6th-7th century AD. A bronze censer with bulbous body resting on a flared foot; three suspension loops to the rim; band with incised floral design to the neck and foot, rosette to the underside of the foot; to the body, high relief vignettes from the life of Christ depicting: the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Baptism, the Crucifixion and the Women at the Tomb. This is an unusual type of censer, part of a group of approximately one hundred of this type known in Museums and private collections; cf. The Fogg Museum, Harvard Art Museums, 1975.41.140; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 67.27 for type; Exhibition catalogue, Sinai, Byzantium, Russia: Orthodox Art from the 6th-12th Century, Hermitage Museum and Courtauld Gallery, 2000, no.B35a; also R. Baumstark, Rom and Byzanz. Schatzkammerstucke aus bayerischen Sammulugen, Munich, 19998, no.30; and Exhibition catalogue, Cradle of Christianity, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, p.44. 630 grams, 9.5cm (3 3/4"). Property of a gentleman; from a Mayfair, London, UK, gallery. In the Byzantine world, censers were used to burn incense in both domestic contexts to purify the home, protecting it from malevolent forces, and in liturgical ceremonies. Censers depicting scenes from the life of Christ have been found across the Byzantine world in Egypt, Syria and Turkey. This censer could have been used within liturgical ceremonies or for worship within a family home. Fine condition.
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Warring States Period, 475-221 BC. A bronze cheek piece in the form of a recurved dragon, head with open mouth and incised eye detail, maned long body with some scale detailing, large loop on the back, two small feet below, curled tail with scale detailing; two attachment loops to the back; from the Heibei province. 360 grams total, 14.5cm (5 3/4"). Property of a Brussels gentleman; acquired on the European art market. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
6th-7th century AD. A bronze belt formed as a wide plaque tapering to each side with folded edges; rectangular extension to one side with extant pin, ring to the other; to the plaque a repoussé rosette to each end, applied possibly later diamond-shaped gold plaque to the centre with central boss, lion figure to each side, filigree outline and triangular detail. 120 grams, 24.5cm (9 3/4"). Property of a European businessman; formerly in a Belgium collection; previously from an old German collection. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Mid 1st millennium BC. A matched pair of bronze greaves or lamellae scales from a cuirass or suite of armoured panels, each tongue-shaped with repoussé ornament of concentric tiers with three bosses to the wider end and one to the narrower, each boss with a pelleted border, pierced at both ends for attachment with laces. 353 grams total, 30-30.5cm (12"). Property of a London gentleman; previously acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s. Fine condition, one repaired. [2]
Tang Dynasty, 618-906 AD. A substantial bronze rosette mirror with one polished face, the reverse with high-relief band of birds and running beasts among grapevines, central pierced lug with leaves to the rim. 970 grams, 22cm (8 3/4"). Property of a London collector; by inheritance from his grandfather; acquired during travels in the Far East in the 1920s. Fine condition.
9th-7th century BC. A bronze spectacle brooch formed as two large tightly-wound coils with 8-shaped intermediate coils, remains of catchplate to the reverse, mounted on a custom-made display stand. 95 grams total, 83.5mm (3 1/4"). Property of a Brussels gentleman; acquired on the European art market. Fine condition.
7th-6th century BC. A pair of bronze appliqués depicting lionesses in profile with legs bent and head lowered, with ring-and-dot eye and spiral to the hip and shoulder. 30 grams total, 48-49mm (2"). Property of a London gentleman; previously with a central London gallery; acquired Claude Boisgirard Archaelogie, Paris, 9 November 1999. [2] Fine condition.
4th-7th century AD. A mixed group of gold miniature pendants formed as buckets or tankards, each a hollow body with beaded wire rim to the foot and lip, ribbed 'handle' suspension loop; one with applied filigree scrolls. See Khrapunov I. and Stylegar, F.A., Inter Ambo Maria, Contacts between Scandinavia and the Crimea in the Roman Period;and Бажан И, А., Каргапольцев С, Ю, 1989, Об одной категории украшений-амулетов римского времени в Восточной Европе, СА, No.3. 10 grams total, 9-12mm (1/4 - 1/2"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. Pendants in the form of miniature buckets have been found in a number of pagan Anglo-Saxon and Viking contexts and are generally made of bronze or iron, with gold examples being rare; three gold examples were found with the hoard from Hoen, Norway. Bronze bucket amulets have been found at Driffield in Yorkshire, and Vimose bog in Denmark, among other places. In form they represent wooden buckets bound with bronze or iron bands which have been found in Anglo-Saxon and Viking graves and are believed to have held mead or ale and were used to replenish the cups from which warriors drank. As amulets, they probably represent the ecstatic power of alcoholic drink and the role of women as the dispensers of these precious beverages. [5] Very fine condition.
9th-12th century AD. A group of three large gilt-bronze mounts, each a double swag with central void and pointillé detailing to the borders. Cf. Sedov, B.B. Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.LXIV (25"). 44 grams total, 12cm each (4 3/4"). Property of a European businessman; formerly in a Belgium collection; previously from an old German collection. [3, No Reserve] Fine condition.
2nd-1st millennium BC. A hoard of bronze axeheads comprising: (1) Palstave axehead, complete in extremely good condition, some patches of corrosion visible; flanges rising gradually from the butt, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; below the stop bar a raised triangle within a triangular depression; body narrow with triangular blade; cutting edge is complete except for small pockets of corrosion damage; casting seam partially visible but not prominent, raised ridges across the flange; blade tips complete; to one face linear striations from polishing. (2) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition, patches of corrosion; butt slightly damaged; flanges rising in a convex curve from the butt, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; body narrow and triangular blade; cutting edge complete except for corrosion and one blade tip absent; small sub-triangular depression below the stop bar. (3) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition, patches of corrosion; flanges rising in a convex curve from the butt, fusing to the stop bar above the septum with small sub-triangular depression just below the stop; butt corners slightly damaged, and small nick to the butt (ancient damage); casting flaw to one flange tip; body narrow, triangular blade with a small flare to the blade tip; cutting edge slightly asymmetrical (due to re-sharpening?"). (4) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition, patches of corrosion; flanges rising in a convex curve from the butt, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; small sub-triangular depression just below the stop; body narrow with triangular blade; partial casting seam remaining along each flange; edge with small chips along its length, blade slightly asymmetrical. (5) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition; flanges rising from the butt, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; below the stop bar a raised triangle within a triangular depression; body narrow with triangular blade; flange/side profile lozenge-shaped; damage to the butt end, flange tips and cutting edge. (6) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition; flanges rising a short distance from the butt to a rounded flange, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; below the stop bar a small sub-triangular depression at the top of the blade; triangular blade slightly asymmetrical (re-sharpened?); edge bevel visible towards the cutting edge, blade tips rounded (through use?); remains of casting flashes along the flange sides on the haft-end of the axe. (7) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition; flanges beginning a short distance from the butt end into a rounded flange, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; below the stop bar an indentation, roughly sub-triangular, at the top of the blade surface, leading to a triangular blade; short edge-bevel towards the cutting edge, slightly damaged with chips; blade slightly asymmetrical (due to re-sharpening?"). (8) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition; flanges rising from the butt end, fusing to the stop bar above the septum with U-shaped profile; triangular blade flaring slightly at the tips; small notches along the blade edge (ancient damage?"). (9) Palstave axehead, complete copper in good condition; flanges rising from the butt end and fusing to the stop bar; below the stop bar a small sub-triangular depression, body widening to a triangular blade; damage to the butt corners and small chips along the flange tips and the cutting edge; on one of the flange sides an irregular casting flaw ground down in prehistory. (10) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition; flanges rising from the butt end, fusing to the stop bar above the U-section septum; triangular blade rounded at the tips; below the stop bar a short indentation, roughly sub-triangular/rectangular; blade and cutting edge corroded, blade slightly asymmetrical (due to re-sharpening?"). See Evans, John, The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1881, pp.76-84 and figs.56-68 for similar types. See Portable Antiquities Scheme, reference PAS KENT-593613 (this find"). 4.8 kg total, 17-18cm (6 3/4 - 7"). Found near Manston, Kent, UK, 30 April 2017; subsequently returned to the finder in late 2018; accompanied by copies of the British Museum PAS report number KENT-593613, and Treasure Act documentation under Treasure Reference 2017 T459. We understand that the axes have been lightly cleaned by a professional conservator to remove soil only and a coat of incralac lacquer applied to protect the natural patination. [10] Fine condition. A rare opportunity to acquire a British Bronze Age Hoard with excessively rare decorated examples.
1st-2nd century AD. A finely detailed winged or possibly horned bronze phallic double looped pendant or mount, three dimensional with engraved detail of hair; the reverse with two pierced lugs; accompanied by a copy of the Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service Finds Report dated November 1998 comments: 'Phallic ornaments are a fairly common good luck / virility symbol, the association with bulls is common - adding extra male strength to the symbolism - and they are often but not exclusively associated with the Roman army'. See Colonel Fanin, The Royal Museum at Naples, Being Some Account of The Erotic Paintings, Bronzes, and Statues Contained in That Famous 'Cabinet of Secret', London, 1871; also, Hammond, Brett, Benet's Artefacts of England: Roman Edition, Essex, 2016, pp.254-255 and Johns, Catherine, Sex or Symbol, BM, London, 1989 for discussion and other examples. Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History, vol.XXXIX, pt.3, p.357, fig.94(I) and p.362 (this piece), accompanied by a copy of the relevant pages including drawings and text. 70 grams, 43mm wide (1 3/4"). Found near Sudbury, Suffolk, UK, in 1998; accompanied by a copy of the Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service Finds Report dated November 1998 (Arts Council England export approval has previously been granted"). [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition. Extremely rare.
3rd-7th century AD. A substantial iron-framed cavalry helmet formed as a hemispherical bowl with a broad band fore-and-aft, applied bronze reeded strips secured with decorative rivets, D-shaped lateral sheet silver panels with repoussé fish-scale detailing; the interior with panels and fragments in a matrix. See Grancsay, S.V. A Sasanian Chieftain's Helmet in The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, New Series, Vol. 21, No. 8 (April, 1963) for discussion; also Ahmad, S.N. A new Sasanian helmet in the Musee d’Art Classique de Mougins, in Historia i ?wiat, 2015. 2.3 kg, 17 x 24cm (6 3/4 x 9 1/2"). From the collection of a North London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Accompanied by a positive metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford. The helmet's interior shows it has been constructed from bands and panels attached to an encircling browband, the most frequently encountered method for producing iron and bronze helmets in antiquity which persisted in eastern Europe and Western Asia until the early modern period. The fish-scale side panels are known from other Sassanian helmets, such as the examples in the Romische Germanische Zentralmuseum (Ahmad, fig. 7) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (ibid., fig.6"). In plan, the helmet is more barrel-shaped than round, with distinct flattened faces to front and rear. This may have been intended to accommodate a separate arming cap or other form of inner protective layer. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition, some restoration. Rare.
4th century AD. A bronze seal ring comprising a substantial lentoid-section hoop, discoid bezel with incised border, profile bust of Maxentius with legend 'VIVAS FELIX' (live happily"). 9.19 grams, 25.08mm overall, 19.97mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21) (1"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius Augustus (circa 278 – 28 October 312) was Roman Emperor from 306 to 312 AD. He was the son of a former Emperor, Maximian, and the son-in-law of Galerius. His reign was blighted by civil war, and he was defeated at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312, where his army fled and he allegedly drowned in the River Tiber. Very fine condition. A large wearable size.
1st century BC-1st century AD. A bronze figurine of a nude rider with mantle to the shoulders and quiver to the back, radiate crown, right hand extended with discus or patera. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 320 for type. 29.4 grams, 53mm (2 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Very fine condition.
18th-19th century AD. A bronze statuette in the form of Joan of Arc wearing skirt and breast-plate; left hand holding a sword grip to the chest, blade now absent; feet absent, mounted on a custom-made stand. 305 grams total, 11cm (4 1/4"). Property of a Brussels gentleman; acquired on the European art market. Fine condition.
1st century AD. A bronze patera comprising a shallow discoid bowl with inturned lip, central dome with concentric ring ornament, basal ring; the handle columnar with foliage to the junction, lion-head finial with gaping mouth. 408 grams, 21cm (8 1/4"). Ex Horton collection; acquired Gorny & Mosch, Munich, 25 June 2014, lot 86; accompanied by a copy of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue page. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
1st century BC-1st century AD. A bronze figure of Hercules standing nude, bearded and with hair drawn back, with a cup(?) in his right hand, club cradled in the crook of the left arm, lionskin mantle over the right forearm with head and forelegs carefully modelled. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 105. 103 grams, 78mm (3"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Very fine condition.
Saite Period, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. A bronze mummiform statuette of the god Osiris with arms folded across the chest holding crook and flail, with Atef crown and uraeus on the head; plaited beard, wearing Broad Collar; the feet on a rectangular base; mounted on a custom-made stand. 690 grams total, 23cm including stand (9 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; from a Mayfair, London, UK, gallery; formerly in the Bastan collection, Hamburg, Germany; previously with Van Ham, Cologne, Germany, 13 February 2008; formerly in an early 20th century collection; accompanied by a copy of the Van Ham purchase invoice. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
Late 2nd millennium BC. A bronze figure of a deity, seated frontal with joined legs and upright torso, right arm raised in a benediction gesture, left arm bent to hold an object in a fisted hand; wearing a short crown with rounded top with the remains of silver cladding, and a long dress with fringed border and decorated collar; narrow face with light features; peg extending from the rear and below the feet for insertion onto a throne; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.7 kg total, 21cm including stand (8 1/4"). From an English private collection, 1973-2012; previously in the Hormann collection, Germany, 1946-1973; formerly with Elie Bustros, Beirut. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition. Rare.
8th-11th century AD. A bronze pendant in the form of of horse with mounted rider holding up a discoid object, possibly a shield, and a sword in other hand. Cf. Arbman, H. Birka I: Die Graber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.92, item 7. 5.49 grams, 34.5mm (1 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. Rare.
1st-2nd century AD. A substantial bronze fitting from a chariot or piece of furniture in the form of a youthful male, possibly Attis or Ganymede, wearing a Phrygian cap with band of curly hair sticking out, bare torso below; suspension ring to the back of the neck and iron tang to the back of body. 648 grams, 13cm (5"). Property of a Suffolk gentleman; acquired before 2000. Very fine condition.
19th century AD or earlier. A substantial bronze wall plaque with three standing figures modelled in the half-round, each wearing a braided hairstyle with feather, ribbed collar, sash to one shoulder and chain to the other, tunic with cummerbund and elaborate fastening, short legs with ankle-cuffs, hands raised to the chest holding the end of a chain and striking a bird-shaped idiophone; textured field with floral detailing, lateral lip; after the antique. Cf. Barley, N. The Art of Benin, London, 2010, p.89. 12.7 kg, 53cm (21"). Property of a Surrey professional since before 1960, from his family collection by descent; received as a royal gift by his grandfather during one of his official trips to Benin in the late 19th century. The figures depict chiefs (denoted by the feathered hairstyle) beating idiophones in the form of ahianmwen-oro 'birds of prophecy' in the Ugie Oro court ceremony. The idiophones are hand-held musical instruments which are struck in the ceremony at Ugie Oro court ceremonies, regarded as a sign that the kings of Benin were endowed with the power over time. The holder uses a metal rod to strike the bird's long curved beak. Fine condition, cracked, some minor losses to edges.
Mid 1st millennium BC. A bronze javelin-head comprising a round socket with bands of ribbing and bosses, flared mouth, square-section shank with pelleted band partway, rounded tip. 599 grams, 60cm (23 1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; previously acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s. Very fine condition.
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 BC. A bronze vessel with tapering body, conical underside, two loops to the rim and bronze rod handle; bands of reserved decoration to the body including reed boats above a frieze of gods with Min facing a papyrus stalk, behind him standing figures of the goddesses Isis and Hathor with another standing Min; frieze beneath with repeated scene of winged scarab and figure of dancing Anubis before raised uraeus, lotus-petal detail to the underside; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. World Museum, National Museums Liverpool, accession number 56.20.485 for type. 375 grams total, 16cm including stand (6 1/4"). Acquired on the Belgium art market in 1956, previously in a private Belgium collection formed in the 19th century; formerly with Pierre Bergé & Associés, Archéologie, Paris, 16 December 2015, lot 113; accompanied by copies of the relevant Pierre Bergé catalogue pages. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
Han Dynasty, 206 BC-220 AD. A parcel-gilt bronze figure of a pixiu crouching with head turned and mouth gaping; the body covered with gilt feather-pattern detailing; hollow to the underside. See Song, L. Chinese Bronze Ware, Cambridge, 2011 for discussion. 775 grams, 15cm (6"). Property of a London collector; by inheritance from his grandfather; acquired during travels in the Far East in the 1920s. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.
3rd-7th century AD. An iron sousser long-sword in its scabbard (wooden traces visible to the blade's surface); the blade slender and long (64cm tip to grip), two-edged and parallel-sided, lentoid in section with small rounded tip; two sheet-silver rectangular sleeves at the mouth and mid-point, each with rolled edges and a P-shaped lateral panel with suspension fitting for attachment to the sword belt (goti); similarly formed lower guard formed to slide behind the bow of the P-shaped panel, with rolled edges; tubular grip in two sections with bosses to the outer face; conical pommel with incised rosette detailing. Cf. Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, p.84-95. 906 grams, 77.5cm overall (30 1/2"). From the collection of a North London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Accompanied by a positive metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford. The sword is of standard early Sassanian type depicted on rock carvings at e.g. Ardeshir, Shapur and Bahram but not well represented in the archaeological record. Influences on sword design include local Parthian traditions, earlier Assyrian weaponry, Scythian akenakes swords and even contact with Han Dynasty China (206 BC-220 AD) or cultures influenced by them. Fine condition, some restoration. Rare.
Late 1st-mid 3rd century AD. A bronze terret comprising a hollow-formed base with eccentric ring above, transverse gusseted crescentic panel to the base. For a discussion of the typology of terrets see Leeds, E.T. Celtic Ornament in the British Isles, Oxford, 1933, p.118-126. 133 grams, 75mm (3"). Found East Anglia, UK; before 2000. Very fine condition. Rare.
Tang Dynasty, 618-906 AD. A substantial bronze disc mirror with one polished face, the reverse dished with high-relief band of birds and grapevines, similar inner band with monkeys and central pierced lug formed as a crouching monkey. 1.56 kg, 19cm (7 1/2"). Property of a London collector; by inheritance from his grandfather; acquired during travels in the Far East in the 1920s. Fine condition.
Tang Dynasty, 618-906 AD. A substantial bronze rosette mirror with one polished face, the reverse with high-relief band of parcel-gilt birds and running beasts among grapevines, central pierced lug with leaves to the rim. 932 grams, 22.5cm (9"). Property of a London collector; by inheritance from his grandfather; acquired during travels in the Far East in the 1920s. Fine condition, central lug crushed
2nd century AD. A broad bronze disc brooch with central stud, the face with concentric bands of millefiori glass and central green glass panel; pin and catch to the reverse. Cf. Hattatt, R. Ancient and Romano-British Brooches, Sherborne, 1982, item 126 for type. 50 grams, 54mm (2 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. Very fine condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze discoid phalera or pendant with concentric rings to the border and integral loop, domed centre with gorgoneion, serpents to the cheeks and wings to the brow, silver to the eyes. See Appels, A. & Laycock, S. Roman Buckles and Military Fittings, Witham, 2007. 99 grams, 80mm (3 1/4"). Property of a London collector; acquired on the London market, 1990s-2000s. Very fine condition.
12th-8th century BC. A bronze short sword comprising a triangular blade with midrib and scaphoid guard, ribbed tubular grip, semi-circular ripped pommel with raised edge. 930 grams, 47.5cm (18 3/4"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. Fine condition.
9th-8th century BC. A bronze appliqué of a horse in profile with legs folded beneath the body, ribbed triangular tail, recess to the hips and shoulder, stylised head with segmented mane; mounted in a custom-made frame. 248 grams,18cm including frame, horse: 73mm (7"). Property of a London gentleman; previously with a central London gallery; acquired Claude Boisgirard Archaelogie, Paris, 9 November 1999. [1] Fine condition.
2nd millennium BC. A bronze dagger with leaf-shaped flat-section blade with midrib; hilt with flared lower guard, round-section grip and separate bulb finial with segment detailing; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, figure 9 for type. 470 grams total, 24cm including stand (9 1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; previously acquired on the UK art market, 1990s. Fine condition.
9th-10th century AD. A complete drum brooch with central lozengiform knop to the domed upper face; the outer sidewall with panels of regularly spaced points, four tongue-shaped dividing panels with tremolier detailing extending beyond the upper rim; the upper face with cruciform bands, the quadrants filled with knots of three-strand bands; a separate baseplate with engraved tremolier frames and radiating arms, four attachment rivets, with a pin and catchplate. See MacGregor, A. et al. A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections (Roman Iron Age, Migration Period, Early Medieval), Oxford, 1997, item 1.8; Rydh, H. Dosformiga Spännen från Vikingatiden, Stockholm, 1919. 84 grams, 51mm (2"). Property of a 19th century collector; thence by descent. Drum brooches (also called ‘box brooches’, Swedish Dosspännen) were a Scandinavian fashion of the Viking period, beginning in the late 8th century AD and featuring Oseberg style gripping-beast motifs. They remained popular throughout the period into the 11th century AD. They are especially associated with the island of Gotland, the crossroads of trade and traffic in the Baltic where a variety of cultural influences were felt. Occasional examples occur elsewhere in the area of Scandinavian power, plausibly associated with the movement of brides from Gotland to foreign homelands. The earliest (8th century) examples are high-quality multi-part castings with lavish use of gold, parcel-gilding and silver; by the later Viking age they appear in bronze and gilt bronze. The original artistic motifs also evolve into more geometric forms with increased use of knotwork. As a type, they are characterised by their discoid upper face divided into symmetrical quadrants often with openwork detail; cords and faux-ropework to the edges are a consistent feature of the design. Some feature a separate cast upper plate, and on others it is the baseplate which is separate, as on the present example; occasionally the central knop is also a separate casting. It has been suggested that drum brooches were used to hold small valuables, although this seems improbable – these were normally suspended from the girdle or necklace for display. They were most probably used to fasten the triangular shawl or mantle which covered the upper body, in the dress fashion which included the heavy hängerok dress which was worn outside the undershift; the hängerok was often of rich fabric with embroidered borders, and the metal jewellery and glass beads were used to add richness to the costume. It may be this type of brooch (or the tortoise form) which was referred to by the Arab traveller Ibn Fadlan when he mentioned that Rus women wore on their chests drum-shaped brooches of iron, copper, silver or gold, whose decoration indicated the wealth of their husbands. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Extremely fine condition. Extremely rare.
9th-11th century AD. A bronze dress pin with round-section tapering shank, openwork head with vertical interlaced band below a knot and four lateral beast-heads with three facing male masks to the upper edge. Cf. Thunmark-Nylén, L. Die Wikingerzeit Gotlands II: Typentafeln, Stockholm, 1998, pl.301 (Eke Smiss, SHM 4078"). 125 grams, 29cm (11 1/2"). Property of a professional collector; acquired before 1990. Very fine condition. Professionally cleaned and conserved.
9th-8th century BC. A tubular bronze sceptre finial formed as a standing figure with hands clasped to the breasts, tiered rings to the neck, ribbed cap and girdle, bulbous hips, ornamental bands to the knees and ankles. See Völling, E. Iranische Bronzen, Würtzburg, 2004, item 11 for type. 105 grams, 16cm (6 1/4"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. Fine condition, repaired.
9th-11th century AD. A bronze bifacial firesteel with looped handle with opposed birds, ferrous block to the underside. 30.5 grams, 59mm (2 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.
1st-3rd century AD. A bronze lamp in the form of a satyr's head facing upwards upon an oval base; face with prominent lips, eyes, bushy eyebrows and voluminous wavy hair; below the chin a protruding hexagonal-section nozzle, to the forehead a suspension ring, to the head a shallow spout and loop handle. 214 grams, 10cm (4"). From an old Suffolk collection; formed 1990-2000. Very fine condition.
Saite Period, 624-525 BC. A bronze hand-mirror with discoid plate and handle formed as a lotus flower. 204 grams, 25cm (10"). Property of a South African lady; formerly in the private collection of Dr. Frederick Lorch, Swiss geologist and author on Egyptian antiquities, and managing director of S.A. Minerals Corporation; acquired from the early 1960s to the early 1980s; thence by descent to the current owner; accompanied by the original 1963 paid invoice from Spink & Son, Ltd, 5,6 & 7, King Street, St. James's, London, SW1. Fine condition.
3rd-1st century BC. A bronze oil lamp of saucer type with shallow bowl, flat base and flat everted rim pinched deeply to form a spout; loop handle to the rear rim. 305 grams, 14.5cm (5 3/4"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. Fine condition.
3rd-4th century AD. A matched pair of bronze dolphin brackets, each a flat panel with raised detailing to the head and fins, discoid lug with peg below, the tail with pierced discoid lug. 885 grams total, 31.5cm (12 1/2"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. [2] Fine condition.
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350105 item(s)/page