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Click here to subscribe6th-7th century AD. A discoid bronze trade weight with low-relief image to one face of a church façade with gabled roofs, windows, door with prominent cross above. Cf. Bendall, S. Byzantine Weights: An Introduction, London, 1996, item 90 for architectural image. 125 grams, 49mm (2"). From a German collection; acquired on the German art market before 1990. [No Reserve]. Fine condition.
Warring States, 475-221 BC. A gilt bronze belt hook with arching body decorated at the foot with two dragon heads with collars and rosettes to the necks; along the body the heads of an owl, dragon and a fox; neck with three lobed collar and arching head of a dragon; scrolled circles to the body; to the underside a raised boss decorated with scrolled pelta pattern. See, Lawton, T. Chinese Art of the Warring States Period: Change and Continuity, 480-222 B.C, Washington, 1982. 273 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. For a period of two hundred and fifty years the Zhou dynasty was divided among eight states who were at constant war with one another to gain control. The phenomenon of intensive warfare, based on mass formations of infantry rather than the traditional chariots, was one major trend which led to the creation of strong central bureaucracies in each of the major states. Chinese polity developed a bias towards centralization and unity, which can be traced from this period. On the one hand, it was a time of rivalry between competing states. On the other, as states consolidated their rule, they annexed smaller dukedoms. Confucius had already established unity as an ideal, and the end of this period saw the ascendancy of the Qin dynasty and China as a single imperial state. The rise of the aristocratic feudal families in this period saw an increase in the use of elaborate court ceremonial that required clothing and accessories as a means of displaying wealth, power and the concept of established stability. As such the ruling families presented themselves as representing the mandate of heaven, which they believed legitimized their rule and the right to conquer their neighbours with whom they were at constant war. . Very fine condition.
5th-4th century BC. A bronze kylix, or drinking cup, with shallow bowl decorated to the inside with rosette in the centre and concentric bands of floral motifs; outer band with warriors standing in chariots drawn by two horses; handles attached to rim by hinges; pedestal foot to the base. 178 grams, 12.5cm (5"). Ex German collection; acquired 1980s. . Very fine condition.
11th-15th century AD. A group of bronze fittings with enamel, comprising: two roundels with silver inlaid flower with double row of petals, black enamel to the background, two straps to the back; a six petalled flower with scrolling plant motif to each petal, lug to the back; a quatrefoil mount with interlaced loops and white enamel to the background, suspension ring to the back; a triangular mount with white and red enamel to the centre, trefoil ends with red dot of enamel, each joined by a loop; a strap end with fleur de lis, attachment lugs to the back; a square mount with running lion, facing forward and with crown on head, yellow enamel, attachment lug to back; a pyramidal mount with cells filled white enamel inlay, attachment lug to the back; three rosettes with white enamel inlay to the petals, attachment lugs to the back. 89 grams total, 14-36mm (1/2 - 1 1/2"). Property of a German gentleman; acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. [11, No Reserve]. Fine condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze mask of Venus with billeted brow-band, lateral braids and hair; eyes hollowed to accept silver inserts; hollow to the reverse. 26 grams, 40mm (1 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly the property of a Surrey gentleman, acquired 1970s. . Very fine condition.
6th-7th century AD. A large bronze strap end with openwork body, decorated with interlinked scrolling pattern; zoomorphic head to one end with bulging eyes and large ears. 18 grams, 65mm (2 1/2"). Ex Haynes collection, Kent, UK; acquired from TimeLine Originals in 2008. [No Reserve]. Very fine condition.
1st-3rd century AD. A group of bronze rings with engraved bezels consisting of one with a dolphin, one with the thunderbolt of Jupiter, one with a gryphon, one with a plant motif (?), one with a running dog. 19 grams, 18-22mm overall, 16-20mm internal diameter. (1/4 - 1"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired before 1995. [5]. Fine condition.
3rd-4th century AD. A bronze key with rectangular shank and flat-section octagonal facetted annular bow, cranked neck with saw-cut teeth. Cf. Pall, M. Schlüssel und Schlösser, Graz, 2012, item 2900. 89 grams, 75mm (3"). Property of a European collector; acquired Europe, 1980s-1990s. . Extremely fine condition.
6th-7th century AD. A bronze oil lamp with small basal ring, piriform body with long nozzle and chamfered rim to the vent, hinged scallop lid, ring handle with thumb-pad and cruciform reflector. Cf. Bailey, D.M. A Catalogue of the Lamps in the British Museum. IV. Lamps of Metal and Stone and Lampstands, London, 1988, item Q3800. 266 grams, 14.5cm (5 3/4"). From a German collection; acquired on the German art market before 1990. [No Reserve]. Fine condition; hole to underside for attachment of a separate flared base.
9th-12th century AD. A bronze pendant with tubular body and three suspension loops below, supporting a key with curved bit, a twisted point, a flat-section spoon with broad bowl and guilloche detail. 15 grams, 90mm (3 1/2"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. . Fine condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze figurine of Minerva standing wearing floor-length robe, and crested helmet, left hand hollow and raised to accept a spear, right hand hollow and extended. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 67. 28 grams, 62mm (2 1/2"). Property of a European collector; acquired Europe, 1980s-1990s. . Fine condition.
7th-8th century AD. A bronze ring with even, angular shank with bosses to the angles and base, striated lines to the shoulder; raised bezel engraved with equal armed cross. 5 grams, 18.89mm overall, 15.04mm internal diameter (approximate ring size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.12, Japan 7) (1/2"). Ex Haynes collection, Kent, UK; acquired from Coincraft in 2008. [No Reserve]. Extremely fine condition.
1st-3rd century AD. A bronze cooking vessel comprising a squat bowl with chamfered flange rim, waisted flat-section handle, flared base with inset panel. 729 grams, 40cm (15 3/4"). From a German collection; acquired on the German art market before 1990. [No Reserve]. Fine condition; base distorted.
10th-11th century AD. A bronze encolpion, or reliquary cross, with hinged suspension ring at the top and remains of one at the bottom; on the body of the cross is worn image of crucified Christ; one the back is figure in orans, or prayer, position with arms slightly raised. 20 grams, 56mm (2 1/4"). UK art market, acquired prior to 1980. . Fine condition.
6th-7th century AD. A flat-section gilt-bronze mount formed as a pair of opposed birds of prey each with a curled wing, L-shaped bar to the face, curled beak, parallel hatching to the body, claws raised resting on a triangular plaque with guilloche detail, interlaced panel below; mounting lug to the reverse between the beaks, pierced lug to the lower edge. Cf. similar mount recovered from the barrow at Asthall, Oxfordshire, in MacGregor, A. & Bolick, E. A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non-Ferrous Metals), Oxford, 1993, item 47.18. 10 grams, 46mm (1 3/4"). Found East Anglia, UK; before 2000. . Fine condition, usage wear.
1st-2nd century AD. A group of two flat-section bronze plaque fragments comprising: one sub-rectangular with four lines of text in rustic capitals '[...]VM [...] / [...]OQVE I[...] / [...]HONO[...] / [...]OLONIA'; one sub-triangular with four lines of text in rustic capitals '[...]NDOI[...] / [...]S . TER[...] / [...](Q)VI . I[...] / [...]SOI[...]'. 234 grams total, 63-75mm (2 1/2 - 3"). Property of an Essex collector; acquired on the European art market. The sequence '[.]OLONIA' almost certainly followed the name of the Colonia or administrative centre where the plaque was set up. A Roman colonia was originally a Roman outpost established in conquered territory to secure it. Eventually, however, the term came to denote the highest status of Roman city. The Roman Republic, having no standing army, used to plant bodies of their own citizens in conquered towns as a kind of garrison. Initially these bodies would consist partly of Roman citizens, usually to the number of three hundred; but after Augustus the number was increased and thousands of Romans who retired from their legions were granted lands in many colonies in the empire with the veterans being responsible for the Romanisation of the area. Notable examples of colonia are York, Jerusalem, and Cologne. [2]. Fair condition.
4th-3rd century BC. A bronze fibula with double-coiled spring, P-shaped body with lateral catch and returned foot wound about the bow. Cf. Hattatt, R. Ancient and Romano-British Brooches, Sherborne, 1982, item 6. 18 grams, 85mm (3 1/2"). Property of a London, UK collector; acquired London market, 1990s. [No Reserve]. Fine condition.
17th-18th century AD. A bronze hexagonal table with six lion's claw legs, inlaid stone surface with radiating lotus design, white stone border and six rosette studs; Deccan workmanship. 5.1 kg, 40cm (15 3/4"). Property of a Sussex, UK, collector; acquired on the UK art market, 1990s. . Fine condition.
13th century AD. A gilt bronze belt buckle with interlace parttern to the frame; belt plate with border of raised dots and row of lozenge shapes to the centre, holes at the corner for attachment; a strap end with scrolling plant motif and border of X pattern. 47 grams, 36-64mm (1 1/2 - 2 1/2"). Property of a Middlesex gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. [2, No Reserve]. Fine condition.
17th-18th century AD. A bronze hanging lamp in the shape of a temple finial, or kalasam, three lobes to the top, bulbous body, lobe below and flared base; to the front a spout in the shape of a dragon head with crest to the top, mouth open and with horn shaped oil well coming out; to the top a long suspension chain with hook. 653 grams, 56cm including chain (22"). Property of a Sussex, UK collector; acquired UK 1990s. . Fine condition.
10th-11th century AD. A complex bronze ornament comprising: one larger and one smaller dress pin each with round-section tapering shaft and cruciform finial of four lobes, the larger with conical bosses and the smaller with incised ring-and-dot motifs; a pair of trapezoidal openwork plaques each with conical bosses, the plaque attached to the smaller pin modified after loss of the upper lobe; three substantial double-link chains attached to the rear of each plaque, extending to the central waisted plaque with tremolier ladder pattern motif; the chains supporting a variety of embellishments and pendants comprising: two lengths of coiled rod, a disc pendant with hook, a small conical bell, two larger conical bells, a spherical rumbler bell, a silver disc fragment, a Roman(?) hand pendant in the 'figa' gesture, two flat-section triangular pendants, a fragment of green-glazed ceramic, Baltic workmanship. Cf. Griciuviene, E. Žiemgaliai. The Semigallians, Vilnius, 2005, items 474, 478. 684 grams total, 87cm overall (34 1/4"). Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1980s and 1990s. . Fine condition.
2nd millennium BC. A bronze axehead with socket and tongue-shaped blade; the socket with reinforced mouth and lug to the rear, the blade with lateral ledges. Cf. Legrain, L. Luristan Bronzes in the University Museum, Pennsylvania, 1934, item 44. 301 grams, 15cm (6"). Property of a North West London gentleman; formerly with a central London gallery in 1990. . Fair condition.
12th century AD. A bronze enkolpion reliquary pendant with hinged bar and loop, Corpus Christi to the obverse and incised cross to the reverse, substantial bronze chain with hook-and-eye closure. Cf. Khanenko, B. Antiquités Russes Croix et Images, Kiev, 1899, item 56-7. 98 grams, chain: 62cm, enkolpion: 7.5cm (24 1/2, 3"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. . Fine condition.
13th-14th century AD. A bronze pendant comprising a triangular-section bar with trefoil finials, hinged suspension mount, heater-shaped shield with enamelled butterfly, wings are in white, with spots, perhaps originally gilt. See Ashley, S. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk, East Anglian Archaeology 101, Dereham, 2002 for discussion. 19 grams, 53mm (2"). Ex Edwards collection, Nottingham, UK. [No Reserve]. Very fine condition.
2nd-4th century AD. A bronze cuboid die with two opposed faces bearing six small ring-and-dot motifs, and the remaining four bearing a large central concentric rings motif and a ring-and-dot to each corner. 29 grams, 15mm (1/2"). From a German collection; acquired on the German art market before 1990. The die was evidently not used singly as modern dice are. Possibly it formed part of a set with other numerals, or was used in a game where only certain scores were significant. [No Reserve]. Very fine condition.
12th-15th century AD. A bronze pair of sprung table tongs formed as flat-section arms with angled lentoid feet, running lozenge-in-circle motifs to the outer faces; one riveted arm, suspension loop finial. 80 grams, 22cm (8 3/4"). Property of an Essex, UK collector; acquired London art market, 1960s-1980s. [No Reserve]. Very fine condition.
17th-18th century AD. A bronze heraldic heater shield mount with lambrequin to the upper edge, two sets of quartered arms; the first, a lion rampant with two roundels and fleur-de-lys quartered with a chevron between three boars' heads erased; the second a fess interrupting three fleurs-de-lys quartered with a bend cotised among six martlets; traces of colouring. 96 grams, 54mm (2 1/4"). Ex Edwards collection, Nottingham, UK. [No Reserve]. Fair condition.
Early Qing Dynasty, 17th-18th century AD. A matched pair of bronze stirrups, each a discoid tray with raised rim, arched arms with suspension slot flanked by panels of enamelled floral ornament extending to the arms and base. 3.6 kg total, 16cm (6 1/4"). From the Cheuk family collection; formed before 1970. [2]. Fine condition. Rare.
15th century AD or later. A hollow-formed bronze bracelet with flared flanges to the outer edges containing rosettes and pellets, domed bosses, textured bands with reserved cross cleché. 73 grams, 70mm (2 3/4"). Property of a European collector; acquired Europe, 1980s-1990s. [No Reserve]. Fine condition, usage wear.
Late 18th-early 19th century AD. A bronze chalice comprising: a median quartz crystal bulb; discoid base with raised rim and twelve facing figures, each bearded and with a rod with foliage to the rear; bowl with similar arcade of figures beneath a raised band, two zoomorphic openwork handles, inscription in Lombardic capitals '[..]RESC[.]A PRISCORVM SVSPIRANT VOTA DIPORVM / CERERO SANGVI VIS RESTAVRET O DIEGA GANGV[.]' probably the text Præscia Priscorum suspirant vota virorum / ut sacer hic sanguis restauret quod negat anguis (He foresees the old declaration of vows / to restore the sacred blood that denies the serpent"). 5.1 kg, 25cm (9 3/4"). Property of a Sussex gentleman; acquired before 1990. The text Præscia Priscorum suspirant vota virorum / ut sacer hic sanguis restauret quod negat anguis appears in the work Hübener, K. Beschreibung der hochfürstlich-erzbischöflichen Haupt-Residenzstadt Salzburg ihrer Gegenden verzüglich für Ausländer und Reisende, Salzburg, 1794, p.304 in connection with a paten or item of ecclesiastical silverware. . Fair condition.
13th-6th century BC. A bronze flange-hilted dagger with slender leaf-shaped two-edged blade, hollow grip with socket to each face to accept an insert and lateral flanges to retain it. Cf. Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran - The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, p.381, Cat.13. 196 grams, 38.5cm (15 1/4"). From the collection of a North West London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. . Fair condition.
Rattanakosin Kingdom, 19th century AD. A large bronze head of a Buddha with curly hair, joined eyebrow, almond-shaped half-closed eyes, curved lips and long earlobes; mounted on a stand. 7.95 kg, 55cm including stand (21 3/4"). From the estate of a North Country collector, acquired over a 30 year period from the early 1970s. . Very fine condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A folding knife comprising a short iron blade with straight cutting edge, curved back, lug to the lower edge, pivoted on a bronze handle with slot to the rear formed as an eagle with wings raised. 52 grams, 95mm (3 3/4"). Property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. . Very fine condition.
3rd century BC-3rd century AD. A bronze bowl with broad base and rounded rim; to the inner face, a rosette of seven incised concentric circles with punched ring-and-dot texture; to the outer face, an incised lattice with fill of ring-and-dot motifs in two sizes. 668 grams, 17cm (6 3/4"). Property of a North West London gentleman; formerly with a central London gallery in 1990. . Fair condition, repaired, one portion absent.
1st-2nd century AD. A rectangular bronze mount with pierced flanges to three edges, D-shaped open end, cast staple and loop with domed rivet; inlaid silver image of a galley under oars with crescent moon and stars above. 85 grams, 79mm (3 1/4"). Property of a European collector; acquired Europe, 1980s-1990s. . Fine condition.
9th century AD. A bronze box brooch formed as a hollow drum-shaped casting with ornament to the obverse and sidewall; the high-relief designs comprising four discoid panels of Oseberg Style 'gripping-beast' motifs with a larger dome to the centre and four smaller ones within a hatched border with raised trefoils; the slightly sloping sidewall with four panels of S-shaped animals with interlaced tendrils, separated by hatched borders; small hole to the outer edge of the upper plate; to the reverse, the perimeter flange supported by two integral blocks, the catchplate and pin-hole. Cf. MacGregor, A. et al. A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections, Oxford, 1997, item 1.10. 54 grams, 55mm (2 1/4"). Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. Drum brooches (also called ‘box brooches’, Swedish Dosspännen) were a Scandinavian fashion of the Viking period, beginning in the late 8th century AD and mainly 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, these brooches are characterised by their discoid upper face divided into symmetrical sectors, often with openwork detail; cords and faux-ropework to the edges are a consistent feature of the later designs; some feature a separate cast upper plate while on others it is the baseplate which is separate, 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. The present example with Salin's Style III ornament is among the very earliest known, dating from the 8th century before the onset of the Viking period. It does not feature the customary separate baseplate. . Fine condition. Very rare.
11th century AD. A pair of bronze stirrup mounts comprising: one openwork of Class A Type 10 with thick ledge to the reverse; one flat-section with incised beast-heads, no ledge, Class A Type 1. Cf. Williams, D. Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts, York, 1997, items 10, 197. 48 grams total, 44mm (1 3/4"). Property of a Suffolk lady; acquired on the UK art market. [2, No Reserve]. Fair condition.
18th-19th century AD. A hollow-formed gilt-bronze statuette of Milarepa sitting cross-legged on a dais with a deerskin cover, the antlered head placed to the front; Milarepa with alms bowl to his upturned left palm, holding his right hand to his ear. 1.4 kg, 16cm (6 1/4"). Private collection, North London; acquired in the early 1990s. Milarepa (1052-1135 AD) was born into a wealthy trading family in Tibet. With the death of his father, Milarepa and his mother were thrown out of the family home and his aunt and uncle who took over the family estate and wealth. Milarepa and his mother lived in poverty, and as a teenager Milarepa joined a Buddhist order and there learned the art of meditation. His greatest gift was his voice and he was renowned for his beautiful singing, which together with his knowledge and wisdom of Buddhist teachings, led him to become recognised as a great yogi and mystic. He travelled extensively around Tibet furthering his practice of meditation and esoteric Buddhism and gained a large following; his songs have a deep felt feeling for the transience of life and speak to all levels of society. He went on to found the Kagyu school of Buddhism in Tibet and and is revered as one of the greatest Tibetan scholars. Images of Milarepa commonly show him seated and singing, with his right hand held to his ear. . Fine condition.
7th-11th century AD. A mixed group of bronze belt buckles comprising: two with a cluster of three discoid sockets to the plaque; one with three ring-and-dot motifs to the plaque; one with addorsed scroll motifs to the plaque; two with slot to the rear; two with heart-shaped void to the plaque; one with tongue-shaped plaque, four triangular voids; one with scrolled borders, central lozengiform void. 176 grams total, 36-66mm (1 1/2 - 2 3/4"). From a German collection; acquired on the German art market before 1990. [10, No Reserve]. Fine condition.
1st century BC-2nd century AD. A bronze statuette of Fortuna standing on a socle base with peplos robe and loosely draped mantle, supporting a cornucopia on the left arm and a rudder in the right hand, crown to the head. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 144 for type. 202 grams, 12.5cm (5"). Property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. . Fine condition.
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