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Click here to subscribe3rd-5th century AD. A pair of bronze mounts comprising: a lozenge with openwork design of four trumpets; a band of lozenges with lobbed panels between. 30 grams total, 22-80mm (1 - 3 1/4"). Property of a London, UK collector; acquired London market, 1990s. Very fine condition. [2, No Reserve]
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; hollow to the reverse. 10 grams, 45mm (1 3/4"). Property of a European collector; acquired before 2000. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate. For the gesture and design see Oldtidens Ansigt, Det kongelige Nordiske Oldskiftselska og Jysk Arkaeologist Selskab, 1990, p.134, 138. 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 a 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 Frey 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 Frey. 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. Very fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A mixed group of gilt-bronze mounts comprising: two facing with raised ears; one a serpent in profile; one a fastener loop with two facing masks. 17 grams total, 20-25mm (3/4 - 1"). From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. Fine condition, usage wear. [4, No Reserve]
17th-18th century AD. A bronze plaque in the form of a shrine with pointed arch within which stands the Buddha on a lotus flower, right hand raised in blessing; to the lower sides are two bearded Naga serpents, tails coiling up sides of the shrine; outside of shrine are flames and leaves of a tree; to the reverse an empty pointed arch shrine with Naga serpents to the sides; to the top three meditating Buddha images in smaller shrines, leaves of tree above; tang to the base. 1.16 kg, 34cm (13 1/2"). Ex Kinnard collection, Oxford, UK, formed in the early 1980s; thence by decent 2015. Very fine condition.
17th century AD or later. A gilt bronze figure of Manjushri, seated on a lotus flower wearing jewelled crown and rows of jewels at neck and on robes; right hand holding sword, left held up in blessing with lotus flower to the side; elaborate crown and hair pulled up into a bun. 3.5 kg, 27cm (10 1/2"). Acquired on the London art market prior to 1980. Fine condition.
8th-12th century AD. A bronze knife with flat topped blade and bone or antler handle with engraved spiral lines on the body and terminating band of horizontal lines. 26 grams, 12cm (4 3/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; previously in the Brian Riley collection, Yorkshire, UK, 2007. Fine condition.
2nd millennium BC. A bronze figurine of a goddess standing with her hands supporting her breasts, rounded cap with incised eye motif to the upper face; pierced between the feet for attachment. 22 grams, 46mm (1 3/4"). From a West Sussex collection formed before 1980. Very fine condition. [No Reserve]
8th-9th century AD. A bronze disc brooch decorated with ridged concentric circles comprising a tall central cell surrounded by an annular panel divided into cells, each enclosing a radially placed triangle; outside, roundel and ring-and-dot detailing, broken by a single bar at one point aligned with the axis of the pin; pierced pin lug and catchplate complete to the reverse. 12 grams, 32mm (1 1/4"). Found East Anglia, UK. Cf. MacGregor, A. & Bolick, E. A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non-Ferrous Metals), BAR British Series 230, 1993, p.66, item 4.55. Very fine condition, cleaned and conserved.
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze wine strainer with deep rounded and perforated bowl, flat-section handle with loop finial and addorsed bird-heads; fragments of gauze adhering to the inner face of the bowl. 197 grams, 25cm (10"). Ex V.C. Vecchi and Sons Ltd., Great Smith Street, London, 1971-1985. Fine condition, rim cracked.
11th-14th century AD. A bronze finger ring with pad to the underside and triangular extension decorated with incised geometric designs. 7.32 grams, 35 mm overall, 23.62mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z+4, USA 14 1/2, Europe 34.33, Japan 33"). (1 1/4"). From a private UK collection, formed in the 1980s-1990s. Fine condition.
2nd millennium BC. A mixed set of bronze fitting comprising: a linked bit, each element pierced below the ring; two domed studs; two terrets each with a domed head, three lateral loops and a spoon-shaped finial. 264 grams total, 15-125mm (1/2 - 5"). Property of a professional gentleman, acquired 2011; formerly in a Russian private collection formed before 1950. Fine condition. [6, No Reserve]
12th-14th century AD. A mixed group of bronze Mordvinian omega brooches, one with lateral loops to the plaques. 40 grams total, 49-54mm (2 - 2 1/4"). Property of a professional gentleman, acquired 2011; formerly in a Russian private collection formed before 1950. See Sedov, B.B. Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate XLIV, item 11. Fine condition. [3, No Reserve]
11th-13th century AD. A gilt bronze horse harness in the shape of a flat disc decorated with scrolling lines; projecting and slightly twisted suspension ring. 10 grams, 60mm (2 1/2"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; acquired from Durham, UK collector; found near York, Yorkshire, UK. Fine condition.
8th-12th century AD. A bronze weight, square in plan with incised rosette to each of the broad faces with inlaid silver pellets, incised roundels to the edges. 55 grams, 24mm (1"). Property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. See discussion in Weber, K. Byzantinische Münzgewichte: Materialkorpus für 1-Nomisma-Gewichte, Schwelm, 2009. Very fine condition, cleaned and conserved.
3rd-5th century AD. A bronze C-section bracelet with rectangular flange finials and median ornament. 56 grams, 73mm (3"). From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. The Kiev archaeological culture was located in the basin of the rivers Dnieper and Visla; between the 3rd and 5th centuries; archaeologists connect this culture with historical ancestors of the Slavs. However, there are suggestions that in different regions of the Kiev culture ethnogenetic processes were not the same. In some cases, the Slavic component prevailed, whilst Baltic and others were dominant elsewhere. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
6th century AD. A gilt bronze button brooch of Avent and Evison's Type Dii with a stylised helmetted face and well-defined brow and nose; part of pin and catch plate to the rear. 3.77 grams, 20mm (3/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; acquired at auction in 2008. Cf. Avent, R. & Evison, V.I. Anglo-Saxon Button Brooches in Archaeologia, vol.CVII, 1982, p.83-4. Fine condition.
19th century AD. A sheet bronze heater-shaped plaque with repoussé heraldic shield with cardinal's galero hat and ribbons, arms a cross engrailed with four lions' heads and lion passant, in chief two ravens and a cinquefoil; the arms of Christ Church College, Oxford. 412 grams, 29.5cm (11 1/2"). Property of a Gloucestershire, UK collector; acquired UK, 1990-2015. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze openwork plaque with central triskele and surrounding scrolls extending to a flat-section band attached by four rectangular studs to the quadrant-section outer band; mounted on a custom-made stand. 94 grams, 12cm high including stand. Property of a Scottish gentleman; acquired in the 1990s. Cf. Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N. Roman Military Equipment From the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome, London, 1993, plate 7(a); James, S. Excavations at Dura Europos 1928-1937. VII The Arms, Armour and Other Military Equipment, London, 2004, items 329, 330. The late first and early second centuries AD saw the production in Roman Britain of openwork bronzes with confronted trumpet patterns; a mould for producing brooches in the style has been found at the fort of South Shields on Hadrian's Wall. The style is Celtic but they were also manufactured on the Continent, such as Switzerland which has produced examples signed by a craftsman named Gemellianus. Objects such as this have been found all over the Roman empire, even as far away as Syria. They were the products of a Celtic style taken up by non-Celts and adopted as part of the Roman ornamental repertoire. Fine condition.
15th century AD. A pair of bronze finger rings, each with a flat-section hoop and discoid plaque; one with an intaglio bird motif with pointillé hatching, the other with a pentagram. 12 grams total, 22mm (1"). Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. Cf. Oman, C.C. Victoria and Albert Museum Catalogue of Rings, reprinted Ipswich, 1993 item 274 for type. Very fine condition. [2, No Reserve]
7th-10th century AD. A gilt-bronze belt mounted on a modern leather backing with a series of twisted metal rods; bow shared buckle and buckle plate with image of a saint holding a scroll. 121 grams, 36cm (14 1/4"). The property of a German gentleman; acquired 1980s-early 1990s. Fair condition.
11th-15th century AD. A mixed group of gilt-bronze mounts comprising: a heater-shaped plaque with rosette and radiating bands; a quatrefoil with central boss; a rosette with radiating hooks (kolovrot?); a cross with ribbed arms; an ovoid plaque with fleur-de-lys and slot; a tongue-shaped bar with tendrils; a heater-shaped bar with knop to the rear; a quatrefoil with central knop; a quatrefoil with openwork central plaque. 85 grams total, 30-55mm (1 1/4 - 2 1/4"). From an old German collection, formed in the 1990s. Fine condition. [9, No Reserve]
11th-14th century AD. A bronze D-section hoop with expanding shoulders, rectangular plaque with projections to the corners and edges, incised linear border with central bird(?"). motif. 11 grams, 23mm overall, 18.87mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.0, Japan 18"). (1"). Private collection, South West London; acquired before 2000. Fine condition.
5th-8th century AD. A bronze pendant in the shape of a fire shovel with long handle and square body decorated with engraved ring and dot pattern. 16.56 grams, 70mm (2 3/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; previously in the Brian Riley collection, Yorkshire, UK, 2007. Cf. Meaney, A. Anglo-Saxon Amulets and Curing Stones, Oxford, 1981, for a discussion on miniature household objects as amulets. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
1st-2nd century AD. A hollow-formed bronze terminal formed as a youthful male bust on a balustered pedestal with ivy-leaf detail to the chest; the hair neatly dressed with a forelock, socket to the underside. 136 grams, 79mm (3 1/4"). Fine condition. Found Stelling Minnis, Kent, 2013. A rare UK find. Recorded with the Portable Antiquity Scheme (PAS), reference number KENT-FE87D8, with a copy of the PAS report.
Later 2nd millennium BC. A bronze figurine of an advancing warrior in conical helmet and tunic, the right arms raised and hand pierced to accept a spear, the left arm thrust forward to accept a shield; large attachment pegs beneath the feet. 46 grams, 90mm (3 3/4"). Fine condition. [No Reserve] Property of a Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK, collector.
9th century AD. A late Anglo-Saxon or Viking bronze disc brooch with champ levé enamel cells to the face forming an expanding-arm cross; remains of lug and catchplate to the reverse. 3.87 grams, 18mm (3/4"). English private collection; acquired continental Europe in the 1970s. Cf. similar brooch from Barha, Sufolk, UK in West, S. A Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Finds From Suffolk, East Anglian Archaeology 84, Ipswich, 1998, fig.3-5. Very fine condition.
Late 3rd millennium BC. An Early Bronze Age copper flat axe of rectangular section, tapered from a narrow squared butt to slightly convex cutting edge. 75 grams, 10cm (4"). From an old North Country collection; found Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswolds, UK, 1999. See Savoury, H. N., Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections, National Museum of Wales, 1980, fig.17 for similar examples. Very fine condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A substantial bronze seal with flat-section loop and discoid ledge, balustered shank and model human foot with retrograde 'FLX' legend for felix 'lucky'. 58 grams, 52mm (2"). From an old Hampshire collection; acquired from Ancient Art, London, UK, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by Ancient Art. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
15th century AD. A large bronze door key, the circular hoop with foliate ornament, a chamfered shank hollow at the tip and with collar at top, with toothed cut wards. 67 grams, 11cm (4 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; found Sleaford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2002. See Perkins, J. B. Ward, London Museum Medieval Catalogue, London, 1940, pl.XXX for similar examples. Fine condition.
9th century AD. A gilt-bronze tongue-shaped convex plaque with two pierced lugs to the underside; the upper face with applied silver plates forming a stylised animal-head. 7.09 grams, 28mm (1"). Property of a gentleman, acquired in 1999 by descent; formerly in a 19th century collection. See facing mask on the Danish Aarhus runestone in Jesch, J. Ships and Men in the Late Viking Age: The Vocabulary of Runic Inscriptions and Skaldic Verse, Woodbridge, 2001. Fine condition. Very rare.
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze mount formed as two addorsed phalloi with a loop above, median plaque with facing male genitals. 33 grams, 67mm (2 3/4"). Property of an Oxfordshire gentleman; found Kidlington, Oxfordshire, UK. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 434. Fine condition.
8th-12th century AD. A bronze group consisting of a ring with punched ring and dot motif, open at the ends to adjust size; a brooch with Urnes style decoration of interlocking lines forming a flower motif, silvering to the surface; remains of pin and catchplate to the rear. 7.84 grams total, ring: 21.57mm overall, 21.13mm internal diameter (approximate ring size British X, USA 11 5/8; Europe 66 1/4, Japan 24); brooch 28mm (3/4 - 1 1/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; previously in the Brian Riley collection, Yorkshire, UK, 2007. Fine condition. [2, No Reserve]
1st century BC-1st century AD. A surgical tool comprising a bronze body and iron blade; the handle with scrolled lower edge, extended ellipsoid bowl to the rear, inset short blade with flat top and curved edge. 19 grams, 12.5cm (5"). From a private German collection; acquired prior to 2000. Cf. Milne, J.S. Surgical Instruments in Greek and Roman Times, Oxford, 1907, plate VI for type. Fine condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze herm with slender, pillar-shaped body with genitals, lugs to the sides; male bust with features of a Hellenistic ruler with hair brushed forward and fillet tied at the brow, ends falling down the back. 41 grams, 80mm (3 1/4"). Fine condition. Property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. See Smith, R.R.R. Hellenistic Royal Portraits, Oxford, 1988. The piece has the facial features of a Hellenistic ruler, most likely one of the Ptolemies of Egypt. The features would suggest Ptolemy III Eurgetes who ruled Egypt from 246 to 222 BC. The fillet in the hair was a common symbol of the Hellenistic rulers and comes from the fashion popular with the Macedonian royal family, from whom many Hellenistic royal families claimed descent. The practice of having portraits of the Hellenistic rulers was one cultivated by the Roman elite, as seen in the life size bronze herm portraits at the Villa of the Papyri near Pompeii, and which indicated the sophisticated tastes and culture of the owner.
1st century AD and later. A large group of glass including Venetian as well as earlier beads, ceramic, stone, bronze and amber beads of various shapes and sizes; one bone spindle whorl, one ceramic spindle whorl and one small shell. 174 grams total, 6-37mm (1/4 - 1 1/2"). Property of a German gentleman; acquired 1980-1990. Fine condition. [52]
11th-12th century AD. A bronze discoid bifacial sword pommel with lead fill, ferrous tang and securing rivets; one face with radiating leaf-shaped arms between D-shaped ribbed panels, the reverse with central cross and ring of scrolled foliage, both in openwork with lead field; the outer rim with running band of interlace openwork with lead field. 220 grams, 44mm (1 3/4"). From an old British private collection; formed between 1975 and 1985. Cf. Oakeshott, E. Records of the Medieval Sword, Woodbridge, 1991, plate XII.13 for type. Fine condition.
2nd century BC-1st century AD. A bronze discoid mount, with lentoid eyes, vertical bar for the nose and scaphoid mouth, radiating lines to the upper edge; mounted on a custom-made stand. 69 grams, 55mm including stand (2 1/4"). Property of a Scottish gentleman; acquired in the 1990s. Fine condition. Rare.
10th-11th century AD. A bronze one-piece mould for a lunate pendant with ring-and-dot, billet and pellet detailing, pouring channel above and transverse channel to accept a wire for the suspension loop. 39 grams, 46mm (1 3/4"). From an old German collection, formed in the 1990s. Extremely fine condition. [No Reserve]
14th-18th century AD. A mixed bronze group comprising: a substantial crescentic pendant with beaded borders, teardrop and discoid bosses, pierced ends; a crescentic plaque with suspension loop above; a hinged plaque with scrolled edges, studs to the reverse. 159 grams total, 32-69mm (1 1/4 - 2 3/4"). Property of a retired London collector; acquired before 1990. Fair condition. [3]
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