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Lot 431
9th-10th century AD. A bronze lantern formed as a cube with four flared feet, openwork panels to the side walls, a balustered knop to each corner of the upper face, hinged bell-shaped openwork domed lid with knop handle; reserved calligraphic text to the upper face, incised text to the sides. See von Gladiss, A. Glanz und Substanz. Metallarbeitung in der Sammlung des Museums für Islamische Kunst, Berlin, 2012, item 26 for similar design. 2 kg, 27cm (10 1/2"). Property of a London, UK, gentleman; formerly with Pars Gallery, London, W1, 1990s. Lanterns of this type were usually made for mosques or the homes and palaces of the wealthy. The inscriptions usually comprise the name of the maker along with blessings for the safety and well being of the owner. This particular type of lantern was was popular in the Seljuk areas of Anatolia, Asia Minor, and were heavily influenced by Byzantine styles that were used as part of ecclesiastical furnishings, such as the silver gilt lantern now in the treasury of Saint Mark's, Venice. Fair condition.
Lot 447
Late 1st-early 2nd century AD. A bronze 'Kostol Type' sports helmet mask with strong realism, 'Type A' of the Robinson classification of cavalry sport helmets (Robinson, 1975, pl.309, p.112), showing the portrait of a youthful African male, possibly that of the Mauri Prince, Lusius Quietus; with broad forehead, high cheekbones, short, wide nose with wide mouth and small, pierced almond-shaped eyes; locks of hair on the head in a series of semi-circular bands; rear edge of mask pierced for attachment of the leather lining; the wide eye-holes terminate with flanges representing the eye-lids; traces of burning are visible on the forehead, nose, around left eye and right cheek. See Robinson, R., The Armour of Imperial Rome, New York, 1975; Garbsch, J., Römische Paraderustüngen, München, 1979; D'Amato R., Negin, A., Decorated Roman Armour, London, 2017; the mask helmet finds a good parallel in the Kostol helmet (Garbsch,1979, pl. 23,3), although differs for the kind of portrait; it belongs to the category of Roman mask helmets usually employed in the sportive games, acting also for military training, of the so called Hippika gymnasia, well described by Arrian of Nicomedia in his Taktika, written down during the age of the Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD); mask helmets were produced in all of the Empire until at least the late 4th century AD, they were however also destined to be worn in real combat, as shown by the gravestone of Flavinus at the Hexham Abbey (Robinson, 1975, pl.307, p.106; D'Amato-Negin, 2017, p.150, fig.158), and Sextus Valerius Genialis at Cirencester (D'Amato-Negin, 2017, p.82, fig.78); the 'Type A' to which the mask belongs, is extremely rare, and it shows mask helmets still strongly influenced by the Hellenic taste; the face and the hair are treated with strong realism, in a extremely naturalistic manner, different from the classical form seen in the similar helmets of Alexander Typology; as supported by Robinson these category of helmet was probably realised by artists trained as sculptor specialists in portraiture; however, differently from the Kostol helmet in which the whole skull acts also as a bowl, here the mask was destined to be attached to a second part, in a similar way to the other well known portrait helmet mask known from Stockstadt (Garbsch,1979, pl.20,3), and to the masks of 'Alexander Type' (D'Amato-Negin, 2017, pp.194"). 1.59 kg total including stand, 29cm without stand (11 1/2"). Property of a South London collector; previously in a German collection prior to 1980; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, and 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, number 93511. Most probably this specimen is from a grave of a soldier or military commander. The helmet is hemispherical and imitates abundant curly hair which is made in a realistic fashion. In addition, the helmet is unusual due to the fact that its design and appearance demonstrate a combination of several traditions in manufacturing of military headgear, like the Kostol one. The bottom edge of the helmet could be also bent in the form of a hem and have a continuity of holes intended either to attach the lining, or to suspend some sort of neck protection in the form of a lamellar or scale aventail, which is not typical of Roman helmets, worn in the Roman army only by soldiers of Eastern auxiliary units. The mask portrait is the one of a young Dipartimento Studi Storici università di Ferrara Pagina 2 African prince, or man, in an age in which Africans (Numidians) were highly considered in the Auxilia military forces serving under Trajan and Hadrian. It should well be remembered the important tasks accomplished by the Mauri of Lusius Quietus during the Trajanic wars against the Dacians, and also during the repression, in the last years of the Trajan's Empire, of the Jewish revolt in the so-called Kitos war (116-118 AD"). We cannot exclude that the mask was destined to a member of his family, or to a portrait of the Prince himself, considering the similarity of this portrait with the presumptive image of Quietus on Trajan's Column (Cichorius, scene LXIII"). According to Arrian of Nicomedia, a Roman provincial governor and a close friend of Hadrian, face-mask helmets were used in cavalry parades and sporting mock battles called hippika gymnasia. Parades or tournaments played an important part in maintaining unit morale and fighting effectiveness. They took place on a parade ground situated outside a fort and involved the cavalry practising manoeuvring and the handling of weapons such as javelins and spears. Parades would have taken place at several times in the year, especially at religious festivals and on days marking the birth, and accession to the throne, of the Emperor. Hippika gymnasia were colourful tournaments among the élite cavalry wings of the army, the alae. Both men and horses wore elaborate suites of equipment on these occasions, often in the guise of Greeks and Amazons. Calvary helmets were made from a variety of metals and alloys, often from gold-coloured alloys or iron covered with tin. They were decorated with embossed reliefs and engravings depicting the war-god Mars and other divine and semi-divine figures associated with the military. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]Very fine condition, minor restoration and edge loss. Excessively rare.
Lot 448
Archaic Period, 6th century BC. A bronze helmet raised from a single sheet, the bowl of domed form with two parallel corrugated ribs to the upper face, rectangular slot for the face, short flaring neck-guard developing behind the cheek-protectors. Cf. Bottini et al. Antike Helme. Handbuck mit Katalog, Mainz, 1988, pp.382-8, nos.5 and 6; for a finer example of such a helmet from the collection of the late Christos G. Bastis, see Sotheby's New York, 9 December 1999, lot 79. 836 grams, 24cm (9 1/2"). Property of an Oslo gentleman; formerly in a Norwegian arms and armour collection; previously with Numisma Mynthandel, Norway; acquired from a Mayfair gallery, London, UK, in 2007; previously in the private North American collection of Bruce Ferrini, Ohio, USA. A horse-hair crest would have been fitted between the ridges. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]Fine condition, some restoration.
Lot 449
Early 4th century BC. A Chalcidian helmet formed as a bronze bowl with carination to the crown, flared edges at the ear openings and above the eyes; a short nasal with flared rim and rear flange neck-guard; the cheek pieces connected to the bowl by a five-part hinge, each D-shaped with contoured forward edge. See Born, H. Die Helme des Hephaistos. Handwerk und Technik griescchischer Bronzen in Olympia, München, 2009 for discussion. 783 grams, 33cm (13"). Property of an Oslo gentleman; formerly in a Norwegian arms and armour collection; previously with Numisma Mynthandel, Norway; acquired from a Mayfair gallery, London, UK, in 2007; previously in the private North American collection of Bruce Ferrini, Ohio, USA; 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 133614. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition; some restoration.
Lot 450
Early 4th century BC. A bronze Chalcidian helmet formed as a bowl raised from a single sheet with carination to the crown and repoussé bands at the ear-openings and brow; between the contoured brows a stub nasal; to the rear a narrow flange neck-guard; the cheek pieces connected to the bowl by a five-part hinge with two loops on the cheek piece, repoussé sickle-shaped ornament and hole for attachment of a securing thong. See Born, H. Die Helme des Hephaistos. Handwerk und Technik griescchischer Bronzen in Olympia, München, 2009 for discussion. 908 grams, 23.5cm (9 1/4"). From a London collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000; formerly in old German collection formed before 1990; 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 598/131499. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]Fine condition, restored.
Lot 451
Early 4th century BC. A bronze helmet of Chalcidian type formed as a bowl with carination to the crown and everted bands at the ear openings and brow; between the contoured brows a narrow nasal with remains of a rivet; two hinged cheek-flaps each with a rivetted reinforcing band, holes along the outer edge for attachment of a fabric liner; to the rear a narrow flange neck-guard with reinforcing strip. See Born, H. Die Helme des Hephaistos. Handwerk und Technik griescchischer Bronzen in Olympia, München, 2009 for discussion. 992 grams, 25cm (9 3/4"). From a London collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000; formerly in old German collection formed before 1990. 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 599/131500. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]Fine condition, restored.
Lot 452
Late 8th century BC. A broad hammered bronze belt or cuirass band decorated in chased low relief; the decoration in three horizontal registers, divided by a double line, embossed, the three rectangular bands with stamped figures of leaping lions, gryphons and ibexes with interstitial clusters of bossed pellets and rosettes; to one end a larger panel with pellet border, a standing profile gryphon and a faravahar winged disc; raised bands framing the panels and the whole belt; fastening holes for the leather lining to the edges are visible; mounted on a custom-made display frame. Cf. ?????, C. A., ?????????? 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. 2 kg, 124cm including frame (49"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired from his father's collection formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, and 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 604/131386. The belt-cuirass preserves a decoration substantially identical to one of the belts of the big collection of Caucasian and Urartian items preserved in the Rezan Has Muzesi of Istanbul, representing the same decorative pattern. The Istanbul belt still keeps the fastening ring on one edge, lost in our specimen. Particularly interesting is the presence, in the Istanbul belt, of the same bosses and rosettes dividing the images of lions, ibexes and gryphons. This allows a more certain date for the belt, probably made by the same Urartian workshop. According to Gorelik, by comparison with some armour-belts preserved in the Tokyo museum of Ancient East (2003, pl.LIX, n.3,4,6) showing the same pattern, the date of such belts can arrive until the 7th century BC. Protective belts in the Caucasus were very popular, especially among Urartians. The early samples of such belt armours appeared in Middle East, at the beginning of the first millennium BC, introducing an original fixing system on the waist, instead of the simple ties: a hook was first sewn separately to one end of then belt, and later became part of a massive bronze buckle furnished of a ring, rectangular in shape. Such plaques were attached not only to bronze belts, strengthening them in front, but also to the leather ones, judging by the numerous finds in the graves, where some buckles were found. Later the belt became part of a full panoply, protecting the waist, while scale, lamellar or leather armour protected the main body. The piece of armour with hits magnificent decoration is an outstanding evidence of Urartian drift and honing technique of the highest quality. Caucasian bronze belts are usually richly ornamented, often by punching or embossing, and the degree of decoration increases with the width of the belt. This directly indicates that the increased decorativeness and ideological saturation of the different subjects are directly related to improving the quality of the warriors profane functions, and all together increases its reliability, its protective functions. Therefore, it is impossible to agree with the statement of S. A. Yesayan that the bronze belts were especially destined to a ritual function, and not used in war activities. This magnificent belt originally encircled the waist of a warrior or a nobleman. Covered with an abstract geometry, it was emblem of rank, power and worldly stature. It served as armor of the warrior and was used for the insertion of daggers, knives and grindstone. The ends of the belt were provided with one or two ring holes for the fastening around the waist. Very fine condition, secured in sections. A very beautiful, complete specimen with magnificent decoration.
Lot 453
8th century BC. A broad hammered bronze belt with three horizontal sequences, the panel decorated in chased low relief with three rectangular bands showing lozenges inside, with dots embossed inside each lozenge; beside this are five decorative registers with horses to the left, and horsemen alternated with horses on the right, followed by geometric motives and a further line of horses; the edges are decorated on the borders by three bands of pearled dots; the triple ribbed dotted border is preceded, on both sides, by triangles and dots horizontally arranged; on the edges are visible the holes for the fastening to the leather lining; on the right side fragments of the attachment of a riveted loop; mounted on a custom-made display frame. This belt-cuirass is similar to a specimen preserved in the Rezan Has Muzesi of Istanbul. The decoration of stylized warriors is similar to a Caucasian belt from Stepanavan, published by Gorelik (2003,pl.LVIII n. 59); also see Born H., Seidl U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995; and Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003) in Russian. 3.6 kg, 92 x 46cm (36 1/4 x 18"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired from his father's collection formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, and 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 603/131390. This Urartian or Caucasian cuirass-belt is unusual with the embossed rosette decoration. This piece of armour, with its geometric decoration in the form of four three-point bands bordered by triangles, is an outstanding evidence of Urartian drift and honing metalworking technique, and is of the highest quality. This magnificent belt originally encircled the waist of a warrior or a nobleman. Covered with an abstract geometry, it was emblem of rank, power and worldly stature. The borders were originally reinforced with a further bronze lining. It served as armour of the warrior and was used for the insertion of daggers, knives and grindstone. The ends of the belt were rounded and were provided with one or two ring holes for the fastening around the waist. The kingdom of Urartu, originally a confederation of numerous tribes from Eastern Anatolia, was one of the most powerful states in the Ancient Near East during the first half of the first millennium BC, constituting one of the most fierce rivals of the Assyrian Empire. During the 8th century the Urartians clashed with Assyrians and eventually Iranians trying to expand from nowadays Northern Turkey and Armenia, into Azerbaijan, Kurdistan and the Euphrates region, in search of silver, copper and iron ores for their very prolific metal-smithing industry. Their material culture was particularly warlike, and the belts like the specimen illustrated here, were highly ornamentally decorated, and were used in war as body protection and in peace as a symbol of a warrior's rank. The Urartian army consisted of infantry, outstanding cavalry, and powerful chariot units. In combat, warriors wore armour made up of tied bronze plates or iron scales, sewn onto a soft base worn in combination with broad bronze girdles. Tall pointed iron helmets, breastplates, or pectorals, and accompanied with bronze shields or leather targets with bronze bosses, completed their defensive equipment. Fine condition, repaired.
Lot 454
Early 1st millennium BC. A rare hammered bronze shield, slightly convex and still showing good detail; the surface shows a decoration in repoussé, with, beginning from the centre, concentric images of triangles, dotted outlines and dancing warriors or hunters disposed in a circle; after a further line of other dots and triangles the circular surface is interrupted by the four surviving protruding corners (originally eight), each of them decorated with vertically oriented geometrical patterns of dots, triangles and herringbone motives; the disposition of the protruding parts represent the solar disc; the symbolism of the shield represents and is especially and first of all connected with the rays of the sun rays and the heavens; like shields found in Luristan, this one presents an openwork border, and originally having a smaller umbo (boss) at the centre; according to V. I. Abaev the Ossetic wart or according to G. Bailey ?art belong to a large group of words deriving from the ancient Indo-Iranian word var (or war) which means ‘cover’ or ‘protection’; from it also derives the Avestan terms for the designation of the shield v?r??ra?ra, the Ancient-Iranian *vr?dra; in ancient Iran in fact one of the most ancient designation of the shield is v?r???ra (Encyclopaedia Iranica under voice Shield); mounted on a custom-made display frame. This shield finds a good parallel in a similar but complete specimen preserved at University of Missouri Museum of Art & Archaeology, and with a specimen of the ex-collection Axel Guttmann (Christie's,2004, cat.41, pp.36-37); a similar round bronze shield, date-able to the 10th century BC, one of the most ancient of the Iranian metal shields, was found in Luristan, this shield, (Melikian-Chirvani, pp. 6-8, fig.2) has like our specimen a skirting along the edge (openwork border), an umbo in the centre, and relief depictions of fantastic creatures; also see H. W. Bailey, '?riana. Dress and Equipment,' in Orientalia Suecana 4, 1955; and V. I; Abaev, Istoriko-ètimologicheski? slovar’ osetinskogo yazyka (Historical-etymological dictionary of the Ossetic language), vol. III, Moscow, 1989; and A. S. Melikian-Chirvani, Iranian Sun Shield, in Bulletin of the Asia Institute, N. S., 6, 1992, 1993; and Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 2004; and Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr, Bronze and iron weapons from Luristan, Antiguo Oriente: Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Historia del Antiguo Oriente 7, 2009. 6.6 kg, 97cm including frame; shield: 84cm (38; shield: 33"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired from his father's collection formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, and 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 602/131393. The kind of decoration seems to be more ancient than the quoted samples from Missouri University and Guttmann collection. Moreover it is the only known shield showing a procession with human patterns. Although such weapons are generally classified as 'parade' weaponry such a concept was absolutely extraneous to the Ancient World. The rich and noble aristocrats of the Luristan, Elamites, Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites, went to battle splendidly equipped and used magnificent bronze armours. The art of Luristan can be described as the art of nomadic herdsmen and horsemen with an emphasis on the crafting of small, easily portable objects, among these a great number of bronze weapons. The techniques used for making bronze weapons in Luristan included: casting with open moulds, casting with close moulds, and casting with lost wax process. For metal sheets used for quiver plaques and bronze protective belts or shields, they used the hammering technique (?akošk?ri"). Fair condition, several repairs and museum restorations. Excessively rare, the only known example with a procession of warriors.
Lot 456
5th-6th century AD. A two-edged sword comprising a lentoid-section iron parallel-sided blade with broad pointed tip; bronze rectangular lower guard with gilding to reverse and garnet cloisonné to the obverse, tubular bronze grip with rectangular cell and inset garnet cloison, biconvex agate disc with washer and retaining pin through the tang; mounted on a custom-made stand. For garnet cloisonné lower guard see Menghin, W. Das Schwert im Frühen Mittelalter, Stuttgart, 1983, item 47 (Arcy - St. Restitue, France ) and 56 (Planig, Germany, grave 1"). 4.6 kg total, 87cm including stand (34 1/4"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s; 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 134792. Very fine condition. Battle notches to the edges.
Lot 460
2nd millennium BC. A bronze two-edged sword of Type Wilburton with lentoid-section lanceolate blade and stepped edges, notched ricasso, waisted hilt with T-shaped finial, holes for attachment of a wooden grip; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Burgess, C. & Colquhoun, I. The Swords of Britain, Prähistorische Bronzefunde, Ab. IV, vol.5, Munich, 1988, plate 27, item 163 for type. 1.06 kg including stand, 51.5cm (20 1/4"). From a private Scottish collection, and ex Thomas Riddick; found County Monaghan, Northern Ireland. Very fine condition.
Lot 466
1st millennium BC. A bronze akinakes comprising a tongue-shaped lentoid section blade with incised vertical bands and scroll detailing to both faces, ricasso with palmette and other motifs, chipped lower guard with lateral lugs and two animal motifs either side, short grip and papyrus-stalk pommel. 530 grams, 43.5cm (17"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. Fine condition.
Lot 475
1st-3rd century AD. A military knife comprising a single-edged iron blade with scooped back, bronze hilt with volute-scroll baluster, the grip columnar with feather detailing, pommel an eagle's head with curved beak. 222 grams, 28cm (11"). Property of a London collector; acquired on the London market, 1990s-2000s. Very fine condition.
Lot 478
6th-5th century BC. An iron short sword comprising a leaf-shaped blade with midrib, bow-shaped lower guard, flat grip and T-shaped pommel; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, pp.72-75 for discussion. 2.3 total, 63.3cm including stand (25"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s. Very fine condition. Professionally cleaned and restored.
Lot 495
10th century AD. A substantial bronze pommel cap of Petersen's Type H with defined lateral recesses forming lobes, the surface enhanced with applied bands of silver wire; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Peirce, I. Swords of the Viking Age, Woodbridge, 2002, pl.VI for type. 210 grams, 75mm including stand (3"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in an old UK private collection. Mainly fine condition, usage wear. Scarce.
Lot 500
10th century AD. A bronze chape for a sword's scabbard, heater-shaped with lug to the point and scooped upper edges; to each broad face a low-relief design of a stylised animal with segmented body and limbs; tip of the iron blade and portion of the wooden scabbard remaining inside. Cf. Paulsen, P. Schwertortbänder der Wikingerzeit, Stuttgart, 1953, item 39 for type. 70 grams, 80mm (3 1/4"). From the family collection of a London gentleman; formed in the late 1940s-1950s; thence by descent. Very fine condition.
Lot 501
11th century AD. A long lentoid-section tapering bronze chape with scooped upper edge with beast head terminals and pelletted border, two fleur-de-lys to the border, raised palmette motif to the lower panel. 74.1 grams, 11cm (4 1/4"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Fine condition, split to rear.
Lot 502
11th century AD. A bronze sword chape formed as long lentoid-section tapering sleeve with integral stub foot, scooped upper edge with beast-head finials and raised rims; raised palmette motif to the edges of the lower panel. 54.7 grams, 10cm (4"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
Lot 503
9th-10th century AD. A silvered bronze bifacial scabbard chape, D-shaped with triangular upper edge; the openwork centre of each face formed with a stylised bird with wings extended to the frame, bird's head in profile to the apex; incised decoration to both faces, feather detailing to the bird's chest, tail and wings. Cf. Paulsen, P. Schwertortbänder der Wikingerzeit, Stuttgart, 1953, in relation to the trading centre on the island of Birka, eastern Sweden; see also Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson for the significance of the falcon motif to the society of Birka, particularly with regard to the development of a 'princely family' and its heraldic display, in Rus', Varangians and Birka Warriors (2002"). 24 grams, 64mm (2 1/2"). Property of a lady living in Kent, UK; formerly part of her grandfather's collection; acquired in Germany after WWII; thence by descent 2006. Fine condition.
Lot 505
1st-2nd century AD. A group of two sheet bronze plaques each with repoussé decorative frieze depicting two chariots placed back-to-back each with four-spoked wheel and single horse, standing driver holding reins in both hands, roundels and other objects in the field; possibly from a military belt. 36.4 grams total, 12.8-15cm (5 - 6"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. [2]Fair condition.
Lot 511
Early 3rd millennium BC. A squat ceramic jar with bulbous body decorated with incised spirals and concentric-ring stamps, short neck with impressed cord detailing and similar to the chamfered rim. See Briard, J. The Bronze Age in Barbarian Europe, London, 1979 for discussion. 1.1 kg, 17.5cm (7"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]Very fine condition. Professionally cleaned and conserved.
Lot 513
3rd millennium BC. A ground and polished diorite axehead with large perforation, boat-shaped in plan with flat striking face to the rear. See Briard, J. The Bronze Age in Barbarian Europe, London, 1979 for discussion. 468 grams, 11.5cm (4 1/2"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s. Very fine condition.
Lot 524
2nd millennium BC. A pair of round-section bronze coiled bracelets comprising: one with bands of incised lines, three narrow bands of hatched lines; the other with bands of incised lines, five incised X-symbols on a plain field between. 193 grams, 72-77mm (3"). From a private European collection; formed in the 1980s. [2, No Reserve]Extremely fine condition.
Lot 531
11th-8th century BC. A mixed group of bronze items comprising: two dress pins with pelta-shaped plaques; two bracelets with butted ends; an arm-ring with scrolled ends; a restrung necklace of bronze beads with irregular carnelian and other beads and annular pendants, central wheel pendant; a restrung group of domed bronze discs; a pair of bronze fibulas, one with twisted bow. 965 grams total, 5.5-77cm (2 - 30 1/4"). Property of a lady living in Kent, UK; formerly part of her grandfather's collection; acquired in Germany after WWII; thence by descent 2006. [9,No Reserve]Mainly fine condition.
Lot 532
12th-8th century BC. A substantial socketted axe with broad collar to the mouth, short blade with crescentic edge; each of the broad faces with a series of concentric chevrons; vertical internal ribs; convex cutting edge; the findspot 'Gainsborough, Lincs' inked in white on the inner socket edge. Cf. Evans, J. The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1881, item 148. 360 grams, 12.5cm (5"). From a Leicestershire, UK, collection; acquired in the UK in 1993; formerly found Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, UK; accompanied by an old collectors ticket. Fine condition.
Lot 534
15th-14th century BC. A bronze disc with rectangular slot and reinforced rim section, concentric rings of punched triangles and running spirals. 587 grams total, 16cm including stand (6 1/4"). Property of a lady living in Kent, UK; formerly part of her grandfather's collection; acquired in Germany after WWII; thence by descent 2006. Fine condition.
Lot 539
6th century AD. A matched pair 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. discoid mounts from the Lullingstone (Kent) hanging bowl in Farley, J. & Hunter, F. Celts Art and Identity London, 2015, item 162. 118 grams total, 75mm (3"). Found Leicestershire, UK, 2016 attached to the remains of a large sheet bronze bowl; accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate. Very fine condition. [2]
Lot 54
5th-3rd century BC. A matched pair of bronze handles, each formed as a pair of facing female busts on heater-shaped plaques with hair extending from the crown of the head to a coiled knot above. 372 grams total, 86mm each (3 1/2"). From an old British collection; formed between 1975 and 1985. [2]Fine condition.
Lot 540
9th century AD. A silvered and gilded cast copper-alloy sword belt mount, rectangular in plan and cross-section with reverse face rough-cast with remains of four broken studs or projecting spikes to secure the mount to a scabbard or sword belt; the obverse chip-carved with a complex foliage design around a central vertical bar flanked by two lozenges and two pairs of rosettes, with flanking small equal-arm crosses each within a larger rosette; the central elements of the design covered with thick silver foil or sheet, incised and inlaid with silver wire; above and below the ornamental panel, horizontal raised borders; parcel gilt surface with exposed bronze on the abraded areas. Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme with registration number HESH-26E9D1; accompanied by a copy of the PAS report. Best Artefact of the Year, winner of the Robin & Karolyn Memorial Trophy Competition 2016, organised by the National Council of Metal Detecting, and published in The Searcher Magazine, 2016, p.4; accompanied by an original illustrated page of the magazine. 22 grams, 36mm (1 1/2"). Found by Mr Graham Allinson in an area of North Wales, near to Offa's Dyke, close to the Dee Estuary and the Wirral peninsula, an area which has significant trade (and possibly settlement) from Ireland and Scandinavia. Prof. Gabor Thomas of Reading University states: 'This mount is undoubtedly one of the most elaborate pieces of Carolingian metalwork which I have seen from Britain. The style and technique suggests that it was probably manufactured somewhere in western Frankia in the first half of the 9th century and probably derives from a sword-belt. Quite how it ended up in this part of Britain must remain a mystery, but Viking activity can't be ruled out.' The mount is one of a small but growing corpus of 8th and 9th Century Carolingian-style mounts recovered from Britain. Several other examples are recorded on the PAS database formed of both silver and base metals - these examples include Cambridgeshire (FAHG-123AB4), Lindsay, Suffolk (SF-E2FFD6), and Torksey, Lincs (DENO-872273"). This example, although mostly composed of base metal, is designed in such a way [as] to convey that it is formed of precious metals (gold and silver"). Thomas (2012) discusses this form of mount (pp. 497-99) describing them as being belt fittings decorated with ninth century Carolingian plant ornament which are dominated with acanthus rosettes. He also notes that an example of these rectangular mounts is present within the Cuerdale hoard, Cheshire. Very fine condition, usage wear. This sword-belt or scabbard mount is noted as being of 'national importance' by the museum and academic world including contributors to the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Lot 56
6th century BC-3rd century AD. A restrung necklace of wound bronze wire fusiform beads with spherical carnelian and bronze beads, animal-head dangles, tubular bronze components and domed disc finials. 170 grams, 50cm (19 1/2"). Property of a European businessman; from his private Belgian collection formed in the 1990s; previously in a North American collection formed in Illinois in the 1980s. [No Reserve]Fine condition.
Lot 57
6th century BC-3rd century AD. A restrung necklace of wound bronze wire fusiform beads with spherical carnelian beads, animal dangles and domed disc finials. 163 grams, 41cm (16 1/4"). Property of a European businessman; from his private Belgian collection formed in the 1990s; previously in a North American collection formed in Illinois in the 1980s. [No Reserve]Fine condition.
Lot 570
11th century AD. A bronze stirrup mount with openwork ovoid body and wolf in profile with head thrown back and tail raised above the back, pierced trefoil suspension lobe, shallow ledge below with two attachment holes, one rivet in situ; Williams's Class A, Type 11. Cf. Williams, D. Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts, York, 1997, item 220. 22.3 grams, 49mm (2"). Found Hampshire, UK. Very fine condition.
Lot 571
11th century AD. A bronze stirrup mount of Williams's Class A Type 4, a tongue-shaped plaque with volute scrolled top, high-relief palmette to the centre with facing bear's mask, angled ledge to the lower edge and two rivets above. Cf. Williams, D. Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts, York, 1997, item 81. 31 grams, 56mm (2 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. Very fine condition.
Lot 572
5th-6th century AD. A large gilt-bronze disc brooch comprising a chamfered outer rim, band of guilloche around central disc with four radiating petals and central hole; two pin-lugs to the reverse. Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme under reference WAW-D0BED7. 18.5 grams, 45mm (2"). Found Worcestershire, UK, in 2007; accompanied by a copy of the Portable Aniquities Scheme report number WAW-D0BED7. The brooch is not a typical saucer brooch, being too flat to fit the criteria for that type, but it nevertheless bears a decorative scheme which is typical of that group. Fine condition. Rare.
Lot 573
6th century AD. A gilt-bronze disc mount with crenellated rim, concentric rings and five-arm spiral motif with central roundel. 12 grams, 38mm (1 1/2"). Property of a lady living in Kent, UK; formerly part of her grandfather's collection; acquired in Germany after WWII; thence by descent 2006. The design is similar in layout to standard types of saucer brooch, but lacks both the flared rim and the fastening fittings to the reverse. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
Lot 574
6th century AD. A bronze patrix die with raised rim and central void, band of running scrolls within borders; intended to create blanks for saucer brooches, Cf. saucer brooches in Ashmolean Museum, Oxford in MacGregor, A. & Bolick, E. A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non-Ferrous Metals), Oxford, 1993, esp. item 2.3. 26 grams, 47mm (1 3/4"). Property of a lady living in Kent, UK; formerly part of her grandfather's collection; acquired in Germany after WWII; thence by descent 2006. [No Reserve]Fine condition, small casting flaw.
Lot 575
6th century AD. A substantial parcel-gilt bronze rectangular mount with central reserved lozenge and two Style I Tiermensch creatures; three later rivet-holes, one with rivet in situ. Cf. West, S. A Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Finds From Suffolk, East Anglian Archaeology 84, Ipswich, 1998, fig.21(13"). 11 grams, 44.5mm (1 7/8"). Found Norfolk, UK. Very fine condition.
Lot 576
5th-6th century AD. A gilt bronze gusset plate from a wrist-clasp set, formed as a triangle with slightly concave sides terminating in a stylised beast's head with roundel eyes and a square muzzle, loop below; on each side a pierced lug (one absent), by which the plate was sewn to the garment; raised median band with scrolled ends. 7.8 grams, 50mm (2"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. See Hines, J. Clasps-Hektespenner-Agraffen: Anglo-Scandinavian Clasps of the Third to Sixth Centuries AD. Typology, Diffusion and Function. Kungl. Vitterhets Historie och Antikvitets Akademien, 1993. Fine condition.
Lot 582
5th-6th century AD. A bronze vessel with slightly waisted profile, flared rim, two D-shaped plaques pierced to accept the returned ends of a square-section drop handle; incised circumferential lines to the outer face. See Truc, M.C. et al, Trois riches tombes du VIe siècle sur le site de « La Tuilerie » à Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne), grave 11, item 19. 1.1 kg, 21cm (8 1/4"). From an important English collection; acquired in the 1990s; formerly in the private collection of John Moore; found Bedfordshire, UK. Very fine condition, accretion to the underside.
Lot 583
14th-15th century AD. A very large bronze discoid harness pendant with pierced suspension lug to the rim, low-relief reserved scene depicting two opposed robed maidens in a landscape with median tree, foliage to each side and hatched ground, the maidens supporting a heater shield with reserved Lombardic capital 'R', supporting strap hooked over a branch of the tree to the rear. 35.4 grams, 82mm (3 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; previously by descent from Seymour de Ricci (1881-1942); formerly in the Carl Dreyfus collection; by descent from his father Gustave Dreyfus (1837-1914"). Fine condition. Very rare.
Lot 585
13th-15th century AD. A bronze quatrefoil harness pendant with pierced suspension lug and interstitial lobes to the rim; low-relief quadrupeds surrounding a central voided square with key and sword symbols. See Ashley, S. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk, East Anglian Archaeology 101, Dereham, 2002. 17.6 grams, 45mm (1 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in an old UK private collection. Fine condition. Rare.
Lot 586
14th-15th century AD. A large gilt-bronze discoid harness pendant with integral suspension loop, raised parcel-gilt border with tremolier pattern; enamelled field with reserved swan between fronds, advancing with a bell secured round its neck. 35.7 grams, 72mm (2 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in an old UK private collection. Fine condition.
Lot 587
14th-15th century AD. A substantial bronze quatrefoil pendant with pierced suspension lug, spiked knop between each pair of lobes; reserved cross on a red enamelled field with five castles each comprising a keep and gatehouse and two flanking towers. 54.6 grams, 68mm (2 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; previously by descent from Seymour de Ricci (1881-1942); formerly in the Carl Dreyfus collection; by descent from his father Gustave Dreyfus (1837-1914"). The arms of Castille have been a yellow castle tower on a red field since the 12th century. On the union with Léon in the early 13th century after the death of King Alfonso IX (died in 1230), the castle has been shown quartered with a red crowned lion rampant on a white field on the royal arms. Fine condition.
Lot 594
13th-15th century AD. A gilt-bronze hexagonal harness mount with scooped edges and pierced lobe to each angle, blue enamelled field with reserved image of a manticore passant. See Ashley, S. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk, East Anglian Archaeology 101, Dereham, 2002. 8.12 grams, 43mm (1 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in an old UK private collection. Fine condition.
Lot 595
13th-14th century AD. A fully enamelled bronze quatrefoil stud with reserved trefoil to each blue-enamelled lobe, central red enamel panel with reserved lion rampant reversed. See Ashley, S. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk, East Anglian Archaeology 101, Dereham, 2002 for discussion. 12.6 grams, 28mm (1 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in an old UK private collection. Very fine condition.
Lot 597
11th-12th century AD. A group of bronze horse harness fittings comprising: a large plaque with high-relief image of a lion facing back on a yellow enamelled background, four attachment loops to the rim; fourteen plaques depicting intersecting triangles with enamelled fields, some with studs still in situ; fifteen floral plaques with enamelled petals, attachment stud through the centre. 98 grams, 15-50mm (1/2 - 2"). Property of a lady living in Kent, UK; formerly part of her grandfather's collection; acquired in Germany after WWII; thence by descent 2006. [30]Fine condition.
Lot 616
14th-15th century AD. A bronze finger ring comprising a D-section hoop with scooped shoulders, octagonal bezel with intaglio lion rampant. Bagot, J., Ed. El Legado de Hefesto, Hephaestus Legacy, A memorial to a private collection of ancient rings and glyptics, Barcelona, 2012, p.243, no. 656; accompanied by copies of the relevant book pages. 4.00 grams, 22.14mm overall, 17.49mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14) (3/4"). From an important North West London collection; formerly in the Hephaestus collection. Very fine condition.
Lot 617
13th-15th century AD. A bifacial bronze seal matrix with integral loop; a sword with crescent and star to each side with legend '+S' ROIERI DE WINTERBVRNEI' for 'Seal of Roger of Winterbourne' to the border, it looks as if the matrix-engraver has botched the inscription, cutting 'I' instead of 'G'; a crowned facing bust with legend 'PENSET DE MOI MA DVCE AMIE' for ' Think of me, my gentle love' to the border. 15.57 grams, 41mm (1 1/2"). Property of a Dorchester gentleman; found Dorset, UK. Malcolm Jones, Sheffield University, Dept. English Language & Linguistics, Senior Lecturer 1994-2009 and advisor to the British Museum and Portable Antiquities Scheme, says: 'Seals of this period often bear amatory messages in the language of courtly love, i.e. Anglo-French. One of the conventions of amour courtois is that both lovers are referred to as (literally) ‘friends’ – AMI (m) and AMIE (f"). It is a mistake to translate the word as ‘friend’, however -- in this context it means ‘lover, beloved’, and because we are in French we always know whether the lover in question is male or female from the spelling of the word (as above"). 'douce amie' as on the present seal is a well-attested collocation in the literature of courtly love, though curiously I cannot find evidence of the expression on any other seal or item of jewellery. On a linguistic note, from the evidence of seal-matrices such as this, Anglo-French could spell the final letters of the 2nd person plural imperative either -EZ (as predominantly in Continental French), or -ET, as here – which may perhaps be a diagnostically Anglo-French spelling. Penset de moi, ma douce amie - Note that the entire phrase is metrical and breaks as arranged round the oval perimeter of the matrix at the point where the caesura falls in the verse line. It sounds very like the title or opening of some courtly-love poem. In similar vein, the counter-seal of Patrick de Dunbar (1292), bears a shield suspended from a large tree between two smaller trees and is inscribed with what sounds like just such another courtly-love lyric: parmi cev havt bois condvray mamie [I shall lead my love among the tall woods]. The seal of an unknown signatory on the Ragman Roll yields another metrical inscription: tenet mon chapelete mamovr [Hold/take my chaplet, my love – i.e. the chaplet that I have made for you] – another well-represented iconographic motif of amour courtois. A finger-ring found recently in Dordrecht is inscribed enamer a douce vie [in loving he has a sweet life], the title of a ballade by Machaut, which can be dated a.1342. On a somewhat less courtly note – and note the class-sneer – is this couplet put into the mouth of a 13th century English lady’s brooch: ieo svi fermail pur garder sein/ ke nvs vilein ni mette mein [I am a brooch to guard the breast, so that no peasant may put his hand there]. It is in this context of courtly love that the present seal belongs – it is clearly a ‘personal seal’ in the true sense of the phrase, personal to Roger de Winterburne. His love-letters were ‘sealed with a kiss’.' Very fine condition. Extremely rare.
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