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Lot 1732
12th-14th century AD. A mixed group of gilt-bronze and bronze mounts comprising: a strap end with bovine face, ball and shank extension; an appliqué with beaded mask; a lion-head appliqué; an ovoid mask appliqué; a lion mask with hatched openwork plaque; a pendant mask with stud to the reverse. 25 grams total, 16-65mm (3/4 - 2 3/4"). Property of a German gentleman; acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. Fine condition. [6, No Reserve]
Lot 932
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze brooch in the shape of a fish with hatching to the body to represent scales, borders filled with red enamel; part of pin and catch plate to the reverse. 3.95 grams, 45mm (1 3/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; acquired at auction in 2008. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Lot 1485
3rd century BC. A dagger and sheath with suspension fittings; the bronze sheath with decorated bands, raised panels with repoussé and punched-point detailing, discoid chape with central knop, lateral loops with attached sliding rings attached to D-shaped strap ends; the iron blade within the sheath, iron tang extending from a tiered lower guard to the rectangular pommel with three poppy-head finials; possibly Villanovan workmanship. 312 grams, 31.5cm (12 1/2"). From an important English collection; acquired in the 1990s. Cf. Capwell, Dr. T. Knives, Daggers and Bayonets, London, 2009, p.21. The pugio was a dagger used by Roman soldiers as a sidearm. It seems likely that the pugio was intended as an auxiliary weapon for the soldiers but officials of the empire also took to wearing ornate daggers in the performance of their offices, and some would wear concealed daggers as a defence against contingencies. The dagger was a common weapon of assassination and suicide; for example, the conspirators who stabbed Julius Caesar used pugiones. References to the pugio are common in the literature of the Empire, especially in Tacitus and Suetonius. Tacitus reports that Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo had a soldier executed for not wearing a sword while digging a trench and another for wearing only a pugio in the same activity. This does not mean however, that the pugio was carried universally and a study of 1st century AD figural tombstones reveals that there were certainly soldiers who did not carry the pugio. It is not known whether it was simply an optional weapon or if it was issued only to soldiers with certain duties and not to soldiers who were not seen to need it. The evidence of a preserved 1st century AD writing tablet also reveals that some cavalrymen carried the pugio. Fine condition.
Lot 1365
Ordos, 6th-2nd century AD. A gilt bronze domed weight, top in the shape of a reclining lion with undulating hill design to the sides. 290 grams, 60mm (2 1/4"). Property of an Essex collector; acquired Bonhams, San Francisco, USA; 10 March 2015, sale 22378, lot 8247 (part). Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Lot 887
1st-3rd century AD. A bronze heart-shaped escutcheon with the bust of a youthful male wearing a tunic and hair tied into a bun at the front and locks falling onto shoulders, possibly Eros; remains of attachment loop at back of head. 95 grams, 60mm (2 1/4"). From an old Hampshire collection; acquired London art market, 1980s. Fine condition.
Lot 975
1st-4th century AD. A bronze harness buckle with D-shaped frame, cross bar and spear-shaped prong. 17.29 grams, 45mm (1 3/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; previously in the Brian Riley collection, Yorkshire, UK, 2007; previously from the Hattatt collection, assession number 1679. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Lot 523
5th-7th century AD. A gilt bronze shield mount with chip carved decoration depicting an interlaced animal, within an iron matrix. 7 grams, 35mm (1 3/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; previously in a private East Anglian collection, UK; 2009; found East Anglia, UK. Very fine condition. [No Reserve]
Lot 1681
14th-15th century AD. A bronze heater shield heraldic mount with red enamel to the edges, three blue enamel diagonal lines; pierced in the corners for attachment. 11.55 grams, 41.57mm (1 1/2"). Property of a gentleman; found Warwick, Warwickshire, UK, 1992. See Hammond, Brett M., Benet's Medieval Artefacts of England & the United Kingdom, Essex, 2015, no.HM-20281 for similar form. Fine condition.
Lot 497
5th-7th century AD. A bronze cruciform plate brooch with central glass discoid plaque and four D-shaped iridescent reset cloisons, hinged pin and catch to the reverse. 4.81 grams, 31mm (1 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired before 1990. Cf. Beck, H. et al. Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, fig.166(9"). for type. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Lot 1335
17th-18th century AD. A gilt bronze figure of Arya Tara seated on a lotus flower with right leg slightly extended; left hand held up in blessing and holding a lotus flower, right hand held down and holding a lotus flower; armlets, bracelets, strings of necklaces and five pointed crown decorating the body; hair pulled up into bun with lotus flower to the top. 3.53 kg, 32cm (12 1/2"). From an important London collection, acquired in the 1990s. Very fine condition.
Lot 311
Mid 3rd-mid 2nd millennium BC. An open-ended gold ribbon armband formed by neatly folding a flat ribbon repeatedly in opposing triangular segments. 2.54 grams, 80mm diameter when closed (3"). Very fine condition. From an old private collection, acquired in the 1980s. See Taylor, J., Bronze Age Goldwork of the British Isles, plate 44 for similarly formed torcs. Metallurgy and the goldsmith's art appeared together in Europe during the Copper and Bronze Ages, and both of these achievements soon began to play an important contributing role in the development of increasingly more hierarchical societies in which objects made of metal, such as weapons and items of personal adornment, were used as symbols of power. Gold is found throughout Europe and in the Bronze Age must have been available in some quantity; the most prolific sources are those in Ireland, Spain and Transylvania. Jewellery at the time of the Bronze Age provides valuable information about regional tastes and social status, and the exceptional quality clearly shows the symbolic power invested in this metal.
Lot 528
9th-11th century AD. A mixed bronze group comprising: a square plaque with separate ropework cells and central rivet; an escutcheon with opposed snake-heads; a strap end with beast-head finial, Trewhiddle Style beast motif; a D-section beast-head stirrup mount; a plaque fragment with high-relief Borre Style beast ornament. 37 grams total, 23-31mm (1 - 1 1/4"). From an old Hampshire collection; acquired London, 1980s. Mainly fine condition. [5, No Reserve]
Lot 946
2nd century AD. A bronze lozengiform plate brooch with knop finials above and below, central cruciform bar; pin-lugs, hinged pin and catchplate to the reverse. 4.14 grams, 34mm (1 1/4"). English private collection; acquired in the 1970s. Cf. Hattatt, R. Brooches of Antiquity, item 1100. Extremely fine condition.
Lot 1828
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. 2.01 grams, 26mm (1"). From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. 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 Frey 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 Frey 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 Frey and Freya, and may had been used as a votive offering or worn as an amulet to invoke the fertile powers of those gods. Fine condition. Extremely rare. [No Reserve]
Lot 977
1st-3rd century AD. A bronze harness buckle with D-shaped frame with prong; square belt plate with raised boss and punched decoration in the shape of a flower. 19.52 grams, 55mm (2 1/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; previously in the Brian Riley collection, Yorkshire, UK; 2007. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Lot 1364
19th century AD or later. 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. 2 kg, 20.5cm (8"). Private collection, North London; acquired in the early 1980s. Fine condition.
Lot 1778
8th century AD. A gilt-bronze hollow-formed drum-shaped brooch with central roundel; the outer sidewall with lattice hatching; the upper face with beaded border and tribrach, three S-shaped animals in Salin's Style III; catchplate to the reverse. 18 grams, 42mm (1 3/4"). Property of a 19th century collector; thence by descent. Cf. MacGregor, A. et al. A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections (Roman Iron Age, Migration Period, Early Medieval), Oxford, 1997, item 1.1; Rydh, H. Dosformiga Spännen från Vikingatiden, Stockholm, 1919. Drum brooches (also called ‘box brooches’, Swedish Dosspännen"). were a Scandinavian fashion of the Viking period, beginning in the late 8th century AD and mainly featuring Oseberg style gripping-beast motifs. They remained popular throughout the period into the 11th century AD. They are especially associated with the island of Gotland, the crossroads of trade and traffic in the Baltic where a variety of cultural influences were felt. Occasional examples occur elsewhere in the area of Scandinavian power, plausibly associated with the movement of brides from Gotland to foreign homelands. The earliest (8th century"). examples are high-quality multi-part castings with lavish use of gold, parcel-gilding and silver; by the later Viking age they appear in bronze and gilt-bronze. The original artistic motifs also evolve into more geometric forms with increased use of knotwork. As a type, these brooches are characterised by their discoid upper face divided into symmetrical sectors, often with openwork detail; cords and faux-ropework to the edges are a consistent feature of the later designs; some feature a separate cast upper plate while on others it is the baseplate which is separate, occasionally the central knop is also a separate casting. It has been suggested that drum brooches were used to hold small valuables, although this seems improbable – these were normally suspended from the girdle or necklace for display. They were most probably used to fasten the triangular shawl or mantle which covered the upper body, in the dress fashion which included the heavy hängerok dress which was worn outside the undershift; the hängerok was often of rich fabric with embroidered borders, and the metal jewellery and glass beads were used to add richness to the costume. It may be this type of brooch (or the tortoise form"). which was referred to by the Arab traveller Ibn Fadlan when he mentioned that Rus women wore on their chests drum-shaped brooches of iron, copper, silver or gold, whose decoration indicated the wealth of their husbands. The present example with Salin's Style III ornament is among the very earliest known, dating from the 8th century before the onset of the Viking period. It does not feature the customary separate baseplate. Good very fine condition. Extremely rare.
Lot 1334
19th century AD or later. 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. 1.4 kg, 21cm (8 1/4"). 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. Fine condition, tip of crown absent.
Lot 1899
8th-12th century AD. A pair of bronze stirrup ends comprising of one in the form of a dragon with long body and arching neck with fin to the rear, head looking back over body with mouth open; another in the form of a dragon head with short neck and head with horns, crest, eyebrow ridges and open mouth. 38 grams total, 45-48mm (1 3/4 - 2"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; previously in the Brian Riley collection, Yorkshire, UK, 2007. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Lot 1336
18th century AD or later. A gilt bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara standing on a lotus flower supported on a square base with lions to the sides; right hand held up in blessing and with open lotus flower to the side; hair pulled up into a bun; large halo behind decorated with scrolling flower motif. 3.13 kg, 40cm (15 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired before 1995. Fine condition.
Lot 1032
2nd-4th century AD. A bronze key with an iron shank and wards, modelled as a lion couchant emerging from a calyx, ribbed collar below. 74 grams, 89mm (3 1/2"). Property of a European gentleman living in the UK; formerly in a private collection formed in the 1990s. Cf. Pall, M. Schlüssel und Schlösser, Graz, 2012, item 5658. Fine condition.
Lot 925
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze brooch in the shape of a flying bird with elongated body, outspread wings and fan tail, decorated with incised lines and ring-and-dot pattern; pin hinge and catchplate to the reverse. 6.18 grams, 40mm (1 3/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire lady; acquired at auction in 2008. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Lot 1170
Published 1982, 1983(2), 1995 and 1997 AD. Group comprising: Frel, The Getty Bronze, Getty Museum, 1982; Rivet, Tabula Imperii Romanii, Condate-Gel; vum-Londinium-Lutetia, British Academy, 1983; Henig, A Handbook of Roman Art, Phaidon, 1983; Bland and Johns, The Hoxne Treasure, British Museum, 1995 and Laing, Art and Society in Roman Britain, Sutton, 1997. 2.03 kg total, largest 25 x 18cm (10 x 7"). Property of a Hertfordshire, UK collector. Fine condition. [5, No Reserve]
Lot 1700
12th-14th century AD. A mixed group of gilt-bronze mounts comprising: a quatrefoil pendant with radiating ivy leaves, ribbed shank; a discoid stud with reserved fleur-de-lys; a piriform stud with beaded cross. 12 grams total, 15-27mm (1/2 - 1"). Property of a Middlesex gentleman; acquired in the 1980s, two with dealers identification cards, numbers A7-145 and A7-176. Fine condition. [3, No Reserve]
Lot 1009
Later 1st century AD. A bronze hairpin with tapering round-section body, ribbed cuff, model right hand with slender fingers grasping a sphere between thumb and forefinger. 8.69 grams, 12cm (4 3/4"). From a private German collection, acquired prior to 2000. Cf. Cool, H.E.M. Roman Metal Hair Pins from Southern Britain In Archaeological Journal, vol.147, 1990, p.157, plate 5, item 2. The object grasped by the hand is variously interpreted as an apple, nut, egg, berry or pearl. Very fine condition.
Lot 1195
9th-12th century AD. A sheet-bronze model tower oil lamp base, square in plan with bands of repoussé roundels to the base, rectangular windows below an arcade with roundels; mounted on a custom-made stand. 288 grams, 12cm including stand (4 3/4"). Ex German collection; acquired 1980s. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate. Fine condition, upper edge chipped. Very rare.
Lot 981
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze discoid mount with gusseted border, three rectangular slotted lugs, central openwork motif of three phalloi and central boss. 80 grams, 89mm (3 1/2"). From an old Hampshire collection; found near Colchester, Essex, UK, in the late 1970s. Cf. Allason-Jones, L. & Miket, R. The Catalogue of Small Finds from South Shields Roman Fort, Newcastle, 1984, item 3.666 for type. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Lot 1532
10th century BC. A large Bronze Age dagger with lozenge-section narrow blade, flat-section guard, grip pierced with flanged edges to accept an organic insert. 260 grams, 35cm (13 3/4"). 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.381, Cat.13. Fine, uncleaned 'as found' condition.
Lot 1502
2nd millennium BC. A bronze dagger with leaf-shaped blade and incised fullers, round-section hilt with scooped guard. 195 grams, 26cm (10 1/4"). UK art market, acquired prior to 2000; ex Cologne collection. Cf. Legrain, L. Luristan Bronzes in the University Museum, Pennsylvania, 1934, item 41. Fine condition.
Lot 1683
14th century AD. A gilt-bronze slightly domed discoid mount with dentilled edge, facing lion mask with four holes and pierced muzzle; four pins to the reverse. 28 grams, 46mm (1 3/4"). From an old Munich collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Lot 3543
19th century AD. After Dassier, lead-alloy cast. Obv: three quarter bust with bonnet and mantle and HENRICUS VIII D G ANG FR ET HIB REX legend followed by small ID designer initials. Rev: a monument with a relief of Hercules demolishing an altar, with papal tiara and keys lying thereon and a fire behind, with Hymen lamenting before, holding a burning torch, with five others extinguished around her and NAT 1491 COR 24 IUN / 1509 MORT 28 IAN / 1547 legend in three lines in exergue. 31.71 grams, 41mm. See MI p.52; no.54. The reverse of the medal shows six torches, five of which are extinguished, to symbolise the six wives of Henry VIII and the one marriage surviving the death of Henry; the breaking of the altar and Papal symbols represent the break with the Church of Rome and the fire behind the altar symbolises the flames to which Henry consigned those who did not acknowledge his supremacy; the originals of this medal are recorded in silver and bronze. Very fine. [No Reserve]
Lot 1531
13th-6th century BC. A bronze flange-hilted dagger with slender leaf-shaped two-edged blade, hollow waisted grip with socket to each face to accept an insert. 141 grams, 35.5cm (14"). Private collection, London, UK; formerly with Persepolis Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK; in the 1980s. Cf. Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, type II. Fine condition.
Lot 1938
10th-11th century AD. A bronze pendant comprising a rectangular panel with ribbed and zigzag bars, two suspension loops, string of chains to one long and one short edge each with a duck-foot finial; Baltic workmanship. 94 grams, 13cm (5"). 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. [No Reserve]
Lot 1345
Han Dynasty, 206 BC-220 AD. A bronze lidded jar or lei with slightly flared base, squat body, waisted neck, discoid lid with four ring, staples to the shoulders to accept two lifting rings with links; bands of reserved lion figures, spiral disc, facing masks; inscription to the shoulder and lid. 2.4 kg, 20cm (8"). Private collection, North London; acquired in the early 1990s. See Song, L. Chinese Bronze Ware, Cambridge, 2011, p.46 for type. Very fine condition.
Lot 1935
8th-12th century AD. A group of three bronze pendants consisting of one decorated with a series of coils in the shape of a triangle with four suspension loops below with short chains attached and bells; two smaller pendants with filigree and wire decoration in triangular shape with bells hanging from suspension rings. 102 grams total, 55-95mm (2 1/4 - 3 3/4"). Property of a professional gentleman, acquired 2011; formerly in a Russian private collection formed before 1950. Fine condition. [3, No Reserve]
Lot 1522
2nd millennium BC. A large tubular bronze cudgel with bands of raised ribs to the shaft, flared handle. 469 grams, 24cm (9 1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired before 1995; ex Cologne collection. Cf. Legrain, L. Luristan Bronzes in the University Museum, Pennsylvania, 1934, item 48. Fine condition.
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389650 item(s)/page