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Lot 1300
12th-14th century AD. A pair of bronze keys comprising: one with ovoid bow, round-section shank, rectangular ward with two bits; one similar with openwork cross design to the ward. 6.22 grams total, 40-44mm (1 1/2 - 1 3/4"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. Cf. Kolchin, B.A. and Makarova, T.I. Drevnyaya Rus', Byt i kultura, Moscow, 1997, plate 7, items 25-32. [2, No Reserve] Fine condition.
Lot 1303
11th-12th century AD. A heater-shaped bronze mount with chamfered sides, beaded border and stylised mask with pellet; remains of two studs to the reverse. 5.19 grams, 19mm (3/4"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. Cf. Murasheva, V.V. Drevnerusskije Remennyje Nabornyje Ukrashenyja (X-XIII VV.), Moscow, 2000, plate 55, item 2A. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Lot 1304
9th-11th century AD. A flat-section bronze mount of a facing wolf mask with large circular eyes; three studs to the reverse. 1.99 grams, 20mm (3/4"). Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. Cf. Arbman, H. Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, plate 91, item group 2. Very fine condition.
Lot 1305
10th-12th century AD. A bronze D-shaped mount with reserved image of two horses opposed with one hoof raised, fighting; three studs to the reverse. 3.52 grams, 27mm (1 1/4"). Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1990s. For similar design see Murasheva, V.V. Drevnerusskije Remennyje Nabornyje Ukrashenyja (X-XIII VV.), Moscow, 2000, plate 66, items 1A-1B. For a discussion of the horse-fight in Icelandic culture, see Gogosz, R. Horse-fights: the Brutal Entertainment of the Icelanders in the Middle Ages in ?redniowiecze Polski i Powszechne 5, Katowice, 2014. [No Reserve] Fine condition, worn.
Lot 1306
10th-12th century AD. A bronze D-shaped mount with reserved image of two horses opposed with one hoof raised, fighting; four studs to the reverse. 3.63 grams, 26mm (1"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. For similar design see Murasheva, V.V. Drevnerusskije Remennyje Nabornyje Ukrashenyja (X-XIII VV.), Moscow, 2000, plate 66, items 1A-1B. For a discussion of the horse-fight in Icelandic culture, see Gogosz, R. Horse-fights: the Brutal Entertainemnt of the Icelanders in the Middle Ages in ?redniowiecze Polski i Powszechne 5, Katowice, 2014. [No Reserve] Fine condition, worn.
Lot 1312
9th-12th century AD. A D-shaped mount in high-tin bronze with the frontage of a hall(?) modelled in high relief, pelleted chain to the necks, annulet between. 5.34 grams, 17mm (3/4"). Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1990s. Cf. Korshun, V. Nekotorye Siuzhety Skandinavskoji Mifologii v Metalloplastike, in Domongol, Almanach Drevnej Kultury i Iskusstva, 1/2010, p.38, plate 2. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Lot 1313
10th-12th century AD. A gilt-bronze square mount with raised coiled serpent with billetted body, pellets to the corners, two rivet holes, one with rivet in situ. 4.36 grams, 21mm (3/4"). From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Lot 1316
10th-13th century AD. A slightly domed discoid gilt-bronze plaque with central boss and concentric foliage and pellet bands; three attachment bars to the reverse. 15 grams, 37mm (1 1/2"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. [No Reserve] Fine condition; small crack beneath central boss.
Lot 1318
10th-12th century AD. A matched set of V-shaped gilt-bronze plaques, each with chamfered edges, two lateral fixing lugs. 57 grams total, 19-21mm (3/4"). Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. [25] Fine condition.
Lot 1319
10th-12th century AD. A flat-section gilt-bronze Scandinavian type disc (also found in the historical Rus region), with central pellet, hexagonal border and twelve bosses, integral loop. 7.05 grams, 35mm (1 1/2"). Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1990s. Cf. Kolchin, B.A. and Makarova, T.I. Drevnyaya Rus', byt i kultura, Moscow, 1997, plate 53, item 9; for similar types see Arbman, H. Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, plate 98, items 19-22. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Lot 1325
12th-14th century AD. A gilt-bronze heater-shaped plaque with beaded border,openwork cross within a pellet border; three pins to the reverse. 5.29 grams, 27mm (1"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. For similar see Murasheva, V.V. Drevnerusskije Remennyje Nabornyje Ukrashenyja (X-XIII vv.), Moscow, 2000, plate 35. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Lot 1328
10th-12th century AD. A mixed group of bronze mounts in varying types including rectangular, heart-shaped, heater-shaped and other forms. 18 grams total, 10-25mm (1/2 - 1"). Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent, 1972. See Murasheva, V.V. Drevnerusskije Remennyje Nabornyje Ukrashenyja (X-XIII VV.), Moscow, 2000, pp. 27-61. [14] Fine condition.
Lot 1329
11th-13th century AD. A mixed group of square bronze belt mounts, each with beaded border and reserved quatrefoil. 25 grams total, 14-20mm (1/2 - 1"). Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. Cf. Kolchin, B.A. and Makarova, T.I. Drevnyaya Rus', Byt i kultura, Moscow, 1997, plate 61, item 54. [7, No Reserve] Fine condition.
Lot 1344
9th-12th century AD. A pair of flat-section axehead pendants comprising: one silver, T-shaped motif in tremello style to each face; one bronze with suspension loop and coiled stud. 6.67 grams total, 23-67mm (1 - 2 3/4"). Property of a professional; acquired on the European art market in the 1980s. [2] Fine condition.
Lot 1423
13th-11th century BC. A bronze waisted cylinder seal with two vertical posts with chevron branches; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Bronze, 23 x 12 mm. The design consists of a pattern. Two rulings mark off the area at top and bottom, and between them are two tree-like items with straight trunks and many upward bending branches, the two tête bêche to each other. The 'trees' are connected to each other by a single diagonal line each side. This is a rare type of cylinder, from Anatolia, Urartu or northern Mesopotamia, c. 1300-1000 B.C. Generally the piece is in good condition. 13 grams, 23mm (1"). Property of a North London collector; acquired in the 1970s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition.
Lot 1432
1500-800 BC. A bronze (?) waisted cylinder seal with linear design; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Metal, 43 x 24 mm/ This seal has concave sides that flare out to sharp edges, and is made of bronze or iron. It bears a linear design which is given twice and tête bêche. The design is linear and is difficult to interpret, but it may be a standing quadruped with long, vertical neck surmounted by a circle with cuts from the circle, and a tree above the back. Alternatively it may be an abstract design with no depictions. This is an extremely rare seal, most probably from the area of Eastern Syria or the southern Caucasus. The date is most likely c. 1500-800 B.C. It is generally in fine condition, but has slight damage and a little corrosion at one end. 93 grams, 43mm (1 3/4"). Private collection, London, UK; formed 1970s-1980s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition, worn.
Lot 1531
4th century BC. A broad bronze dish with radiating repoussé ovoid panels between repoussé palmettes, central boss and ring of pellets; everted rim. 412 grams, 23cm (9"). Private collection, London, UK; formerly with Persepolis Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK; in the 1980s. Cf. Curtiss, J. & Tallis, N. Forgotten Empire. The World of Ancient Persia, London, 2005, item 277. Examples of phiale have come to light at a number of sites in the ancient kingdom of Macedon such as Aegae (notably the rich tomb of the Lady of Aegae) and the cemetery of Archontiko close to the ancient capital of Pella. The presence of such vessels reveals the close political and trading ties with the Persian Empire and the western satrapies. Many of the examples found at Macedonian sites have inscriptions dedicated to the gods and it would seem that they were used in pouring libations at important shrines in the kingdom. Fine condition; small holes to sidewall.
Lot 1533
5th century BC. A bronze bowl with low wall and everted rim, the exterior decorated with repoussé lotus leaves and buds, a raised central omphalos on the interior. 276 grams, 17cm (6 3/4"). Property of an Essex gentleman; acquired in the 1960s. Cf. Sotheby's Antiquities, New York, June 15, 1988, Lot 61. The Achaemenid Empire at its greatest extent included the territories of Mesopotamia, parts of Central Asia and Asia Minor, Thrace and Macedonia, the Black Sea coast, Arabia, the Levant and Egypt. Shallow bowls of this form, used for drinking wine, were made from various materials, including metal, glass, and ceramic. Fine condition, cleaned and conserved; cracked.
Lot 1535
13th-7th century BC. A bronze cylindrical vessel with flared and returned rim; round-section handle with ends coiled about the flank, supported by pelta-shaped lateral mounts with bird-head finials, punched-point feather detailing to the breast. 472 grams, 18.5cm (7 1/4"). Property of a North West London gentleman; formerly with a central London gallery in 1990. See P. Moorey Ancient Bronzes from Luristan, Los Angeles, 1981, p. 37, for discussion. Very fine condition, minor crack to rim.
Lot 1539
2nd millennium BC. A convex bronze domed head with long gaping jaws, prominent fangs, hatched piriform eyes, triangular ears, large crest arising from the forehead with ribbed collars and a serpent's head; within the mouth, a separately formed tongue attached at the rear; the crest pierced with a bronze rod, the throat with circular hole. 365 grams, 13cm (5"). Property of a North West London gentleman; formerly with a central London gallery in 1990. Fine condition.
Lot 1541
2nd millennium BC. A matched pair of hollow-cast bronze penannular bracelets with rattles, each with D-shaped flat finials and zigzag to the outer edges, bands of transverse and chevron ribbing with raised bosses. 3.3 kg total, 17cm each (6 1/2 each"). Private collection, London, UK; formed 1970s-1980s. [2] Very fine condition.
Lot 1559
13th-6th century BC. A bronze lion figurine with open jaws and extended tongue, crouching with forepaws extended; slot to the underside, socket between forepaws, ferrous accretion to the rear; possibly a dagger hilt fitting. 68 grams, 50mm (2"). Private collection, London, UK; formerly with Persepolis Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK; in the 1980s. Cf. Legrain, L. Luristan Bronzes in the University Museum, Pennsylvania, 1934, plate XI, item 43. Very fine condition.
Lot 1570
Late 3rd-early 2nd millennium BC. A bronze axehead with scooped mouths above and below the socket, one curved T-shaped blade and one comma-shaped to the rear; band of D-shaped lobes to the upper mouth, high-relief eye and hole to accept a stud. 388 grams, 19.5cm (7 3/4"). Ex Christies Antiquities sale, 25 October 2012, Lot 5; from an important North London collection. For a similar piece see Christies, 2 April 2014, lot 25. Fine condition. Rare.
Lot 1572
13th-6th century BC. A bronze comb-backed axehead with ribbed tubular socket, curved blade issuing from the mouth of a lion, four griffin-heads to the rear. 370 grams, 22cm (8 1/2"). From an important North London collection formed before 1980. CF. Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, item 99. Fine condition. Rare.
Lot 1573
13th-6th century BC. A bronze tube with flared ends, advancing lion modelled in the round to the reverse, lion-mask stem and inset iron curved blade. 267 grams, 12.5cm (5"). Private collection, London, UK; formerly with Persepolis Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK; in the 1980s. Cf. Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, fig.96, 97. Fair condition.
Lot 1576
2nd millennium BC. A miniature bronze axehead comprising a tubular socket with four moulded ribs projecting to the rear to form conical spikes; thin blade with reinforced edges, swept profile. 330 grams, 18cm (7"). From the collection of a North West London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Cf. Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, fig.98. Fine condition.
Lot 1578
14th-11th century BC. A bronze dress pin with round-section shaft; the head a flared ribbed column with bifacial bearded male figure in a flounced robe, left hand placed on the abdomen. 35 grams, 22cm (8 3/4"). From an important North London collection formed before 1980. Fine condition; tip absent.
Lot 1579
13th-6th century BC. A bronze spoon with deep piriform bowl, round-section shank, horse-head finial with annular eyes, bridle and reins. 104 grams, 25cm (9 3/4"). Property of a Wiltshire, UK gentleman; acquired TimeLine Auctions sale 4-5 October 2012, lot 1498; formerly with UK private collection. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Lot 1580
13th-6th century BC. A bronze openwork bridle plaque comprising: a ring supported on each side by a profile horse; an ibex head above with ribbed horns curving to meet the brow of each horse; two grotesque masks on ribbed shafts within the arc of the horns; loop to the reverse. 221 grams, 12cm (4 3/4"). From an important North London collection formed before 1980. Cf. similar combination of ring, masks and profile supporters in Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, item 18. Fine condition.
Lot 1581
13th-6th century BC. A bronze horse-bit suite comprising: a square-section bar with ends scrolled in opposite directions; two lateral plaques, each a flat-section rectangle with triangular voids, six spikes to the inner face, mouflon-head finial, central void to accept the bar. 230 grams, 18.5cm (7 1/4"). Property of a North West London gentleman; formerly with a central London gallery in 1990. Cf. Moorey, P.R.S. Ancient Bronzes From Luristan, London, 1974, plate VI, item A. Fine condition.
Lot 1582
12th-10th century BC. A bronze bit and flanking plaques comprising: round-section bit with flattened and scrolled ends; two plaques, each depicting the 'Mistress of Animals' standing in long fringed robe and horned tiara on a rectangular base, flanked by attacking winged gryphons, three loops to the reverse. 1 kg, bit: 25cm (9 3/4"). Property of a North London collector; ex Christies, 2 April 2014, Lot 32. Cf. Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, item 16; Moorey, P.R.S. The Art of Ancient Iran, in Ancient Bronzes, Ceramics and Seals, Los Angeles, 1981, item 43. Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate. The image of a deity holding two animals is an ancient one and is found in many cultures and can depict either a male or female divinity. That of the female is known as Potnia Theron, or Lady of the Animals a term first used by Homer in the Illiad. In the Mesopotamian world the forces of chaos are often represented by animals and the gods are seen as the restraining force to these unpredictable powers that could harm the human world. The presence of horns on figures marks them out as being divine and are often found being worn by kings who saw themselves as close to the gods. Fine condition. Rare.
Lot 1584
13th-7th century BC. A bronze openwork bifacial finial comprising a tubular socket, two feline hindlegs, flared skirt and belt, two feline heads flanking a male mask. 203 grams, 10cm (4"). Property of a North West London gentleman; formerly with a central London gallery in 1990. Cf. Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, fig.63. Luristan is the mountainous area in western Iran bordered by Iraq on the west and the Susa plain on the south. The Luristan culture produced a distinct range of bronze objects during the first millennium BC with highly stylized human and animal representations. The Master of Animals is an ancient deity that is found in a number of cultures, most notably in the ancient Near East and the archaic Greek cultures; he has a female counterpart in Greece known as Potnia Theron, Mistress of the Animals. The imagery invokes the control of nature and chaotic forces and finials such as this would have topped staffs used in religious rituals. Fine condition.
Lot 1585
13th-7th century BC. A bifacial bronze sceptre finial formed as a tube with three facing masks, two lateral opposed beasts. 258 grams, 21.5cm (8 1/2"). Private collection, London, UK; formerly with Persepolis Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK; in the 1980s. Cf. Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, item 19. Very fine condition.
Lot 1586
13th-7th century BC. A bifacial bronze sceptre finial formed as a tube with three facing masks, two lateral opposed beasts; loops and flared mouth to the lower end. 218 grams, 23cm (9"). From an important private London collection; formed in the 1970s and 1980s. Cf. Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, item 19. Very fine condition.
Lot 1587
13th-7th century BC. A bifacial bronze sceptre finial formed as a waisted tube with flared collars, and another with three facing masks, two lateral opposed beasts; mounted on a custom-made stand. 566 grams, 43cm including stand (17"). Private collection, acquired by descent 1970s. Cf. Legrain, L. Luristan Bronzes in the University Museum, Pennsylvania, 1934, item 2. Very fine condition.
Lot 1588
13th-6th century BC. A bronze tubular element from a sceptre with ribbed collars, human masks, inverted human masks, lateral birds and goats(?"). 131 grams, 15cm (6"). Private collection, London, UK; formerly with Persepolis Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK; in the 1980s. Cf. Legrain, L. Luristan Bronzes in the University Museum, Pennsylvania, 1934, plates 1, II. Fine condition.
Lot 1593
13th-7th century BC. A whetstone comprising a square-section granite bar with rounded ends, a bronze socket with wire suspension loop and stylised ram's foreparts with two large looped horns. 195 grams, 25.5cm (10"). Property of a London gentleman; aquired in the late 1970s and 1980s. Fine condition.
Lot 1595
13th-6th century BC. A hollow-cast bronze tapering socket with folded leg detail to the underside, short curved neck, triangular head with pellet eyes, triangular beard and recurved horns attached to the neck; socket pierced for attachment. 130 grams, 97mm (4"). Private collection, London, UK; formerly with Persepolis Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK; in the 1980s. Cf. Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, figs. 93, 94. Fine condition.
Lot 166
2nd century AD. A bronze statuette of the goddess Isis-Aphrodite standing nude in the classic pose of the Capitoline Venus with left hand over her genitals and right hand raised to her chest; the head slightly turned to the left, centre-parted hair tied in a chignon; armlets to the upper arms; a hole behind the diadem to accept a separate Egyptian crown of Isis; mounted on a marble pedestal stand. 876 grams, 25cm (9 3/4"). From the private collection of Louis de Clercq (1826-1901); thence by descent. Cf. B.S. Ridgway, Hellenistic Sculpture I, 1990, p. 355-356, Taf. 181 - B. Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate. Isis-Aphrodite is a form of the great goddess Isis that emphasises the iconographic and fertility aspects associated with Aphrodite (Venus in the Roman pantheon"). Herodotus identified Isis with Demeter, but in the early Hellenistic period, she was identified with Aphrodite. The worship of Isis reached Rome early in the first century BC, and was a mystery religion requiring initiation. By the early first century AD, the cult was flourishing throughout the empire. (Adkins, L. and Adkins R.A. Dictionary of Roman Religion.) In Egyptian religion, Isis was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the patroness of nature and magic. She was known as protector of the dead and goddess of children, often depicted with her son Horus. Venus was an important goddess associated with beauty, desire, fertility and prosperity, known in Roman religion under numerous cult titles. However, the goddess Venus, like many of the other Roman deities, was identified with her Greek counterpart Aphrodite and adopted most of her mythology and iconography. She was also a divine ancestor of the Roman people through her son Aeneas, who fled from Troy to Italy. This syncretic goddess is a beautiful example of exchange between Graeco-Roman and Egyptian cultures, resulting in connection of two most important goddesses of fertility and maternity in one universally recognisable figure. Very fine condition; Isis crown absent.
Lot 167
1st century BC-1st century AD. A bronze statuette of Caesar Augustus as Pater Familias standing with the rear fold of his toga over his head and umbo tucked into the waist, handle of an implement in his left hand; mounted on a custom-made stand. 845 grams, 18.5cm including stand (7 1/4"). From the Rizzi family collection; acquired in the 1970s. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate. See Zanker, P. The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus, Michigan, 1990; and Price, S R.F. Rituals of Power: The Roman Imperial Cult in Asia Minor, Cambridge, 1984. Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate. The rear fold of the toga was customarily pulled up over the head when individuals performed a sacrifice and it was the duty of the male head of every family to perform a sacrifice to the gods and ancestors on a daily basis. The Pater Familias was an ancient spirit that represented the power of the male head of each family and is shown in the company of the Lares (household gods) and other deities in the Laraium, or household shrine. When Augustus became sole ruler of the Empire after the civil wars that saw the defeat of Anthony and Cleopatra, he actively promoted the Imperial Cult as a means of unifying the various provinces and diverse peoples. One such way was through statues that portrayed both his power and his piety, and he used the image of the Pater Familas as a means of representing himself as the head of the Empire and of each individual family within it. In 2 BC the Senate and People of Rome conferred the title of Pater Patriae, or Father of the Country on Augustus and it was the image of the Emperor sacrificing for the benefit of its people that was commonly housed as the main object of worship. By depicting himself in this way, Augustus set a precedent for future Emperors, members of the Imperial family, aristocrats and dignitaries of provincial cities to be seen as pious upholders of the Pax Romana or Peace of Rome. Fine condition, one hand absent.
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349674 item(s)/page