typical form, with incisions along the border for attachment to a leather backing, decorated with images from mythical scenes; goats, lions and otherworldly creatures are hunted by archers , the panels are separated by images of flowers, palm and date trees, mounted on a plexiglass backing, with an Axel Guttmann collection label reading "AG. R 248" (Dimensions: 42.5 cm diameter) Provenance: Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, exhibited at Mr. Guttmann's private museum outside Berlin, collection number AG. R 248. Note: For a similar example please see The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 52.123.
PERSIAN PHILAE ACHAEMENID EMPIRE, 6TH - 4TH CENTURY BC hammered bronze, produced from a single sheet of bronze, the exterior with a series of petals in fine repoussé work, the base of the bowl with a raised section (Dimensions: 21cm diamter) Provenance: Private collection, United Kingdom, reputedly acquired at a Swiss auction house in the 1950's.
LURISTAN HORSE BIT CHEEKPIECE ZAGROS MOUNTAINS, EARLY 1ST MILLENIUM B.C. cast bronze, at the centre stands a horned deity, flanked at either side by mythical beasts that he appears to be taming or mastering, his midriff forms the loop through which the bit would have been placed, presented on a bespoke mount (Dimensions: 12.5cm tall) Provenance: Private collection, United Kingdom, acquired 1990's. Note: For a similar example please see: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, accession number 1961.33.
ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN HELMET PERSIA, C. 4TH - 5TH CENTURY A.D. hammered and applied bronze, of domed form, decorated with seven boss-shaped elements independently affixed to the front, interior marked with inventory number "393" (Dimensions: 21 cm tall) Provenance: Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 26th September 1980, Lot 186 (a scan of the original catalogue page can be provided upon request).
GREEK GREAVE GREECE, 4TH CENTURY B.C. hammered bronze, to protect the left shin, with four perforations along the edge for the attachment of leather straps (Dimensions: 39cm long) Provenance: Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, exhibited at Mr. Guttmann's private museum outside Berlin
ANCIENT GREEK HELMET OF ILLYRIAN TYPE ARCHAIC PERIOD, 600 - 550 B.C. hammered bronze, domed helmet with a pair of raised parallel ridges, each with smaller ridges at the outer edge, with long, triangular cheek pieces and flaring neck guard, the borders with rounded studs and sections of bronze wire (Dimensions: 23cm tall) Provenance: Private collection, Europe, acquired 1980's. Private collection, United Kingdom Note: Passed from father to son, helmets were amongst the most prized items of the ancient hoplite. This striking example belongs to the class known as Illyrian. It is distinguished by the open face without a nose guard and parallel ridges running along the top intended for the attachment of a crest. Though found across the ancient Greek world, it is most commonly encountered in the modern Balkan states which correspond to ancient Illyria. Though the Illyrian tribes adopted it en masse , the first known examples were uncovered much further south on the Peloponnese and date to around 700 B.C. The shape of the Illyrian evolved over time to offer improved neck protection and allow better hearing in battle. Scholars now recognise four subgroups which span from 700 – 400 B.C. The present example belongs to type III and dates to 600 – 550 B.C.
APULO-CORINTHIAN HELMET SOUTHERN ITALY, C. 350-300 B.C. hammered bronze, with two small eye holes, nose guard and dual raised brow ridges, neck guard behind, the interior with collection label "AG 512" (Dimensions: 26.5 cm long) Provenance: Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, exhibited at Mr. Guttmann's private museum outside Berlin, collection number AG 512. Sotheby's, London, Antiquities, December 1985, lot 130 Published: Born, H. 1993. Restaurierung Antiker Bronzewaffen. Note: The famous Corinthian helmet was popular throughout the Ancient Greek world on account of its ease of production (from a single sheet of hammered bronze) and the fearsome visage it presented to the enemy. We see here the Italic variant, known as an Apulo-Corinthian. Unlike the classic variety, the Apulo-Corinthian was worn on the top of the head like a cap. This is clearly evident in the present example, where the aperture for the eyes is far too small to have been functional and was therefore purely decorative. Scholars now believe that the Greek Corinthian helmet was always worn pulled back over the head other than in the immediate melee conflict due to the extreme heat suffered by the wearer. Therefore the development of the Italic variety reflects how the original Corinthian was worn the majority of the time. The early Italic examples feature a far closer design to the Corinthian, with open eyes and a nose-guard raised in relief. As time went on, these details became mere decorations on the face as we see here. As such, the later Apulo-Corinthian still reflect the influence on their origins but more accurately demonstrate the reality of how they were worn.
ROMAN BRONZE HORSE WESTERN EUROPE, 2ND - 3RD CENTURY A.D. cast bronze, shown at a gallop, the front legs raised, the mouth slightly agape, bridle and mane finely modeled, with an open cavity on the back, presented on a bespoke mount (Dimensions: 11.5cm long) Provenance: Private collection, Germany, acquired 1980's
OVER LIFESIZE ROMAN ARM 1ST - 3RD CENTURY B.C. gilt bronze, a fragment from an over lifesize statue, depicting the right arm, bent at the elbow, presented on a bespoke mount (Dimensions: 42cm long) Provenance: Private collection, Germany, acquired 1980s. Gorny and Mosch, Munich, 24th June 2014, lot 346. Private collection, United Kingdom
ANCIENT CELTIC SHIELD WESTERN EUROPE, 5TH CENTURY B.C. hammered sheet bronze, of circular form with an outer border of small raised dots, moving inwards a series of concentric ridges to a central dome and large bronze rivet projecting from the centre, pierced with multiple perforations, raised on a bespoke mount (Dimensions: 40.6cm diameter) Provenance: Private collection, Swizerland, acquired prior to 1990 Bonhams, New Bond Street, London. Antiquities, 1st May 2013, Lot 240 Private collection, United Kingdom Note: This shield is the work of a master metalsmith active at some point in the 5 th century B.C. producing arms and armour for the elite of society. Of circular form and produced from a single sheet of bronze; the design features a series of concentric bands rising into a domed boss at the centre decorated with a repoussé border of small dots. Its design suggests an origin in Ireland or perhaps the British Isles, indeed a similar example can be found in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin, no. IA:1872.15. As an actual defensive weapon, it is wholly impractical for use in battle. A sword or spear would comfortably punch through the sheet bronze and research shows that whilst the vast majority of shields found dating to this period are constructed from metal, actual shields used in combat would have most commonly been formed of bark or hide. Instead, this piece was created as a work of art, to be worn and displayed on particular occasions, festivals and religious events. In a society where worked metal remained a highly valuable commodity, the shining polished bronze would have dazzled and impressed. The individual who owned this shield would have been of chiefly rank, their status demonstrated by their ability to commission and own prized objects such as this. The most important aspect of this shield though is not its original design, but the series of diamond shaped perforations which are visibly present across the entire body. These are spear marks - but as previously mentioned this was not an object to be used in combat. In order to understand what is going on here we must look into ritual practices that there were written about in contemporary Roman sources and have been attested by modern archaeologists. The ancient Celts were a polytheistic society, their deities, much like those of the Mediterranean, required constant appeasement through sacrifice and gift giving. This gifts provided to the gods needed to be items of the highest value possible to society, so metalwork; with its rarity, beauty and complex production was often selected. A number of studies have demonstrated that the deposition of artefacts in sites linked to water; rivers, lakes and springs - was a particularly widespread custom amongst the Celts in the Bronze and Iron Ages. In fact, we continue this practice today when we throw coins into wells to make a wish. In short, water was seen as a threshold or gateway to the divine world where the gifts could be received and prayers answered. However, before the object could be given, first it had to be broken or “killed”. Swords would be bent, razors or shears blunted and shields pierced. To explain this practice, one theory contents that the gift could not be given until the “power” of the object was broken and its spirit removed. A more modern parallel would be the Polynesian concept of mana , the life force that permeates not only people, but objects. Any article worn or owned by an individual can become imbued with mana through their accomplishments and personality. In this context, ancient Celtic shields such as the present example such would have been seen as personal to such an intense extent that it is hard to comprehend. They were not simply the property of an individual, they were an indivisible part of them. As such, this remarkable shield is a window into both ancient Celtic craftsmanship and ritual practice more than 2,500 years ago.
An unattributed WW2 group of Canadian campaign medals & U.S. Bronze star (7). All in original boxes un named as issued. 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Canadian Overseas Service Medal 1939-1945 & United States Bronze Star. The first 6 all Canadian issue medals, all medals un-named as issued & housed in their original award boxes.
Nazi Germany Legion Condor Spanish Cross, with swords in bronze, by CE Junker, Berlin. Pre war quality, die struck, multi piece badge, with remains of bronze wash, mainly to recesses, with pebbled maltese cross, LW eagle on sword pair, with central rotating swastika. Concave reverse shows CEJ stamp to centre, with wide vertical pin and resoldered large catch.
WW2 German lot of Kriegsmarine & Luftwaffe badges (7). Includes Black Wound badge, Narvik Shield, early tombak type, with 3 of 4 fixing pins/no cloth, Krim shield, 1 fixing pin /no cloth, Coastal Artillery Badge, by Schwerin/no catch, High Seas Fleet Badge, Day Fighter Clasp, in bronze by Osang, these last two swastikas filed off. Includes Weimar era Kyfhauserbund gilt medal.
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