There are 350105 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribe1st-2nd century AD. A bronze oil lamp formed as an African head with stylised beard and moustache surrounding the crescent filler-hole of the mouth, nozzle beneath the chin, stub of the thumb-pad to the forehead, bottom plate absent. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 359. 231 grams, 10cm (4"). Ex an important Dutch collection; acquired on the European art market in the 1970s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
2nd-3rd century AD. A bronze chariot or architectural fitting comprising a bust of Bacchus with vine-leaf wreath to the hair and brow, robe secured at the left shoulder, group of vine-leaves around the shoulders; mounted on a custom-made stand. 813 grams total, 18.5cm including stand (7 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market, 1970-1980. Very fine condition.
5th century AD. A bronze steelyard weight filled with lead formed as the upper body of a Byzantine empress with jewelled tiered headdress, earrings, bead necklace, pleated palla or mantle; left hand holding a mappa as symbol of royal authority and right hand raised with two forefingers extended in a gesture of benison; underside with ferrous inclusions, possibly attachment studs for a bottom plate. See Weitzmann, K. (ed.) Age of Spirituality: Late Antique and Early Christian Art, Third to Seventh Century, New York, 1979, no.328. 4.0 kg, 20cm (8"). From an important collection of Byzantine art, the private collection of a Dutch businessman; previously in a European collection formed before 1980. A very similar weight is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York under accession number 67.154.1. The choice of the image of the empress for an official weight may have been to display fairness and equality before the law in commercial matters, as well as to bolster the authority of the imperial family. Very fine condition.
7th-9th century AD. A bronze oil lamp with globular heart-shaped body and projecting nozzle with wide wick hole; oil hole to the back with scallop shell lid hinged to the base of a large equal-armed cross with ring handle to the back; pedestal ring to the base, with two-stage graduated column and large rectangular base. Cf. Bailey, D.M. A Catalogue of the Lamps in the British Museum. IV. Lamps of Metal and Stone and Lampstands, London, 1988, item Q3800. 3.7 kg, pedestal: 27.5 x 14cm (1 3/4"). Ex an important Dutch collection; acquired on the European art market in the 1970s. [3] Very fine condition.
5th-7th century AD. A bronze oil lamp with a rounded body, flaring nozzle, hinged lid decorated with pawn-shaped finial and elaborate antler-shaped handle; stand with pricket which rises from shallow reel-shaped drip pan atop a baluster column decorated with moldings; leaf-shaped design to the base supported by three legs with lion-paw feet. See Buckton, D. (ed.), Byzantium, the Treasures of Byzantine Art and Culture from British Collections, British Museum, 1994, p.108-9, no.199 for similar type. 1.9 kg total, 32.5cm (12 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; part of a Mayfair collection formed in the 1970s and 1980s. Very fine condition.
6th-8th century AD. A bronze oil lamp with piriform body, broad flange rim to the nozzle, scallop-shaped hinged lid, loop handle and cruciform reflector, socket to the underside to attach a separate carrying handle with spike and disc above a balustered shank. 791 grams total, 10-16cm (4 - 6"). From a private Netherlands collection; previously in an old collection since before 1980. [2, No Reserve] Fine condition.
4th-5th century AD. A bronze oil lamp with carinated profile, short nozzle with segmented panel, hinged lid with knop handle, loop handle to the rear and ivy-leaf reflector. 336 grams, 12cm (4 3/4"). Property of a Dutch gentleman; formerly in an old collection formed in the 1970s. [No Reserve] Very fine condition.
10th-12th century AD. A bronze piriform oil lamp with flange rim to the nozzle, pelta-shaped spurs to the shoulders, hinged lid with lion-mask and aviform handle, loop handle to the reverse with openwork leaf-shaped reflector, basal ring and central square socket. 347 grams total, 14cm (5 1/2"). Property of a Dutch gentleman; formerly in an old collection formed in the 1970s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
6th-7th century AD. A bronze box with hinged lid, pierced tab to one short side and slot to the other, sprung fastener; the underside decorated with low-relief image of a stylised bird in flight between bands of ring-and-dot and billets; the lid with ring-and-dot bands to three edges, two low-relief bird-foot motifs. 97.8 grams, 71mm (2 3/4"). Property of a Dutch gentleman; formerly in an old collection formed in the 1970s. [No Reserve] Very fine condition.
13th-6th century BC. A bronze dress pin with openwork finial formed as a facing figure flanked by heads and necks of animals in profile, the so-called 'Master of Animals' figure, mounted on a custom-made stand. 168 grams total, 21cm including stand (8 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; previously with Boisgirard Antonini, Paris, sale 2, lot 51; formerly with Mahboubian Gallery, London, UK; acquired before 1972; accompanied by a copy of the relevant Boisgirard Antonini catalogue pages. Very fine condition.
1st millennium BC. A bronze figurine with linear body, stump arms and large domed head; disc eyes and triangular-section nose, hair with bull-horn finials; mounted on a custom-made stand. 115 grams total, 13cm including stand (5"). Previously in the collection of a respected gentleman, assembled 1965-2019. Fine condition.
1st millennium BC. A bronze figurine with short body, stump arms and legs, large domed heart-shaped head; roundel eyes and triangular-section nose, brow with bull-horn finials; mounted on a custom-made stand. 96 grams total, 10cm including stand (4"). Property of a central London gallery, acquired in 2007; formerly in a private family collection. Fine condition.
13th-6th century BC. A flat-section bronze plaque with lentoid head and tapering neck, bulb body and flared skirt, two repoussé breasts; mounted on a custom-made stand. 48.3 grams total, 88mm with stand (3 1/4"). Property of a European gentleman living in London; previously from an English collection formed in the 1980s. Fine condition.
1st millennium BC. A bronze figure of a ram standing with head erect; applied bosses to the hips and shoulders, applied collar, loop to the back; custom-made stand. 97.6 grams total, 65mm including stand (2 1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; previously with Boisgirard Antonini, Paris, sale 11, lot 20; formerly with Mahboubian Gallery, London, UK; acquired before 1972; accompanied by a copy of the relevant Boisgirard Antonini catalogue pages. Very fine condition.
1st millennium BC. A bronze figure of a stag standing with head erect, a bird perched on the rump; applied bosses to the hips and shoulders, applied collar, loop to the back; custom-made stand. 62.5 grams total, 70mm including stand (2 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; previously with Boisgirard Antonini, Paris, sale 11, lot 18; formerly with Mahboubian Gallery, London, UK; acquired before 1972; accompanied by a copy of the relevant Boisgirard Antonini catalogue pages. Very fine condition.
4th-1st century BC. A shallow bronze phiale with slightly flared rim; the body with four bands of repoussé petals forming a sun-burst, radiating from a central raised boss. See Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965. 327 grams, 21.5cm (8 1/2"). Ex an important Dutch collection; acquired on the European art market in the 1970s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
10th-12th century AD. A hollow-formed bronze figure of Buddha sitting with head and hands resting on his raised left knee. 330 grams, 11.5cm (4 1/2"). From the property of a London gentleman; previously in the private collection of the late David Gold, formed 1970s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Han Dynasty, 206 BC-220 AD. A bronze hu wine-jar, piriform in profile with ribbed body, bands of scrolled decoration to the foot and neck, flared mouth, domed lid with three S-shaped handles. 3.7 kg, 29.5cm (11 1/2"). Ex North London gentleman; formerly in a private collection formed between 1990 and 2000. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
10th-12th century AD. A knife with single-edge iron blade, slightly curved and with a swept edge, bronze grip formed as a drum-shaped column with ribbed bands, the pommel a collared monkey holding in both forepaws the head of an ox(?), the beast's legs draped around the handle and tail lifted to form a small loop; to the monkey's rear, a disc stud with monogram(?) below the tail. 211 grams, 21.3cm (8 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. Fine condition, blade chipped.
1st-3rd century BC. A bronze finger ring with scaphoid bezel, intaglio scene with rider on a galloping horse, carrying a spear. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 31 for type. 3.54 grams, 23mm overall, 20.55mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, USA 10 3/4, Europe 24.4, Japan 23) (1"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly with Mahboubian Gallery, London, UK; acquired before 1972. Very fine condition.
2nd-4th century AD. A bronze figure of a nude Dacian male wearing a calf-length cloak to his back, Phrygian-style pointed cap, holding a sword-hilt(?) in his raised right hand. 561 grams, 15.3cm (6"). Property of a North West London gallery; formerly in a 1980s collection. Fine condition, one lower leg absent.
2nd century BC. A bronze figure of Zeus (Roman Jupiter) standing nude with left arms extended balancing with two lugs to the forearm, right arm raised gripping a double-ended thunderbolt; the hair and beard in segmented hanks of curls. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 2. 501 grams, 19.2cm (7 1/2"). From a private Netherlands collection; previously in an old collection since before 1980. Very fine condition.
3rd-5th century AD. A bronze figure of Buddha standing wearing a loosely draped robe with belt and rosette fastener, beaded necklace, tiered headdress; left hand grasping a fold of cloth. 796 grams, 22.5cm (9"). From a North West London collection; previously acquired in the 1980s. Fine condition, right hand and feet absent.
9th-8th century BC. A bronze figure of a nude male standing with arms bent, paddle-shaped hands, legs conjoined to the knees, the neck long and thin with naive facial modelling; mounted on a custom-made stand. 59 grams, 85mm including stand (3 1/2"). Property of a French gentleman; previously in a private collection, Bayern, Germany. Very fine condition.
5th-4th century BC. A sheet bronze helmet of Chalcidian type with keeled bowl and carination above the brow, low neck-guard to the rear and raised flange rim extending to the D-shaped ear and eye-recesses; short lozengiform nasal with rim; three-looped hinge fittings to each side for attachment of separate cheek-guards; the outer face tinned for an imposing appearance and to create a glancing surface; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Masson, M. E., Pugachenkova, G. A. Parfi anskie ritony Nisy (Parthian rhyta from Nisa"). Al’bom illiustratsii (Album of illustrations), Moscow, 1956; Beglova, E. A., Antichnoe nasledie Kubani (Ancient heritage of Kuban) III, Moscow, pp.410-422 (in Russian); Dedjulkin A. V., 'Locally Made Protective Equipment of the Population of North-Western Caucasus in the Hellenistic Period', in Stratum Plus, n.3, 2014, pp.169-184; ????????? ?. ?., '????? ??????????? ??????? ?? ????????? ??????' (Sarmatian Age Helmets from Eastern Europe), in Stratum Plus, n.4, 2014, pp.249-284. 2.8 kg, 38cm including stand (15"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired in 2014 from David Aaron Gallery, Berkeley Square, London, W1; previously with Royal-Athena Galleries, New York, US; formerly in a private collection, London, UK; acquired prior to the mid-1950s; accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate report number S00142456 and a copies of the relevant Royal-Athena Gallery published catalogue pages. Fine condition.
Late 2nd-early 3rd century AD. A Roman bronze sport helmet of 'Pfrondorf Type' (type F of the Robinson classification of Roman cavalry Sport Helmets, Robinson, 1975, pls.367-375, pp. 126-127), with female features, possibly representing a gorgon (Medusa), comprising a two-part helmet with a back plate, the face piece originally with a removable inner mask; the skull embossed with stylised representations of hair along the sides and collected at the lower centre of the back to a chignon, the centre decorated by a blue enamel stone; on the upper part of the skull a two-headed snake, whose wide body is decorated with scales chiselled on the surface, long neck protruding on the two sides of the skull until the brow; the edge of the skull is decorated by punched triangles and a line representing the crown of the hair around the face; a small flat neck guard; a hinge is fastened through a pin the skull to the mask allowing it to be raised; the T-opening for the face was not always present in this type of helmet. See Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975; Garbsch, J., Römische Paraderustüngen, München, 1979; Born, H.,Junkelmann M., Römische Kampf-und Turnierrüstungen, Band VI, Sammlung Axel Guttmann, Mainz,1997; D'Amato R., A.Negin, Decorated Roman Armour, London, 2017; D'Amato R., A.Negin, Roman Heavy Cavalry (1), Cataphractarii and Clibanarii, 1st century BC-5th century AD, Oxford, 2018; this mask helmet belongs to the category of Roman Mask Helmets employed in the sportive games, acting also as military training, of the so called Hyppika Gymnasia described by Arrian of Nicomedia in his Taktika, written down during the age of the Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), however, these kind of very simplified masks were often used in battle as well, especially by the heavy cavalry of the catafractarii (D'Amato-Negin, 2018, p.30,36,38-40), the distinguishing features of this type of masked helmet, diffused in the Roman Army since the Late Antonine Age (second half of second century AD) is the removable central area of the mask covering eyes, nose and mouth and the division of the helmet in two parts on the line of the ears; the Pfrondorf specimen (Garbsch,1979, pl.26; Born-Junkelmann,1997, p.50; D'Amato-Negin, 2017, fig.168 a-b), in Stuttgart Museum, which gives the name to the typology, is the most complete and known of such specimens; three parts helmets are known from Danubian sites, like Ostrov (Romania, Robinson, 1975, pls. 370-373; Garbsch, 1979, pl.27), from the German Limes (Oberflorshtadt, Robinson, 1975, fig.129, p.108, D'Amato-Negin, 2017, fig.172c, p.169) and a magnificent specimen, preserved only in the skull, from the collection Axel Guttmann is kept at the Musée d’Art Classique de Mougins (D'Amato-Negin, 2017, fig.172a, p.169); a further splendid specimen, the mask only preserved, is kept in a large private European collection (D'Amato-Negin, 2017, fig.180, p.177"). 2.1 kg total including stand, 27cm (10 1/2"). From an important East Anglian collection of arms and armour; formerly in a Dutch private collection since the 1990s; previously in a Swiss family collection since before 1980; accompanied by a metallurgic analytical report, written by metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford, report number 144723/HM1364; 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. 144723-10011. This type of helmet is very rare in such fine condition. Helmets with a facial cut-out have often the female characteristic of Medusa, considering the psychological impact that this creature, with the power to transform men to stone. The apotropaic character of such divinity, inspiring terror on the enemies and confidence to the wearer, was part of the interpenetration of the divine world inside the human world, considered essential for the men who risked their life daily, who needed to feel the protection of the divine beings on the battlefield, or in the travel to the underworld. The main problem of these helmets with face attachment and three-part cutout for eyes, nose and mouth, is the question of the presence of the inner mask. Separate inner masks in bronze are known, some of them silvered (Robinson, 1975, pl.374, p.127, from Stadtpark Mainz), or with slender brows and finely pierced rings in the eye-opening (Robinson, 1975, pl.37,5 p.127, from Weisenberg"). There is no way of ascertaining whether or not our specimen was equipped with an inner mask, though it would appear to be quite possible that it was not, as there are no traces of holes in the point where, in the mask helmets of this typology, the turning pin for the attachment of the mask is usually visible. This suggest that our mask was conceived and used for a more practical use on the battlefield, without excluding its possible employment for the tournaments and the Hyppika Gymnasia. Very fine condition, some restoration. Extremely rare in this condition.
Early 3rd century AD. A sheet bronze mask from a cavalry sports helmet of Heddernheim or Worthing Type with repoussé detailing; the lower edge a flange with ropework detailing, disc to each cheek with whorl pattern, central trefoil void with perforations (breathing holes) to the chin, band of slanting bars above the brow imitating hair; the rim with five groups of attachment holes and lateral tabs to allow the mask to be secured to the outer elements of the helmet, and raised or lowered without removing it. Cf. Garbsch, J. Römische Paraderüstungen, München, 1978 item 53 (Frankfurt-Heddernheim helmet); Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975; Born, H.,Junkelmann M., Römische Kampf-und Turnierrüstungen, Band VI, Sammlung Axel Guttmann, Mainz, 1997; D'Amato R., A.Negin, Decorated Roman Armour, London, 2017. 221 grams, 20cm (8"). From an important East Anglian collection of arms and armour; formerly in a Dutch private collection since the 1990s; previously in a Swiss family collection since before 1980; accompanied by a metallurgic analytical report, written by metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford, report number 144724/HM1361; and an academic report by Roman 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. 144724-10012. The three-part helmets, which form a very important part of the Roman third century helmets, especially of the cavalry ones, have been variously classified by the scholars of the Roman military. Besides the type F of Pfrondorf typology Robinson (1975, pp.126-131) individuated the types G (Hedderneim type) and H (Worthing type"). All three present the characteristic of having a skull and a face mask with a removable central area of the mask covering eyes, nose and mouth. The type G, however, differently from the previous type F, presents a high curved crest on the skull and a front face, imitating that of the Apulian-Corinthian helmets, the type H being of pseudo-Attic shape (Garbsch, 1979, pls.28-29; Born-Junkelmann, 1997, pp.59-63, 106-108; D'Amato-Negin, 2017, pp.106ff., fig.175-181"). The surviving examples of H typology (Worthing helmet, s. D'Amato-Negin, 2017, fig.177 lett.d) suggest the idea that a mask was not always used to protect the face. This could be sometimes achieved by the framed face part of the helmet. In our specimen the missing of the skull does not allow to understand if the face-guard belongs to the Hedderneim or Worthing types: but the missing of fastening elements of the inner mask on the face-guard points towards the second category. According to the classification of M. Kolert, these helmets belong to the III type of mask helmets. The German scholar supported the theory that the main feature of all these helmets was their three-part design and cheek-pieces, or the replacing face part with a cut-out and a mask that was sometimes inserted into it. Most probably this specimen is from a battlefield. The piece is in fine condition. The face-guard is largely complete and comparatively plain. It has an opening in the centre to expose the mouth, nose, and eyes while protecting the brow, cheeks, and chin. The two parts of the helmet were in fact held together either by a hook-and-eye arrangement or a small hinge. Once the two halves of the helmet were in place, they would have been secured to the wearer’s head by lacing at the neck, which was attached to the loops on either side of the neck of the skull. The helmet is relatively scarce in the decoration, but the spiral deserves attention for its connection with the solar cult. The spiral represents the rotary movement of the sun, the spiral is probably the oldest known symbol of human spirituality connected with the sun, together with the swastika or tetragamma. The sun traces a spiral shape every three months in its travels. The connection was also visible in the Celtic art, where the representation of the spiral also follows the path of the sun, describing the movements of the heavenly body over the course of a solar year. The third century was characterised by the great diffusion, among the Roman soldiers, of the solar cult, the Sol Invictus, its symbols often represented on arms and weapons as an apotropaic element of protection. Such cult was diffused especially with the Severan Dynasty, who had connection with the Syria due to the women of the Dynasty, especially Julia Domna, wife of the Emperor Septimius Severus, Julia Mesa, mother of the Emperor Alexander Severus and Julia Soemia, mother of the Emperor Elagabalus. This imperial Syrian family favoured the cult of the Sun, especially in the eastern part of the empire, by building even greater temples in honour of the God Helios, like in the ancient Heliopolis (actual Balbeek) and in Rome. Fine condition, some restoration. Extremely rare.
Late 2nd-early 3rd century AD. A beautiful pair of Roman bronze greaves (ocreae) for cavalry or infantry, providing defence for the shins and knees, each with a separate and articulated knee-guard; the first greave showing a slight pronounced central ridge, the lateral tabs for attachment of the leather strings still visible, both on the greave and knee-guard, the offset edge strips are perforated for attachment of the strap eyelets, while on the upper edge is visible the device for the attachment of the knee joint hinge; on the second greave is an undetected leg splint with slightly more marked central ridge, here the offset edges show the remains of four rivetted tabs to which were attached large rings for the attachment straps, the upper edge with the usual recess for the hinge to attach the knee protection; both greaves show at the lower end a slightly pronounced ankle protection. See Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975; Garbsch, J., Römische Paraderustüngen, München, 1979; Kolnìk, T., Rímske a Germ?nske Umenie na Slovensku, Bratislava, 1984; Junkelmann M., Reiter wie Statuen aus Erz, Mainz, 1996; Born H. / Junkelmann, M., Roman Combat and Tournament Armours - Axel Guttmann Collection, vol. 4, Mainz 1997; Bishop M.C. & Coulston J.C.N., Roman military equipment, from the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome, Oxford, 2006; D’Amato, R., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier, London, 2009; D’Amato-Salimbeti, Bronze Age Greek Warrior, 1600-1100 BC, Oxford, 2011; D'Amato R., Negin A., Decorated Roman Armour, London, 2017. 400 grams total, 44-44.5cm (17 1/2"). From an important English collection; acquired in the 1990s; accompanied by an academic report by Roman military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Greaves (ocreae) were known as protective equipment as early as in the epics by Homer (Ilias, X, 8, 613), with archaeological finds coming from previous and contemporary Achaean warrior graves (D’Amato-Salimbeti, 2011, pp.36-38"). The use of the greaves inside the Roman army is already attested for the age of the Kings, in 6th century BC, provided for the first class of Hoplites forming the Servian army (Dionysius of Halicarnassus, IV, 16-17; Livy, I,43"). Originally the Romans used mainly Greek and Etruscan pieces which protected the whole lower leg, fashioned around the lower part of it and anatomically fitting the leg. Since the late Consular age were introduced greaves of simpler design, which were made of a bronze plate laced to the front of the leg only, sometimes fitted with a separate knee-guard (D’Amato-Negin, 2017, pp.48-49"). Based on the iconographic sources, centurions in the Roman Imperial army wore decorated greaves (Robinson, 1975, pls.442,445), highly decorated greaves for war and sport games (Hyppika Gymnasia) are recorded in the Roman Archaeology from the second to the early fourth century AD (Garbsch, 1979, pls. 3, 11, 38 and fig. 5, p.11; D’Amato-Negin, 2017, figs.111, 115-124"). Based on the images on the metopae of the memorial in Adamclissi, short, plain unadorned greaves evidently came to be used again by the heavy armoured legionaries (milites gravis armaturae) at the beginning of the second century AD, in order to protect their right leg which was not covered by the shield, or both legs (D’Amato, 2009, p.150, figs.205a, 205c"). It is notable that the greaves of the soldiers were shorter than those of the officers, and that the fastening system was partly different. The knee protection was usually missing: the upper part of the greave was cut horizontally just under the knee and fastened by means of a complicate lacing system at the back of the legs. The Adamclisi specimens have been confirmed by archaeology in later specimens datable to the third century AD and found in Kunzing (Robinson, 1975, pl.510"). The use of greaves for infantry and cavalry continued for the whole second and third century AD on, where pairs of greaves came to be used by heavy infantry, as shown, for example, by the image of a pair of greaves on the tombstone of Severus Acceptus of the Legio VIII Augusta (Bishop-Coulston, 2006, fig.111, p.174), or, for the cavalry, by the recent undecorated specimen found on the Abrittus battlefield (D’Amato-Negin, 2017, fig.125"). Undecorated greaves like our specimens have been found in Eining (early third century AD, München, Archäologische Staatssammlung), Lower Italy (second century AD, Brussels, Musée du Cinquantenaire), Hebron (early second century AD, Jerusalem, National Museum), Oberstimm (second century AD, ingolstadt, Museum) (D’Amato-Negin, 2017, figs.112-113"). Other similar specimens from private collections, like the recently published greaves belonging to the Axel Guttmann Collections (Born - Junkelmann, 1997, S.128, Abb. 82, Taf. XV; Junkelmann, 1996, Q 22"). Most probably our specimens are from a battlefield or from a sacrificial grave of a Germanic warrior. Undecorated bronze or iron examples found elsewhere have a vertical ridge along their whole length in the middle and a more-or-less tight bend, copying the outline of the calf (D’Amato-Negin, 2017, figs.113–114) on both sides, there are two or three bronze rings rivetted to them to insert leather straps to attach them to the leg. Since these greaves have a straight edge at top and bottom, they do not protect the knee or ankle, and due to this we can classify this design as an infantry version. This seems logical, as the infantryman’s knee would have been covered by his fairly large shield and on the basis of images showing similar pieces on infantrymen. A more complex shape, such as, for example, from the greave from Eining, has a curved bottom edge or protruding side parts to protect the ankles, like in our specimens. In addition, in such examples there is a hinged knee part with side loops for attaching a strap. According to J. Garbsch, protection of the knee and ankle proves that it is a cavalry version. This should be not considered an absolute rule, because iconography shows also the employment of full protective greaves, fitted with knee guards, also from infantry, since the second century AD (stele of the optio Aelius Septimus, from Brigetio, s. Kolnìk, 1984, fig.30"). [2] Fine condition, usage wear with some restoration.
1st millennium BC. A hand-forged iron spearhead with lentoid-section tapering two-edged blade, flange wings to the neck, broad socket with fixing holes. See Ehrenberg, M. Bronze Spearheads from Berks, Bucks and Oxon, BAR 34, Oxford, 1977 for discussion of type. 715 grams, 58.4cm (23"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the 1960s. The spearhead resembles in shape and overall design the bronze example from Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England, of Middle Bronze Age date (British Museum accession number 1903,0623.1"). The iron construction indicates a date at least 1000 years later than that item, in the late 1st millennium BC. Very fine condition; professionally cleaned, restored and conserved.
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze finial comprising a square-section spike and vine-lead plaque with two lateral holes, lateral wings, split socket and securing collar. See Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N. Roman Military Equipment From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome, London, 1993. 488 grams, 42.5cm (16 1/2"). From a private Netherlands collection; previously in an old collection since before 1980. [No Reserve] Very fine condition.
8th-3rd century BC. A bronze wine strainer with broad pan and inturned sidewall, tapering handle; the pan with central pierced rosette and notched rim, the handle with low-relief figure in draped mantle advancing with one hand raised on a beaded piriform panel with finial ivy-leaf and berries, suspension ring with antenna finial, incised knot motif. 183 grams, 26cm (10 1/4"). Property of a European gentleman living in London; previously from an English collection formed in the 1980s. Fine condition, cracked.
3rd-5th century AD. A bronze chamfron panel with discoid upper and pelta-shaped lower section, concentric incised rings, lateral pierced lobes, two repoussé domes with incised rings; possibly the centre-panel from a three-part chamfron. 298 grams, 38cm (15"). Part of a West London collection; formerly the property of a European gentleman living in Germany; acquired in Germany in the 1990s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
10th century BC. A bronze short sword with lentoid-section triangular blade, square guard, hilt with socket to each face. Cf. Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, item 41 for type. 230 grams, 34.2cm (13 1/2"). Property of a North London gentleman; formerly in a West German collection, Cologne. Fine condition.
Amarlu, 2nd millennium BC. A bronze leaf-shaped spearhead with median round-section rib extending to the neck, tapering tang with bent tip and square stud; blade with incised fullers 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 295. 760 grams, 55cm (22"). From a private Netherlands collection; previously in an old collection since before 1980. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Late 3rd millennium BC. A bronze dagger with leaf-shaped blade, two fullers to each side of median rib; slightly curved guard, finely decorated handle with high-relief pellets and geometric lines; with custom-made stand. See Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006. 192 grams total, 25cm with stand (9 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired London art market, 1970-1980. Fine condition.
13th-6th century BC. A bronze cudgel with tubular body, ribbed collar, flared rim and panels of raised herringbone ornament; mounted on a custom-made stand. 565 grams total, 29cm with stand (11 1/2"). Property of a North London gentleman; formerly in a West German collection, Cologne. Fine condition.
Circa 1330 AD. A heavy iron war mace, with hexagonal prismatic head surmounted by an iron button, the faces of the hexagon divided by lines preserving traces of gilding; mounted upon an iron staff with traces of silver, characterised by a ring of entanglement at the top and three concentric circles below. See ??????? ?.?. ???????-????????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? XIV - ?????? XV ??. // ??????????? ????? ? ??????? ? ???????? ????? ??????, ?., 1983; Head, 1984, Armies of the Middle Ages, volume 2, Worthing, 1984; Nicolle, D. Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era, 1050-1350, Islam, Eastern Europe and Asia, London 1999; Bashir, M. (ed.), The Arts of the Muslim Knight, The Furusiyya Art Foundation Collection, Milan, 2008. 1.5 kg, 45.5cm (18"). From an important private family collection of arms and armour; acquired on the European art market in the 1980s, and thence by descent; believed originally from Eastern Europe; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. The war mace belongs to the group of the eastern war maces used by the Mongol armies in 13th century. In particular it is an interesting parallel to a mace published by Gorelik (1983, pl.27, n.67), having the same hexagonal prismatic shape, dated at the 13th century AD. It is also the same kind of mace that was brandished by the Il-Kh?nid Persian-Mongol warriors (scene of the battle of Ardashir and Artavan) in the very famous manuscript Demotte Sh?hn?mah, made in ?dharbayj?n in about 1335 AD (Nicolle, 1999, figs.632J"). The mace, perhaps because of its ancient associations, acquired a legendary quality, second only to the swords in the Islamic world, and therefore also of the Ilkhanid Turco-Mongol warlike state, that with the Sultan Ghazan adhered to the Islam in 1295 AD. Amongst Mongols and Turkish warriors, the mace became a symbol of office, and maces, gilded like this one, played a role in ceremonies which significance was a mixture of religious and military elements. From a military point of view, it was an extremely effective weapon in close combat, particularly from horseback against an armoured opponent, where a heavy mace could easily damage even the thickest steel armour and crash heads and helmets at the same time (Bashir, 2008, p.235"). The Ilkhanid Empire was originally part of the Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan, its Persian branch created by Hulegu, grandson of Genghis Khan himself. Settled in Persia, the Mongols fostered the growth of cosmopolitan cities with rich courts and wealthy patrons, who encouraged the arts to flourish. At the death of Kublai Khan the Ilkhanid Khanate was de facto independent, until his dissolution in 1335 AD. The core of its army were the powerful armoured cavalrymen, of Mongol, Turkish and Iranian origin, covered with Khuyagh armour, a lamellar or laminated corselet, mainly in iron, sometimes in bronze; they wore hemispherical helmets with reinforced brow, a plume tube or a spike, and mail, lamellar or leather aventail, round shields and offensive weapons like sabres, bow and arrows and naturally war maces (Heath, 1984, pp.114-115"). Most probably our specimen is from an excavation. The piece is very rare and is in excellent condition. The mace is a type of short-arms, a weapon of impact-crushing action, consisting of a wooden or metal handle (rod) and a spherical pommel (head), which can be smooth or studded with spikes. The mace is one of the oldest types of edged weapons, a direct heir to the club, which began to be used in the Stone Age. It became widespread in the late Middle Ages, which was due to the excellent 'armour-piercing' qualities of this weapon. The mace was great for breaking through heavy armour and helmets. The heads of some maces were huge. Mace has several significant advantages over bladed weapons. Firstly, a mace (like a hammer) never got stuck in enemy armour or shield, which often happened with a sword or a spear. With the help of maces, it was possible to completely deprive the enemy of the shield, inflicting several strong blows on it. In this case, either the shield broke, or its owner received a fracture of the limb. You can also add that the blows of the mace almost never slide off. Secondly, you can learn to use a mace much faster than a sword. In addition, these weapons were relatively cheap and almost 'unkillable'. The mace has a significant advantage in comparison with the war hammer: the enemy can be beaten with either side of the weapon. The mace was an essential weapon according the Islamic Fur?s?yah during close combat, and some military treatises are devoted to this weapon (for example, the 'Kit?b Ma?rifat La?b al-Dabb?s f? Awq?t al-?ur?b wa-al-?ir?? ?alá-al-Khayl,' held in Paris, BNF MS Ar. 2830 and BNF MS Ar. 6604; Istanbul, Ayasofya MS 3186; on the fur?s?yah treatises dealing with the art of the mace, see also al-Sarraf, 'Mamluk Fur?s?yah Literature and Its Antecedents'"). The most common name for the club/mace was the Persian 'gurz' and its derivatives: garz, horz and gargaz. The written sources describe four methods of conducting battle: throwing at an enemy from a long distance: close combat at a distance proportioned to the length of the club; rotation of the mace when a warrior was surrounded by enemies; defeating the enemy in front of you. The maces or clubs with huge heads and relatively short poles were suitable for throwing. Our mace belongs to a simplified form of maces, a sort of cube-shaped tops with six cut corners transforming it in hexagon (type II"). All the specimens are in iron and date back to the 12th–14th centuries. A very widespread category of finds is made up of type II maces, mainly found in the excavations of the Southern Russian cities that were destroyed during the Tatar-Mongol invasion. They were also found in Novgorod, Moscow, and in the peasant Kostroma barrows. Usually, maces were considered to belong to the nobility, but the simpler specimens probably were widely available as weapons for ordinary soldiers, citizens and peasants. This is also supported by the simplicity and sometimes carelessness in the decoration of the maces themselves. Fine condition.
1st millennium BC. A group of six bronze axeheads, each a central bulb with one horizontal and one vertical curved edge; mounted radially on a custom-made revolving display stand. 11.3 kg total, 57cm overall (22 1/2"). Property of a central London gallery; formerly acquired on the London art market in the 1980s. [6] Extremely fine condition.
2nd century BC-1st century AD. A substantial bronze rectangular plate mount with enamel-filled cells to the face, reserved La Tène triskele and ring; enamel in red, yellow and blue; two attachment loops to the reverse and inked accession number '029-A0004'. 28 grams, 37mm (1 1/2"). Found Mashbury Parish, Essex, UK, in the 1980s; collection number 029-A0004; accompanied by a copy of the Portable Antiquities Scheme report number ESS-049E64. Very fine condition, cleaned and conserved. Rare.
3rd century BC-1st century AD. A bronze mask of elongated form with ridged hair, domed piriform eyes, straight nose, chevron mouth and ridged beard to the chin. 37 grams, 70mm (2 3/4"). Property of Mr J.D. a German collector; formerly found in Bavaria; collection number Div 36; accompanied by a copy of the German export licence. Extremely fine condition. Excessively rare.
3rd century BC-1st century AD. A bronze terret with curved trials and spurs to the upper face, raised disc toggle with shallow cell to the face, reserved triskele with yellow enamel pellets. 61.2 grams, 39mm (1 1/2"). From a private Netherlands collection; previously in an old collection since before 1980. [No Reserve] Very fine condition.
2nd century BC-1st century AD. A bronze strap-distributor formed as a wheel with three spokes, enamel-filled cell to the hub. See Green, M. The Wheel as a Cult-Symbol in the Romano-Celtic World, Brussels, 1984. 16.3 grams, 31mm (1 1/4"). Found near Chelmsford, Essex, UK, in the 1980s; collection number 054-A0001. Fine condition.
2nd-1st century BC. A bronze figure of a horse and rider, the horse formed with legs fused, crescent(?) above the brow, the rider with right arm raised; later securing pins to the saddle. 40.5 grams, 55mm (2"). From a private Netherlands collection; previously in an old collection since before 1980. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Loading...
