There are 350105 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribe11th-12th century AD. A bronze axehead pendant of Scandinavian type (also widespread in the historical Rus region), with winged socket, pierced triangular blade and lobe to the inner edge; low-relief ornament of a horse and scrolls. Cf. Korshyn, V.E. Yazcheskye Priveski Drevnei Rusi X-XIV Vekov, volume I, Moscow, 2013, item D.1.02-06. 12 grams, 51mm (2"). Property of a North West London gallery; formerly in a 1980s collection. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A restrung necklace of mainly glass beads in assorted rounded and melon shapes, with two bronze voided cross pendants and a bronze cylindrical bead with three duck-foot pendants. Cf. Sedov, B.B. Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, table XV (14"). 62 grams, 34cm (13 1/2"). Property of a North West London gallery; formerly in a 1980s collection. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
6th century AD. A large bronze bow brooch comprising a D-shaped headplate with seven radiating knops, beaded border and scroll panel, shallow bow, triangular footplate with lateral bands of bird-heads, geometric panel and facing-mask finial, pin-lug and catch to the reverse. Cf. Heynoswki, R. Bestimmungsbuch Archaeologie: Gürtel, Munich, 2017, type 3.24.2.3. 86.7 grams, 12.5cm (5"). Property of a lady living in Kent, UK; formerly part of her grandfather's collection; acquired in Germany after WWII; thence by descent 2006. Very fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A restrung necklace of carnelian tubular and other beads with bronze rumbler dangles, central tubular forked metal bar with carnelian spherical bead. Cf. Sedov, B.B. Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plates XXIX, XXX, XXXV. 73 grams, 54cm (21 1/4"). Property of a North West London gallery; formerly in a 1980s collection. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
3rd-5th century AD. A bronze mount of a standing male and a female couple, each with one hand extending across the body touching each other's genitals. For the gesture and design see Oldtidens Ansigt, Det kongelige Nordiske Oldskiftselska og Jysk Arkaeologist Selskab, 1990, p.134, 138. 3.78 grams, 33mm (1 1/4"). From a North West London collection; previously acquired in the 1980s. A parallel to the style and pose of this 'couple' can be seen on several small bronzes inspired by Roman statuettes representing gods. However, similar bronze statues were already known in Scandinavia since the Bronze Age and were most likely of a ritual significance. The specific crossed hand on the chest is a puzzling symbol, possibly symbolising a gesture of a specific god, ritual act or blessing. Another similarity can be observed on rock art in Scandinavia, especially the image of a 'divine couple', a strong motif known from the late Iron Age depicted on many golden sheets called guldgubbers. Several scholars argue that this image represents the marriage of god Freyr and giantess Gerd; however, it may also represent a union of Freyr with his sister Freyja. From later sources, it is known that the Vanir, an ancient race of gods, had a custom to marry or have intercourse with their siblings. Njord, the father of Freyr and Freya, was from this tribe, and sources suggest that they were conceived with his sister-wife. She might have been the mysterious Suebi goddess Nerthus, which Roman historian Tacitus wrote about in Germania. Her statue was kept in a sacred grove on an unknown island, drawn in a holy cart and only priests could touch her. Everywhere the goddess came she was met with celebration of peace and hospitality. After she returned to the temple, everything was washed by slaves, who were drowned short after. Her connection with fertility, peace, and water, definitely points to the Vanir race; and she shares several similarities with the later worshipping of Freyr. This mount probably represents either Njord and Nerthus, or Freyr and Freya, and may had been used as a votive offering or worn as an amulet to invoke the fertile powers of those gods. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
1st-3rd century AD. A bronze finger ring formed as a D-section coiled serpent with scale detailing and a pointed tear-shaped head. 8.86 grams, 25.76mm overall, 20.72mm internal diameter (approximate size British W, USA 11, Europe 25.00, Japan 24) (1"). Property of a North West London gallery; formerly in a 1980s collection. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A bronze discoid plaque with T-shaped voids forming a wheel; bands of decoration to each broad face, with roundels and incised lines. 46 grams, 50mm (2"). From the family collection of a London gentleman; formed in the late 1940s-1950s; thence by descent. [No Reserve] Extremely fine condition.
11th-12th century AD. A mixed bronze group comprising: a triangular stirrup mount with howling wolf motif facing left; one similar, facing right; a square stirrup mount with winged figure in high relief; an openwork stirrup mount with three facing beast-heads; a small stirrup mount with opposed birds and central void; an openwork dagger chape with horseman on a baseline. Cf. Williams, D. Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts, York, 1997. 121 grams total, 31-53mm (1 1/4 - 2 1/4"). Ex Stratford collection, Suffolk, UK; acquired on the UK art market after 2000. [6, No Reserve] Fine condition.
13th-14th century AD. A bronze lozengiform harness pendant with enamelled field and three reserved lions passant gardant (the Royal Arms of England); traces of gilding to the frame. Cf. Ashley, S. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk, East Anglian Archaeology 101, Dereham, 2002, item 155 for type. 8.09 grams, 38mm (1 1/2"). From an old North Country collection; formed between 1970-2000. Fine condition.
14th century AD. A bronze discoid seal matrix with loop to the reverse, design of agnus dei with banner in a circle, legend to the border 'S' NICOLE BERNPRT' for seal of Nicholas Bernart or Bernard, with the P an error for A; supplied with a wax impression 8.99 grams, 24mm (1"). Property of a Swindon gentleman; acquired on the UK art market. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
13th-14th century AD. A bronze heater-shaped harness pendant with enamelled profile peacock advancing. Cf. Ashley, S. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk, East Anglian Archaeology 101, Dereham, 2002 item 70. 9.57 grams, 42mm (1 3/4"). Found Warwick, Warwickshire, UK. Fine condition.
13th-14th century AD. A bronze vesica-shaped seal matrix with raised and pierced rib to reverse for suspension; the face engraved with incuse nimbate eagle flying right, holding scroll inscribed RIAD'M (for an owner's name?) in its claws with small whorls above and below; with the Latin +ISTI N SVB PEDE PORTAT AVIS inscription for 'The bird carries this name under its foot'; Malcolm Jones, Sheffield University, Dept. English Language & Linguistics, Senior Lecturer 1994-2009 and advisor to the British Museum and Portable Antiquities Scheme, says: 'I'm assuming ISTI is for ISTIC ['there'] and the two letters which follow, one on top of the other, I read as N and M, abbreviations for NOMEN MITTENTIS ['name of the sender']. What was evidently a very similar seal with legend reading NOMEN MITTENTIS SUB PEDE PORTAT AVIS is mentioned in the Nouveau Traite de Diplomatique (1750), but here the name under the bird's feet was DIONISIUS. The name under our eagle's feet is unfortunately far from clear -- perhaps RIADM, conceivably an abbreviated version of some such name as RIchard ADaM (?"). The interest of this particular matrix is that it appears to be an example of a type of generic seal to which the purchaser's name could subsequently somehow be added - which may also explain the difference in clarity and execution between the perimeter lettering and that of the scroll in the eagle's feet.' See Linenthal and Noel, Medieval Seal Matrices in the Schøyen Collection, Oslo, 2004, for discussion. 14.30 grams, 33mm (1 1/4"). Property of a South West London gentleman; acquired by his father in the the Levant in the 1970s; by descent 1986. The nimbate eagle is the symbol of the apostle St John the Divine, son of Zebedee and brother of St James the Greater, author of the Gospel of St John and, traditionally, of the Book of Revelations (Apocalypse) in the New Testament; the inscription on this matrix is unusual. Extremely fine condition.
13th-14th century AD. A mixed group of bronze horse harness pendants comprising: a heater shield and strap, gilt with Y-shaped punched design; heater shield with suspension lug, red enamelled field with three bougets (arms of the de Ros family, Helmesley, Yorkshire); heater shield with pierced lug, reserved peacock motif. See Ashley, S. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk, East Anglian Archaeology 101, Dereham, 2002. 56 grams total, 3.5-12cm (1 1/4 - 4 3/4"). Ex Stratford collection, Suffolk, UK; acquired on the UK art market after 2000. [4, No Reserve] Fair condition.
13th century AD. A silvered(?) bronze finger ring comprising a flat-section hoop, plaque with three panels joined by a horizontal line, each with fret and pellet ornament. Cf. Oman, C.C. Victoria and Albert Museum Catalogue of Rings, reprinted Ipswich, 1993, plate XI, item 263 for type. 2.34 grams, 21mm overall, 19.10mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20.0, Japan 19) (3/4"). From an old North Country collection; formed between 1970-2000. Fine condition.
13th-14th century AD. A gilt-bronze lozengiform harness pendant with pierced lug, raised central panel with cross cleché, four radiating quatrefoils to the rim. See Ashley, S. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk, East Anglian Archaeology 101, Dereham, 2002, item 232 for type. 6.77 grams, 31mm (1 1/4"). Property of a Middlesex gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
13th-16th century AD. A bronze cross with splayed ends; engraved to one side with the True Cross on a plinth, IS and N to the side, an abbreviation of IeSvs Nazarenvs for Jesus of Nazareth, crossed spear and sponge on staff, below a ladder; to the reverse the Sacred Heart of Jesus with cross to the top, the letter N to either side, below the letter M; hatched decoration to the end of each arm. 7.76 grams, 47mm (1 3/4"). From a North West London collection; previously acquired in the 1980s. [No Reserve] Extremely fine condition.
12th-14th century AD. A bronze openwork pendant with equal-armed cross to the centre with splayed ends to the arms forming a trefoil; suspension ring to the top. 2.17 grams, 30mm (1 1/4"). Property of a North West London gallery; formerly in a 1980s collection. [No Reserve] Very fine condition.
12th-15th century AD. A bronze archer's ring with a pointed and angled bezel; the hoop flat in cross-section; the bezel decorated with a heater shield divided per pale with hatching to both panels. 12.62 grams, 41.20mm overall, 24.83mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z+7, USA 16, Europe 38.00, Japan 36) (1 1/2"). Property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. [No Reserve] Very fine condition.
13th-15th century AD. A group of two gilt-bronze fittings comprising: a T-shaped panel with raised hatching, lugs to the reverse; a tongue-shaped strap end with reserved foliage. 30.5 grams. 22.6-48.3mm (3/4 - 2"). From a North West London collection; previously acquired in the 1980s. [2, No Reserve] Fair condition.
13th-14th century AD. A bronze vesica-shaped seal matrix with rib and pierced lug to the reverse; seal image of Madonna and child within a building with a pitched roof, ecclesiastic below in attitude of adoration; enigmatic legend to the border 'S' ROBERTI[...]'. 27 grams, 43mm (1 3/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s; found Lincolnshire, UK. Fine condition.
14th-18th century AD. A mixed bronze group comprising: a chessman stamp seal with ribbed baluster to the shank, pierced lozengiform lug, motif of a seated figure with spindle(?) and heater shield with chevron; a finger ring with round-section shank, ellipsoid bezel with signet of 'R' beneath a stylised crown within a frame; a pipe-tamper of armoured St. George spearing a supine dragon with his lance. 31 grams total, 23-65mm (1 - 2 1/2"). Ex Stratford collection, Suffolk, UK; acquired on the UK art market after 2000. [3, No Reserve] Fine condition.
14th-15th century AD. A bronze seal matrix with flat-section pierced handle. discoid plate with central motif of a bird in flight beneath a star, surrounding legend '*NBAH? CTOAH' (Ivan Stoan"). 4.40 grams, 24mm (1"). Property of a London, UK collector; acquired London market, 1990s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
13th century AD. A bronze heater-shaped seal matrix with strap and loop to the reverse, intaglio facing figure among fronds, legend to the border ' +S' RICARDI FIL' SAMSVN' (seal of Richard son of Samson"). Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme under reference PUBLIC-E21F4E. 10 grams, 26mm (1"). Found Suffolk, UK, in 2017; accompanied by a copy of Portable Antiquities Scheme report number PUBLIC-E21F4E. Very fine condition.
Late 13th-early 14th century AD. A bronze heater-shaped harness pendant with integral pierced lug, blue enamelled field with reserved lion rampant, blazoned 'azure, a lion rampant or', the arms of the Neville family. Reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme under ref. SF-D24363; accompanied by a copy of the PAS report. 11 grams, 36mm (1 1/2"). Ex Stratford collection, Suffolk, UK; acquired on the UK art market after 2000. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
13th century AD. A gilt-bronze harness pendant with cruciform hanger, annular rosette pendant with internal hinged spike. 12 grams, 55mm (2 1/4"). Property of a British gentleman; formerly in the private collection of Russian businessman Yuri Golubev (1942-2007), some of his collection was published in his book 'Symbols and Images'; acquired by auction on 5 March 2006; accompanied by a copy of the listing. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
13th-15th century AD. A bronze heater-shaped plaque with enamelled vair field; stud to the reverse. Cf. Ashley, S. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk, East Anglian Archaeology 101, Dereham, 2002, item 125 for type. 4.84 grams, 18mm (3/4"). From an old North Country collection; formed between 1970-2000; found Leicestershire, UK. Fine condition.
18th-19th century AD. A bronze oval plaque decorated with a scene of a satyr copulating with a woman, the woman reclining in the lap of a female satyr who holds a wreath over both figures; to the background a large tree with Herm in front, two satyr masks to the side. 344 grams, 12cm (4 3/4"). From an old North Country collection; formed between 1970-2000. Fine condition.
19th-20th century AD. A bronze relief, in Greek Archaistic style, of the head of a male from the funerary stele of Aristion, Athens; helmet to top of head, bands of hair ending in curls; lentoid-shaped eye, large nose and pointed beard. 1.5 kg, 26.5cm (6 1/2"). Property of a central London gallery; previously acquired from a private collection formed from the 1960s [No Reserve] Fine condition.
18th-19th century AD. A bronze printer's block with heater shield on a florid background with minuscule 'r' and cross below the chief with lion passant, attributed to the city of Rochester, Kent, since 1619 AD. 595 grams, 74mm (3"). Property of a West Sussex gentleman. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
18th century AD. A series of eight marble discoid plaques, each with a red centre and applied bronze imperial bust in profile; suspension bracket to the reverse; Italian workmanship. 5.9 kg, 14cm (5 1/2"). Property of a European gentleman; formerly acquired on the German art market before 1980. [8, No Reserve] Fine condition, some chipped.
17th-18th century AD. A square bronze plaque with ropework border, high-relief facing bust of St. Nicholas holding a book in the left hand and a cruciform sceptre in the right, legend 'CP:T+ ??????'. 49 grams, 63mm (2 1/2"). Property of a British gentleman; formerly in the private collection of Russian businessman Yuri Golubev (1942-2007), some of his collection was published in his book 'Symbols and Images'; acquired by auction on 10 August 2006; accompanied by a copy of the listing. [No Reserve] Fine condition; small piercing to lower edge.
16th-17th century AD. A bronze cross pendant with integral loop, high-relief Corpus Christi with ring-and-dot motifs. 12 grams, 41mm (1 3/4"). Property of a British gentleman; formerly in the private collection of Russian businessman Yuri Golubev (1942-2007), some of his collection was published in his book 'Symbols and Images'; acquired by auction on 19 August 2006; accompanied by a copy of the listing. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
10th-12th century AD. A bronze cross pendant of four balustered arms, suspension loop above. 9.60 grams, 64mm (2 1/4"). Property of a British gentleman; formerly in the private collection of Russian businessman Yuri Golubev (1942-2007), much of his collection was published in his book 'Symbols and Images'; acquired by auction on 27 December 2006; accompanied by a copy of the listing. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
17th-18th century AD. A mixed bronze plaque group comprising: one with scene of Mary Theotokos and infant Jesus appearing above a group of worshippers; one with standing nimbate robed figure holding a city in his left hand and sword in his right, kneeling worshippers to the sides. 75 grams total, 57-66mm (2 1/4 - 2 3/4"). Property of a British gentleman; formerly in the private collection of Russian businessman Yuri Golubev (1942-2007), some of his collection was published in his book 'Symbols and Images'; acquired on the London art market 1990s-2007. [2, No Reserve] Fine condition.
Loading...
