There are 350105 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribe10th-12th century AD. A bronze figurine of a standing male modelled in the round with loop above the head; conical headgear and oversize shoulders suggesting a helmet and armour. 4.06 grams, 38mm (1 1/2"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. [No Reserve] Fine condition, one leg absent.
11th-13th century AD. A bronze heart-shaped pendant depicting a bird, probably an eagle, with wings and claws extended, integral loop; the style possibly originating in the Baltic or Slavic area. 1.66 grams, 27mm (1"). From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
11th century AD. A bronze discoid pendant with loop, openwork design of a raven with spread wings with pellet detailing. 8 grams, 32mm (1 1/4"). Property of a professional; acquired on the European art market in the 1980s. Cf. Korshun, V.E. Yazicheskiye Priveski Drevniye Rusi X-XIV Vekov, Volume III, Moscow, 2013, item L.3.01. Fine condition, loop repaired.
9th-12th century AD. A miniature bronze mallet with rectangular head, ribbed shaft and loop finial. 4.73 grams, 22mm (1"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. The hammer, Mjölnir, was the magical weapon of the god Thor. The classic representation is short-handled with a pentagonal head. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
10th-12th century AD. A flat-section bronze discoid plaque with integral pierced lug, concentric bands of pellets. 5.03 grams, 33mm (1 1/4"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. For similar see Arbman, H. Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, plate 98, items 21. [No Reserve] Very fine condition.
10th-11th century AD. A flat-section bronze discoid pendant with low-relief image of a bird with wings spread. 5.38 grams, 25mm (1"). Property of a German collector; acquired in the 1990s. Cf. Korshun, V.E. Yazcheskye Priveski Drevnei Rusi X-XIV Vekov, volume III, Moscow, 2013, items L5-9. [No Reserve] Fair condition, loop absent.
12th-13th century AD. A bronze raven-head staff terminal with hooked beak, conical socket with lateral piercings, feather detailing. 17 grams, 36mm (1 1/2"). Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. Cf. Griciuviene, E. Žiemgaliai. The Semigalians, Vilnius, 2005, item 881. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
10th-11th century AD. A bronze heater-shaped chape with openwork panels of Borre Style figural ornament, scooped upper edge with beast-head(?) finial; Petersen's Gniezdovo Type IV (revised"). 28 grams, 67mm (2 1/2"). Property of an American collector; acquired 1980-2000. Cf. Kainov, S.Yu. Nakonecniki Nozhen Mechej iz Gnjezdova, in Acta Militaria MediaevaliaV, Krakow, 2009, plate 10, item 1. Fair condition.
9th-12th century AD. A bronze strap-distributor suite comprising: an annular mount with outer ring and three spokes; three openwork plaques with hook finials. 32 grams total, ring: 30mm (1 1/4"). From an old English collection; acquired on the UK art market before 1970. Cf. MacGregor, A. et al. A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections, Oxford, 1997, item 24.1. [4, No Reserve] Fair condition.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Loading...
