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Click here to subscribe10th-7th century BC. A substantial bronze tubular fitting with slightly flared segment, raised collars, ropework bands and columns of raised lugs, narrow neck and flared mouth above. 430 grams, 20cm (8"). Property of a North West London gentleman; formerly with a central London gallery in 1990. Cf. Legrain, L. Luristan Bronzes in the University Museum, Pennsylvania, 1934, item 48. Fine condition.
Ordos, 6th-2nd century BC. A gilt bronze belt hook with fox head in a scrolling knot; ends of scroll hanging to either side; zoomorphic hook to the top, attachment boss to the back. 75 grams, 10cm (4"). Property of an Essex collector; acquired Bonhams, San Francisco, USA; 10 March 2015, sale 22378, lot 8247 (part). Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Roman Period, 30 BC-323 AD. A bronze dog figurine on a rectangular base pierced in two places; the dog crouching with head raised, collar and crescent pendant to the neck; inked initials 'G.N.'(?"). to the underside. 347 grams, 90mm (3 1/2"). Property of a Gloucester gentleman; previously in a Cheltenham collection, formed in the 19th century. Fine condition, corner of base chipped. [No Reserve]
12th-18th century AD. A mixed group of bronze finger rings including inset glass cabochons to the bezel, discoid plaques with incised crosses, concentric rings to the bezel and others. 200 grams total, 18-27mm (3/4 - 1"). From an important London collection, acquired in the 1990s. Fine condition. [48]
17th century AD. A bronze four-way seal matrix comprising four arms radiating from a central hoop, each with a discoid head; motifs comprising a quatrefoil, a bird's head, a flower with leaves, a swan. 13 grams, 34mm (1 1/4"). From an old North Country collection; formed between 1970-2000. Extremely fine condition.
1st-3rd century AD. A bronze bust from a furniture fitting in the form of the god Dionysus, head turned to the left and crowned with vine leaves, robes open at the chest and fawn skin cloak tied at the shoulder. 47 grams, 50mm (2"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; acquired at auction in 2008. Extremely fine condition.
1st-2nd century BC. A bronze Hellenistic oil lamp lid with a male nude seated on a discoid base with curly collar-length hair, the right leg flexed, holding a bunch of grapes(?"). to his chest; base pierced to the rear. 82 grams, 45mm (1 3/4"). Property of a North West London gentleman; formerly with a central London gallery in 1990. The figure is probably that of the infant god Dionysus, god of wine, fertility and mystic ecstasy. Fine condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A high-quality bronze knife handle with rectangular plates to front and back, pierced for attachment; silvered to the front face; the handle with ribbed baluster and rectangular panel with inlaid silver and niello herringbone pattern; above a bulbous head, recurved and with scooped snout and pellet eyes; mounted on a custom-made stand. 53 grams, 10.5cm including stand (4"). Property of a Mayfair London collector; acquired in the 1990s. Very fine condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A pair of bronze figural steelyard weights comprising: bust of Mercury with wings to the sides of the head; bust of a noble lady with mantle to the shoulders, carefully dressed hair. 23 grams total, 22-25mm (1"). Property of a Leeds, UK collector; acquired by inheritance. Fine condition, usage wear. [2, No Reserve]
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze rabbit with arched body and extended forelegs, silver inserts to the eyes, silver collar to the neck. 13 grams, 27mm (1"). From a private German collection, acquired prior to 2000. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 263 for type. Very fine condition.
14th-15th century AD. A gilt-bronze figurine of the crucified Christ with raised arms; the head tilted and legs crossed with the loincloth draped from the left hip; the crown of thorns carefully detailed. 51 grams, 90mm (3 3/4"). Found Nottinghamshire, UK, 1990s-2000s. Fine condition, right hand and left arm absent. [No Reserve]
3rd-6th century AD. A long silver bowl, elliptical in plan with rounded underside, thickened rim. 393 grams, 27cm (10 3/4"). Property of a North West London gentleman; formerly with a central London gallery in 1990. Cf. Muscarella, O.W. Bronze and Iron. Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, item 428. A small number of silver bowls of this shape are known from the Sassanian period, with most being decorated with harvest scenes or royal investiture, which would suggest that they were used in some sort of ritual or formal banqueting occasion. For similar example once in the Botkin collection, Russia, see The Museum of Islamic Art, Berlin, accession number I.47/59. Fine condition.
6th century AD. A bronze polyhedral earring element of Frankish type with D-shaped hole to accept the earring, one face with a loop and another with gilt sheet silver bands to two triangular and one rhomboidal socket, two with garnet cloison inserts. 26 grams, 21mm (3/4"). Found Cambridgeshire, UK. Cf. example from a female tomb of the Middle Rhine in Burollet, T. (ed."). Les Francs: Précurseurs de l'Europe, Paris, 1997, item 15. Fair condition, loop broken.
13th-6th century BC. A bronze finial comprising a round-section shank with two lateral curved arms each with a beaded border forming the neck of opposed beast-heads with gaping mouths; between the arms, a trapezoidal plaque with stylised zoomorphic face to each face; old collector's label with '19C' notation. 85 grams, 80mm (3 1/4"). From the collection of a North West London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Cf. Legrain, L. Luristan Bronzes in the University Museum, Pennsylvania, 1934, plate V, item 15. Fine condition.
14th century AD. A bronze brooch in the shape of a hexagonal rose with pointed arch edges with lobes in-between, pierced in the body to form triangle pattern; pin attached to edge of body. 28 grams, 55mm (2 1/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; from the private collection of John Moor, Brigantia Antiquities, York, UK, 2008; acquired by John Moore in the 1980s. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
2nd millennium BC. A bronze standing male figure dressed in a long skirt, right hand pointing upward and left hand stretched in front of the body, wearing a cap uncovering ears; mounted on a custom-made stand. 139 grams, 12.5cm including stand (5"). From the collection of a North West London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Fine condition.
13th-6th century BC. A large 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. 151 grams, 36.6cm (14 1/2"). From an old English collection; acquired on the UK art market before 1970. 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. Fine condition.
9th-12th century AD. A bronze tubular handle with four panels of low-relief ornamental knotwork. 60 grams, 91mm (3 3/4"). Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. Fine condition, usage wear; two small casting flaws.
20th century AD. A gilt bronze statue of the goddess Tara seated on a lotus base, right hand held down on knee, left held up in blessing; both hands holding open lotus flowers that branch up to frame the body; ornaments in the form of necklaces, crown, armlets, and bracelets; details of the face painted. 24.5 kg, 68cm (26 3/4"). From the Cheuk family collection. In Buddhism, Tara is a Buddhist saviour-goddess especially popular in Tibet, Nepal and Mongolia. In Tibet, where Tara is the most important deity, her name is Sgrol-ma, meaning she who saves. The goddess of universal compassion, Tara represents virtuous and enlightened action. It is said that her compassion for living beings is stronger than a mother's love for her children. She also brings about longevity, protects earthly travel, and guards her followers on their spiritual journey to enlightenment. Before she was adopted by Buddhism, Tara was worshipped in Hinduism as a manifestation of the goddess Parvati; the Hindu aspect of Tara still has an important shrine at Tarapith, Bengal. The feminine principle was not venerated in Buddhism until the fourth century AD, and Tara probably entered Buddhism around the sixth century AD. According to Buddhist tradition, Tara was born out of the tears of compassion of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. It is said that he wept as he looked upon the world of suffering beings, and his tears formed a lake in which a lotus sprung up. When the lotus opened, the goddess Tara was revealed. Fine condition.
10th-12th century AD. A bronze miniature cosmetic or medicinal spoon, the handle formed as a bifacial figure with hands on the hips, pierced lug above. 11 grams, 79mm (3 1/4"). Property of a professional collector; acquired before 1990. Fine condition, professionally cleaned and conserved. [No Reserve]
2nd-1st century BC. A large bronze bow brooch of La Tène II type with spring and pin attached to the head, balustered bow, returned foot with hatch detailing, bulb and bifid finial; catch formed as a slot in the foot. 43 grams, 79mm (3 1/4"). Property of a German gentleman; acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. Cf. Hattatt, R. Iron Age and Roman Brooches, Oxford, 1985, item 227 for type. Very fine condition. [No Reserve]
Later 2nd-3rd century AD. A bronze box-chape with slightly flared lateral edges, scrolled lower edge; the outer face with raised leaf-shaped panel and median rib, crescentic voids below the arched bow with notched upper edge; the reverse with plain bow to the upper edge, similar voids; silver(?"). domed rivet to the front face. 41 grams, 53mm (2"). From a private German collection, acquired prior to 2000. Cf. Chapman, E.M. A Catalogue of Roman Military Equipment in the National Museum of Wales, BAR British Series no.388, Oxford, 2005, items Bc04, Bc14. Fine condition.
Qin Dynasty, 221-207 BC. A bronze socketted spearhead with central rib, hole in socket for attachment; makers mark in the form of five characters to the base. 2.6 grams, 12.5cm (5"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; from the private collection of John Moor, Brigantia Antiquities, York, UK; acquired by John Moore in the 1960s. Fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A group of three bronze penannular bracelets, each a flat-section strap with a bear's head in plan to each end, geometric ornament; Baltic workmanship. 281 grams total, 62-69mm (2 1/2 - 2 3/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired before 1990. Cf. Sedov, B.B. Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate LXXI, item 24. Fine condition. [3, No Reserve]
2nd millennium BC. A pair of Bronze Age leaf-shaped blades, both with central rib, separate socketted handle, flared guard, pierced grip with bone pommel absent. 294 grams total, 21-23.5cm (8 1/4 - 9 1/4"). From an old English collection; acquired on the UK art market before 1970. Cf. Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran - The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, p.375, Cat.2, inventory no.668. Fine condition. Scarce. [2]
4th-5th century AD. A horse-harness suite comprising: iron snaffle-bit with bronze side-bars and four gilt-bronze strap-plates each with repoussé circles and three cabochon garnet inserts; four tongue-shaped gold strap ends with repoussé zigzags and fixing rivets; two lozengiform gold pendants with geometric repoussé detailing, bronze disc suspension point; three gold foil strap junctions, each a group of five gold foil discs with cabochon garnet inserts, beaded borders; twelve strap reinforcers, each three discs joined by hatched panels, three cabochon garnet inserts. 111 grams total, pendants: 52mm (2"). Fine condition. Very rare. [22] From a European collection; formerly in an old Oriental collection; acquired 1960. Cf. garnet and gold plaques in Bonora, G.L. & Marzatico, F. Ori dei Cavalieri delle Steppe, Milan, 2007, p.296 plate 8.
9th-11th century AD. A group of three bronze penannular bracelets comprising: one of longitudinally twisted rods, one of twisted wires with loop finials, one similar with a spiral within each loop. 45 grams total, 60-70mm (2 1/2 - 2 3/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired before 1990. Fine condition. [3, No Reserve]
13th-6th century BC. A bronze axehead with tubular socket and rectangular blade, ribbed collar to lower edge of the socket and open-mouthed beast-head above. 171 grams, 11.5cm (4 1/2"). Property of a retired London collector; acquired before 1990. Cf. Legrain, L. Luristan Bronzes in the University Museum, Pennsylvania, 1934, plate XII. Fine condition, repaired.
1st century BC-1st century AD. A surgical tool comprising a bronze body and iron blade; the square-section handle with ribbed collar, extended leaf-shaped blade to the rear, inset blade with curved edge. 22 grams, 14.5cm (5 3/4"). From a private German collection; acquired prior to 2000. See Milne, J.S. Surgical Instruments in Greek and Roman Times, Oxford, 1907, for discussion. Very fine condition.
2nd millennium BC. A bronze frame formed as three hoops connected by vertical bars each with a median bulb, three flared feet, three radiating horned bovine heads to the upper hoop. 2.6 kg, 28.5cm (11 1/4"). Property of a German gentleman; acquired 1980-1990. Fine condition; one horn and one foot damaged. Very rare.
6th century AD. A gilt-bronze saucer brooch with flat rim, chip-carved quatrefoil to the centre, remains of pin-lug and catch to the reverse. 5.05 grams, 20mm (3/4"). Found near Upminster, Essex, UK. Cf. MacGregor, A. & Bolick, E. A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non-Ferrous Metals), Oxford, 1993, item 2.26. The brooch lies on the lower end of the size range for saucer brooches, and the upper end for button brooches. The quatrefoil design is more usually associated with the saucer type. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze appliqué bust of a maenad with vine leaf headdress framing long hair falling to the shoulders; tunic over body and to the right leg of fawn skin mantle hangs down; eyes and parts of robes inlaid in silver. 158 grams, 85mm (3 1/4"). Fine condition. Property of a West Yorkshire lady; acquired from BidAncient, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK, 15 June 2005; with the original Certificate of Authenticity, bank receipt and correspondence. See Mattusch, C. Pompeii and the Roman Villa: Art and Culture Around the Bay of Naples, London, 2008, for similar examples. Previously identified as the goddess Diana, the appliqué is that of a maenad, a female follower of Bacchus, god of wine. The characteristic features of the maenads were a wreath of ivy and vine leaves, as well as a cloak made from the skin of a fawn, all of which are present on this piece. The wide expressive eyes on this piece suggest ritual intoxication and ecstatic frenzy for which the maenads were noted during their worship of Bacchus.
14th century AD. A bronze bell-shaped vessel with radiating loop and studs to the rim; reserved parcel-gilt calligraphic text on a patterned field with rosettes below. 1.7 kg, 14.5cm high (5 3/4"). The property of a German gentleman; acquired 1980s-early 1990s. Cf. von Gladiss, A. Glanz und Substanz. Metallarbeitung in der Sammlung des Museums für Islamische Kunst, Berlin, 2012, item 68 for type. Fair condition; base absent.
17th-18th century AD or later. A gilt bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara standing on a lotus flower, flowing robes around the waist and legs, right hand held up in Abhya Mudra, left holding an open lotus flower; sash around shoulders; head with central Buddha image on the crown. 3 kg, 32cm (12 1/2"). Private collection, North London; acquired in the early 1990s. Fine condition.
17th-18th century AD. A bronze magic bowl with raised boss in the centre, wide foot to the base; geometric pattern to the inside with Koranic inscriptions over the surface; outside with roundels and entire surface covered with inscriptions from the Koran. 463 grams, 19.5cm (7 3/4"). Property of a German gentleman; acquired before 1989. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
10th-11th century AD. A bronze pendant comprising a triangular panel with ribbed and zigzag bars, chains to the lower edge each with a duck-foot finial; Baltic workmanship. 109 grams, 18cm (7"). Property of a gentleman; acquired before 1990. Cf. Sedov, B.B. Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plates XXIX, XXX, XXXV. Fine condition, loop absent. [No Reserve]
14th-15th century AD. A pair of finger rings comprising: one silver with facetted hoop, hexagonal plaque with pelleted border, hatched capital 'R'; one bronze with flat-section hoop, stepped shoulders, octagonal bezel with hatched capital 'R'. 15 grams total, 26mm (1"). Property of a European gentleman living in the UK; formerly in a private collection formed in the 1990s. Very fine condition. Large wearable sizes. [2]
10th-12th century AD. A pair of bronze finger rings comprising: a broad flat-section hoop with geometric detailing, octagonal plaque with radiating shapes; a D-section hoop with ellipsoid plaque, reserved star on a textured field. 16 grams total, 22-24mm (1"). Property of a London, UK collector; acquired London market, 1990s. Very fine condition. [2, No Reserve]
12th-15th century AD. A D-section flat bronze hoop enclosing a discoid plaque with incised pentagram. 4.21 grams, 22.03 overall, 19.51mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.26, Japan 20"). (1"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired before 1995. The pentagram was used in ancient times as a Christian symbol for the five wounds of Christ. In the medieval period it was recognised as the Seal of Solomon and occurs in the 14th-century English poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, in which the symbol decorates the shield of the hero, Gawain. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
14th century AD. A large enamelled bronze bifacial horse-harness banneret with lozengiform plaque and lateral ring; the heraldic design blazoned 'Azure a lion rampant gardant or', a variant of the arms of the Neville family. 45 grams, 67mm (2 3/4"). Found Hampshire, UK. The arms of the Neville family are 'Azure a lion rampant or', of which the present heraldry appears to be a variant with the lion facing the viewer. The lozenge-shaped banneret denoted a female bearer of the arms. Fine condition.
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