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Click here to subscribe3rd-2nd century BC. A cusped round-section bronze hoop supporting an ovoid bezel with intaglio image of Hercules (Heracles) standing nude holding his club and lion-skin. Property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. 4.40 grams, 23mm overall, 18.96mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18) (1"). Extremely fine condition.
1st-3rd century AD. A mixed group of bronze medical instruments comprising: an elongated spoon with bulbous cauterising bulb to the handle; an instrument with spike end and cauterising bulb to the handle; an instrument with flared geometrical terminal. UK art market, acquired prior to 1980. 21.23 grams total, 13.5-14.9cm (5 1/4 - 6"). [3] Fine condition.
1st-3rd century AD. A flat-section bronze discoid plaque with openwork scrolls, rectangular slot to accept a bridle strap, reinforced circular hole for the bit. Property of a Surrey, UK, gentleman; acquired on the London art market 1990s. Cf. James, S. Excavations at Dura Europos 1928-1937. VII The Arms, Armour and Other Military Equipment, London, 2004, item 334. 91 grams, 79mm (3 1/4"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
1st-3rd century AD. A bronze casket handle with tapering body with central band, towards the ends are two mice with tails entwinned around the body of the handles looking towards acorn finials at the ends. Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. 52 grams, 11cm (4 1/4"). Very fine condition.
1st century BC-2nd century AD. A bronze mount, slightly curved in plan, with high-relief figure of a harpy perched on the head of a ram; the female human head on a bird's body with spread wings; coils to the lateral lobes, loop to the rear of the harpy's head. Property of a Hertfordshire gentleman; found Ware, Hertfordshire, UK. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 228 for a harpy in standing pose. In Greek and Roman mythology the Harpy was a female monster with the body of a bird and head of a woman. The name means snatcher and is associated with the belief that they took the souls of evil people to the Erinyes, underworld deities of vengeance. In Greek, and especially Roman art, they are associated with funereal monuments, being carved on tombstones, though bronze examples are known that were used as decorative elements from furniture, such as the recent find of a furniture leg in the shape of a Harpy from Moverons Quarry in Brightlingsea, Essex, and the two figures which decorate the two front corners of a small, portable, domestic Roman brazier, or grate, for indoor use from Pompeii. They have also been used to decorate the handles of bronze vessels (see the example found at Rhodes and now in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Acc. No. 1949.89), as well as mirror handles. 36 grams, 42mm (1 3/4"). Fine condition.
4th century BC. A D-section bronze hoop supporting a scaphoid plaque with intaglio motif of a sitting gryphon with tail raised to the rear. From an important London collection, acquired in the 1990s. Cf. Oman, C.C. Victoria and Albert Museum Catalogue of Rings, reprinted Ipswich, 1993, items 24, 26. 2.55 grams, 20mm overall, 16.85mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6 1/4, Europe 12.56, Japan 12) (3/4"). Fine condition.
New Kingdom, 1550-1070 BC. A bronze amuletic figurine (nekhau) of a tilapia fish modelled in the round with large dorsal fin; hollow with round-section attachment peg to the underside and remains of a second to the rear. Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. Cf. Andrews, C. Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, plate 69. The tilapia fish was sacred to the goddess Hat-Mehyt who had a cult centre in the north east of the Nile delta at Mendes. The tilapia was a symbol of rebirth and was also believed to accompany and protect the sun god on his daily journey across the sky. 80 grams, 94mm (3 3/4"). Fine condition.
New Kingdom, 1550-1070 BC. A bronze amuletic figurine (nekhau) of a tilapia fish modelled in the round with large dorsal fin, round-section attachment peg to the underside. Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. Cf. Andrews, C. Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, plate 69. The tilapia fish was sacred to the goddess Hat-Mehyt who had a cult centre in the north east of the Nile delta at Mendes. The tilapia was a symbol of rebirth and was also believed to accompany and protect the sun god on his daily journey across the sky. 51 grams, 76mm (3"). Fine condition.
8th-12th century AD. A substantial gilt-bronze buckle set comprising: a square buckle-plate with raised octofoil and superimposed quatrefoil lined with pellets, beaded dome to the centre, pierced lugs to the underside and securing pin; C-shaped loop with raised kidney-shaped inner plaque, flared ribbed fins to the rear, strap to the rear bar with securing rivet; trefoil-section tongue with curved forward end, loop to the underside. From an important private London collection; formed in the 1970s and 1980s. See Bishop, M.C. and Coulston, C.N. Roman Military Equipment, London, 1993. This type of buckle is known as a Crested Closed Loop Dolphin due to the design of two facing, or sometimes, as in this example, opposing dolphins that form the loop. The type became popular in the late third century AD as a military fitting and continued into the Byzantine period. On this example the dolphins have become highly stylised with only the crests visible.The square belt plate with faceted flower motif can be compared with examples from the Danubian cultures of Migration Period peoples. 395 grams total, plate: 54mm (2 1/4"). Fine condition, tongue separate.
New Kingdom, 1550-1070 BC. A bronze amuletic figurine (nekhau) of a tilapia fish modelled in the round with large dorsal fin, round-section attachment peg to the underside. Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. Cf. Andrews, C. Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, plate 69. The tilapia fish was sacred to the goddess Hat-Mehyt who had a cult centre in the north east of the Nile delta at Mendes. The tilapia was a symbol of rebirth and was also believed to accompany and protect the sun god on his daily journey across the sky. 54 grams, 72mm (3"). Fine condition.
9th-12th century AD. A D-section bronze hoop and discoid bezel with panel of radiating gamma-shaped motifs. From a Surrey, UK, collection; formed before 2000. 6.06 grams, 26mm overall, 18.14mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 17.0, Japan 16) (1"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
6th-8th century AD. A D-section bronze hoop with discoid bezel, intaglio image of an advancing robed figure with a staff. Property of a Surrey, UK, gentleman; acquired on the London art market 1990s. 5.88 grams, 24mm overall, 20.96mm internal diameter (approximate size British W 1/2, USA 11 1/4, Europe 25.66, Japan 24) (1"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
5th-8th century AD. A D-section bronze hoop with expanding shoulders, discoid bezel with intaglio motif of a regardant ibex with notched fur texture. From a Surrey collection; formed between 1990-2000. 6.71 grams, 23mm overall, 18.74 x 20.65mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18.75, Japan 18) (1"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Third Intermediate Period, 1069-702 BC. A large pair of bronze-framed alabaster mummy eye appliqués, each with a black pupil. Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. Cf. eye inserts in the wooden coffin of Djedkhonsefankh in Taylor, J.H. Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, London, 2001, item 172. 212 grams total, main frames 13cm (5"). Fair condition.
5th-8th century AD. A D-section bronze hoop with expanding notched shoulders, discoid bezel with intaglio dove and frond motifs. From a Surrey collection; formed between 1990-2000. 6.89 grams, 23mm overall, 20.57mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, USA 10 3/4, Europe 24.40, Japan 23) (1"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
5th-8th century AD. A flat-section bronze hoop supporting a flat elliptical bezel, intaglio bird with cross pommé to its back. Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. 5.76 grams, 23mm overall, 20.80mm internal diameter (approximate size British W, USA 11, Europe 25.0, Japan 24) (1"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
9th-12th century AD. A flat-section bronze hoop with starburst motifs to the shoulders, discoid plaque with incised border and reversed text '+???????'. From an old Hampshire collection; acquired London, 1984. 7.34 grams, 23mm overall, 18.59mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18.4, Japan 17) (1"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
8th-12th century AD. A bronze barrel-shaped weight with two silver-inlaid with alpha and omega to one flat face. Property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. See discussion in Weber, K. Byzantinische Münzgewichte: Materialkorpus für 1-Nomisma-Gewichte, Schwelm, 2009. 171 grams, 35mm (1 1/2"). Very fine condition, cleaned and conserved.
Third Intermediate Period, 1069-702 BC. A pair of bronze-framed alabaster mummy eye appliqués, each with a black pupil. Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. Cf. eye inserts in the wooden coffin of Djedkhonsefankh in Taylor, J.H. Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, London, 2001, item 172. 76 grams total, main frames: 72mm (3"). [2] Fair condition.
10th-13th century AD. A bronze house-shaped pendant with ribbed loop above, Calvary scene in high relief with Corpus Christi and figure of Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist to either side within a raised frame. Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1990s. 16 grams, 46mm (1 3/4"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
10th-12th century AD. A discoid bronze pendant with raised border and integral loop, high-relief facing bust of St. George(?) with lance in his right hand, '??' above the hand. From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. 3.74 grams, 26mm (1"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
11th-12th century AD. A flat-section bronze discoid pendant with pellets to the border, integral loop, low-relief image of Mary with hands raised in the orans posture, infant Jesus below. From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. This pendant depicts Our Lady of the Sign. The Virgin Mary is standing frontally, arms raised in the orans act of prayer and having a medallion at her stomach with the image of Christ Emmanuel. The scene depicts Mary at the moment of the Annunciation when Christ was conceived. The oldest depiction of this image is found in the Mausoleum of St Agnes in Rome and dates to the fourth century AD. Icons of the Virgin, known as The Sign, appeared in Russia during the 11th to 12th centuries. The Novgorod Znamenie icon became highly venerated in the Novgorod Republic because of what Orthodox Christians believe to be the miraculous deliverance of the city from invasion in the year 1170 through the intervention of the Virgin. 5.66 grams, 38mm (1 1/2"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Third Intermediate Period, 1069-702 BC. A pair of bronze-framed alabaster mummy eye appliqués, each with a black pupil. Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. Cf. eye inserts in the wooden coffin of Djedkhonsefankh in Taylor, J.H. Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, London, 2001, item 172. 80 grams total, main frames: 87-88mm (3 1/2"). [2] Fair condition.
19th-20th century AD. A gilt bronze figure of Manjushri wearing loin cloth and jewels across waist and chest and elaborate crown with hair pulled up in a bun, seated in padmasana posture on a lotus flower base, with hands crossed and holding bunches of flowers on long stems that frame the shoulders; details of face and hair painted. From an important London collection, acquired in the 1970s. Manjushri is the embodiement of all the Buddha's wisdom and his name means gentle glory in Sanskrit. He is more commonly shown holding a sword whilst images of him holding two bunches of flowers are rare and refer to him as the future Buddha to come. 15 kg, 46cm (18"). Fine condition.
19th-20th century AD. A gilt bronze figure of a Bodhisattva seated in padmasana posture on a lotus flower base and wearing loin cloth and jewels at belt and across chest, with elaborate crown and hair pulled up into a bun; details of face and hair picked out in paint. Property of a London gentleman; acquired before 1980. 17 kg, 51cm (20"). Fine condition.
19th century AD. A hollow-formed bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha sitting cross-legged on a lotus-flower dais, hands folded in the lap supporting a symbolic conch shell. Property of a London gentleman; acquired before 1980. Amitabha is the Buddha of infinite life, as well as being considered a saviour and the principal figure of the Pure Land sect of Buddhism that is popular in China and Japan. He is depicted wearing ornaments and a crown and holding the ambrosia vase from which spill the jewels of eternal life. 1.4 kg, 21cm (8 1/4"). Fine condition, tip of crown absent.
19th century AD. A hollow-formed gilt bronze figure of Arya Tara sitting with legs folded, holding a flower between the thumb and forefinger of each hand; hollow to the underside with three attachment pegs. Private collection, North London; acquired in the early 1980s. 2 kg, 20.5cm (8"). Fine condition.
6th-2nd century BC. A hollow-formed bronze conical lid with silver inlay to the rim, the body formed as a procession of three dragons with outward-facing heads, inlaid silver detail to the hips, shoulders and tails. From a London, UK, collection; acquired 1970s. 230 grams, 65mm (2 3/4"). Fine condition.
Early 20th century AD. A bronze model pheasant-like mythical bird standing with head thrown back; cloison enamel panels to the tail, wings comb and wattle in shades of blue, red, ochre and green; detachable panel to the back and wings with vent to the upper face; screw fixings to the feet. From an old North Country collection; formed between 1970-2000. 3.2 kg, 60cm (24"). Fine condition.
Han Dynasty, 206 BC-220 AD. A gilt-bronze fastener comprising a piriform domed block with cross-hatched ornament and domed stud to the reverse, hook formed as a goose's head and neck with eye and beak detailing. Private collection, North London; acquired in the early 1980s. 128 grams, 61mm (2 1/2"). Fine condition.
19th-20th century AD. A bronze figurine of the Buddha standing in praying posture standing on a flared base, with triangular flaring garment; the base with lotus-flower detail. Acquired on the London art market prior to 1980. In Thailand statues of the Buddha can be found in a variety of poses, with those standing being particularly popular. The position of the hands relate to various episodes in the life of the Buddha and help the devotee in their mindful practice. 581 grams, 20cm (8"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Neolithic to Early Bronze Age, 2nd-1st millennium BC. A finely knapped, fully bifacial lentoid-section flint lance head of delicate proportions; in a transluscent brown flint. Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1990s. A most finely worked piece, only some 7mm thick at centre, the parallel pressure flaking to the body and delicate retouching to the edges of the highest quality workmanship; possibly Early Bronze Age period. 34 grams, 11.5cm (4 1/2"). [No Reserve] Fine condition, tip absent.
2nd millennium BC. A penannular bracelet formed as two hollow silver coils enclosing a c-section gold fillet. From an important private London collection; formed in the 1970s and 1980s. As the warrior elite began to grow in importance during the Bronze Age, gold was used as a means to demonstrate their power, and these individuals would have had access to, and control of, limited supplies of gold and craftsmen who were able to produce prestige items. These objects would be a means of conveying their political, tribal and religious functions through a display of personal adornment that would hold significant, symbolic meaning to the viewer. A similar gold bracelet to this one was found in the burial mound of an aristocratic individual in 1884, in Segeberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. 44 grams, 70mm (2 3/4"). Fine condition.
Early 2nd millennium BC. A matched pair of arm-rings, each a lentoid-section coiled bronze rod with perpendicular spiral finials. From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. 235 grams total, 10-11cm (4 - 4 1/4"). [2, No Reserve] Very fine condition, some loss of original surface.
Mid 1st millennium BC. A substantial bronze composite brooch formed as two S-coiled rods held in a cruciform arrangement by a central lozengiform plaque and two cross-straps to the reverse; the plaque with pointillé borders and motif of leaves and roundels; to the reverse, a transverse bar with integral coil and pin to one end, catchplate to the other. Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1980s and 1990s. Cf. Hattatt, R. Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, 1987, item 1348; and see Gelling, P. and Ellis Davidson, H. The Chariot of the Sun and Other Rites and Symbols of the Northern Bronze Age, London, 1969. The swirl is a common motif in the Bronze Age and seems to be associated with solar symbolism. It is often found carved onto outcrops of rock on a number of sites across the British Isles as well as decorating the kerb stones at the burial mounds of Newgrange and Knowth in Ireland. Here, the swirls have been formed into a swastika, again a solar symbol representing the beneficent power of the sun. 209 grams, 14cm (5 1/2"). Fine condition.
Mid 1st millennium BC. A bronze composite brooch formed as two S-coiled rods held in a cruciform arrangement by a central lozengiform plaque and a cross-strap to the reverse; the plaque with pointillé saltire; to the reverse, a transverse bar with integral coil and pin to one end, catchplate to the other. Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1980s and 1990s. Cf. Hattatt, R. Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, 1987, item 1348. 117 grams, 10.5cm (4"). Fine condition.
12th-8th century BC. A bronze knife with narrow, scooped, single-edged blade and flanges to the grip; hatching to the broad back of the blade and ribbing to the baluster; pierced in two places for attachment of the scales. Ex North London collection. See Evans, J. The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1881, chapter IX, for discussion. 71 grams, 27cm (10 1/2"). Fine condition, tip bent.
2nd millennium BC. A mixed bronze group comprising: a curved sickle blade with raised border to the rear edge, median rib and boss finial; a flat-axe with curved edge and narrow butt. From a Surrey, UK, collection; formed before 2000. Cf. Périn, P. Musée des Antiquités Nationales - St. Germain en Laye, Paris, 2004, fig.43. 185 grams total, 10.5-19cm (4 - 7 1/2"). [2] Fine condition, sickle edge chipped.
Villanovan Period, 9th-5th century BC. A substantial bronze fibula formed as a rod with two single-turn loops and integral pin curved beneath, U-section tapering catchplate; rows of herringbone notches to the bow. Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1980s and 1990s. Cf. Hattatt, R. Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, 1987, item 1349. 41 grams, 13.5cm (5 1/4"). Very fine condition.
10th-7th century BC. A bronze plaque or pin-head formed as three discs each with central knop and concentric ribs; two loops to the reverse, casting channel and remains of a pin-shank or mounting stud. Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1980s and 1990s. 35 grams, 64mm (2 1/2"). Fine condition, usage wear to edges.
12th-9th century BC. A matched group of hollow-formed bronze belt plaques, each formed as three bulbs connected by a loops to the reverse. Property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. 282 grams total, 45mm (1 3/4"). [30, No Reserve] Fine condition; a few with cracks and casting flaws.
3rd-5th century AD. A bronze and enamelled Kiev culture chain and brooch group consisting of: two fan-tailed fibulae, one with openwork tail and head with enamelled panel, the other with enamelled panel to tail and head; coiled bronze bar through the head of each fibula with attachment rings connected to a tapering rectangular, openwork plate with triangles and pelta patterns with areas of red enamel; two suspension rings attached to a roundel with openwork star motif with red enamel in the centre; chains attached for a horizontal openwork plate, ends with red enamel triangles, centre with elongated triangles with diamond shape in the middle with red enamel discs; further vertical chains from the roundel to an openwork plate with pelta pattern repeating; chains attached to an openwork half moon shape pendant with diamond in the centre, red enamel to the half moon and the points of the diamond; suspension ring attaching a further pendant with pelta design with red enamel fill, three circles of red enamel at each point and three triangular pendants. Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1990s. 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. 448 grams, 58cm high (23"). Fine condition.
2nd-1st century BC. A bronze C-section carinated bracelet with triangular flange finials and median ornament, punched-point saltires to the shank. Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1990s. See Stead, I. The Gauls. Celtic Antiquities from France, London, 1981, items 307, 308 for neck-rings with similar disposition of flanges. 93 grams, 77mm (3"). [No Reserve] Fine condition.
1st century BC-1st century AD. A bronze bowl mount of the foreparts of a boar with bristly mane; behind the tusks, a circular transverse piercing. Property of a Surrey, UK, gentleman; acquired on the London art market 1990s. Cf. Green, M.J. The Gods of Roman Britain, Princes Risborough, 2003, p.8ff. 26 grams, 36mm (1 1/2"). Fine condition.
5th century BC. A matched set of bronze fittings for a parallel-sided cavalry sword scabbard comprising: three bronze sleeves, with median openwork panels of triangles, bands of ring-and-dot ornament, open to the reverse; a similar fitting with two lateral lugs, straight sided plaque with V-shaped voids, upper discoid plaque with central oval hole, all with ring-and-dot ornament. Property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. 149 grams total, 47-107mm (1 3/4 - 4 1/4"). [4] Fine condition.
2nd-1st century BC. A bronze fibula with thick round-section bow, looped spring and tapering pin resting on the integral catchplate; the bow with bulbs and balustered shank. Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1980s and 1990s. Cf. Hattatt, R. Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, 1987, item 730. 8.83 grams, 43mm (1 3/4"). Very fine condition.
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