6th-7th century AD. An iron sousser long-sword in its scabbard (wooden and silver traces visible to the blade's surface); the blade slender and long (87cm tip to grip), two-edged and parallel-sided, lentoid in section with small rounded tip; two sheet-silver rectangular sleeves at the mouth and mid-point, each with rolled edges and a separate P-shaped lateral panel with suspension fitting for attachment to the sword belt (goti) and raised 'feather' pattern to the outer face; gusseted lower guard with rolled edges; tubular grip in two sections with similar feather pattern, one scooped edge with finger-grip recess; chevron pommel with attached upper panel. Cf. Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, item 65. 951 grams, 101cm (39 3/4"). From the collection of a North London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Accompanied by a positive metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford. The use of feather pattern panels is associated by Khorasani (citing Overlaet and others) with the 6th-7th century. Fine condition, some restoration. Rare.
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18th century AD. A gold finger ring comprising a flat-section hoop and ellipsoid bezel with intaglio eagle in flight carrying a nut above a twisted bar; reinforcing panel to the interior where the hoop has been weakened. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 807 for type. 10.26 grams, 20.97mm overall, 16.88mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12) (3/4"). Property of a North London gentleman; acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Fine condition.
15th-16th century AD. A gold ring comprising a round-section hoop with large granule to each shoulder, pie-dish bezel with earlier inset banded agate cabochon, enigmatic inscription to the rim ''*M?'??M?M?N'. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 570. 6.11 grams, 28mm overall, 18.70mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18.75, Japan 18) (1"). Property of a Richmond gentleman; part of his family collection formed before 1980; thence by descent. Very fine condition. A large wearable size.
3rd century AD. A matched pair of gold earrings, each a double twisted loop and discoid shield with applied filigree and granule face, cluster of hollow spheres with drum-shaped shank, strands of granule detailing. Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L. Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 32 for type. 9.50 grams total, 52mm (2"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. [2] Fine condition.
10th-7th century BC. A bronze helmet of sub-conical form with repoussé rib to the forward face ending in a beast-head and flanked by two repoussé arched serpents; three repoussé horizontal bands above the rim, two small lateral holes (for attachment of a liner?); mounted on a custom-made stand. See Christie's, New York 5th June 2014, Lot 55 for similar. 2.3 kg, 48cm including stand (19"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly from an important London, W1, collection; previously acquired on the UK art market, 1960-1980s. Accompanied by a positive metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A bronze sceptre finial formed as a bronze tube with iron core and ox-head detailing; band of four curved hooks to the rear flanked by beading, plain crescent panels flanking transverse ribbed panel, beaded collar, narrow waisted muzzle, flange ears with pellets, socket eyes, opposed crescent horns. Cf. Portable Antiquities Scheme report number NCL-51AB07. Cf. Portable Antiquities Scheme annual report of 2006, p.40-41. 58 grams, 50mm (2"). Found near Hutton-Sessay, North Yorkshire, UK, 2006; accompanied by a copy of a Portable Antiquities Scheme report number NCL-51AB07 which includes four museum drawings of the object, a letter discussing the object from Sally Worrell of the British Museum, and a copy of the relevant pages from the PAS Annual Report 2006. The exact purpose of the item is uncertain but parallels have been drawn with a possible knife-handle from Birdlip, Gloucestershire, of Iron Age date. The prominent hooks to the rear of the piece exclude its use as a handle, and the ornate character of the casting suggests an object of some importance with considerable display value. The terminal of a sceptre or similar item denoting rank and authority is a reasonable inference, as noted in the PAS Annual Report for 2006 where this item was published. Fine condition. Excessively rare.
11th-13th century AD. A gold finger ring comprising a cusped D-section hoop with running zigzag pattern, scooped shoulders with incised rectilinear inscription, rectangular plaque with similar inscription to both long lateral faces, incised Pahlavi(?) text to the upper face. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 525 for type. 8.19 grams, 24mm overall, 18.57mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17) (1"). From the collection of a North London lady; acquired in the 1980s. Very fine condition. Rare.
Late Period, 664-332 BC. A bronze statuette of Isis in sitting position wearing a tight-fitting robe with banded collar, feet resting on a square block, right hand on the thigh, left arm supporting a fly-whisk, Hathor crown of sun-disc and feathers to the head; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Harvard Art Museums, accession number 1960.464 for similar. 497 grams, 17.5cm (7"). Property of a South African lady; formerly in the private collection of Dr. Frederick Lorch, Swiss geologist and author on Egyptian antiquities, and managing director of S.A. Minerals Corporation; acquired from the early 1960s to the early 1980s; thence by descent to the current owner. The figure is atypical of Late Period depictions of the goddess in that it does not depict Horus seated on her lap feeding from her. This 'Mother Goddess' aspect of her cult was emphasised when it spread from Egypt around the eastern Mediterranean and ultimately to Rome. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
6th-5th century BC. A shallow sheet silver bowl with central discoid omphalos, three tiers of intersecting raised lotus petals, chamfered rim. Cf. Mahboubian, Art of Ancient Iran: Copper and Bronze, London, 1997, no.321, p.246; also the type is found in Greek phialai such as the example from Asia Minor, now in Berlin, cf. Strong, D. E., Greek and Roman Silver Plate, New York, 1966, pl.9A. 765 grams, 28cm (11"). Property of a North London lady; gifted from her father's collection; formerly with Bonhams, London, 15 October 2008, lot 165; previously with a Mayfair gallery, London, UK; previously in a late 1970s-early 1980s collection; accompanied by a copy of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. Accompanied by a positive metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
5th century AD. A large elaborate bronze openwork equal-arm brooch of Type Nesse 2, comprising two panels of chip-carved Late Roman Military Style scrolled-tendril ornament with scooped outer ends, arcaded long outer edges and three prominent loops with beast-heads lugs; inner edges joined by arched bands with beast-head lugs to the void; deep bow with opposed beast-heads and prominent median raised bar; traces of mineralised woven fabric to both faces; two pierced pin-lugs to the reverse. See Bruns, D. Germanic Equal-Arm Brooches of the Migration Period, BAR International Series 1113, Oxford, 2003, item 33 (Collingbourne Ducis"). Reported to Portable Antiquities Scheme; reference forthcoming. 89 grams, 12cm (4 3/4"). Found near Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK, 2014. This brooch is a close match for the one found in Grave 6 at Collingbourne Ducis, Wiltshire; it is the only known example of similar complexity to that find. It belongs to Type Nesse 2; the Nesse 1 type is found primarily in the Elbe-Weser region of northern Germany (Bruns p.27), which is the supposed homeland of the Saxons; the Nesse 2 type, derived from Nesse 1, is not numerous (even compared to the other comparatively rare types of equal-arm brooch) with three examples known from England (Collingbourne Ducis, Westgarth Gardens, Abingdon) and one from Oberhausen (Germany"). The fact that the English Type Nesse finds are more complex than the continental ones has led to the suggestion that Nesse 2 developed fully in England, with the move towards a very fine, almost filigree appearance to the edges of the plates.The Collingbourne Ducis brooch is the largest of its type at 13.4cm length; the present example is slightly shorter but is still exceptionally large. The openwork tracery makes the brooch lighter than a solid plate would have been. Fine, as found condition. Extremely rare.
2nd century AD. A marble head of Hercules (Greek Herakles), gently bowed and turned slightly to the left; curled unruly hair and long wavy beard; deep inset eyes and prominent bow, mouth slightly open; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 27.122.18 for another Roman copy of the Lysippos Herakles. 7.1 kg, 30cm including stand (11 3/4"). Property of a gentleman; from a Mayfair, London, UK, gallery; formerly in the Bastan collection; previously with Schopmann, Hamburg, Germany, 18 April 2008; accompanied by a copy of the paid purchase invoice for 19,808.00 euros. This statue head is one of many Roman copies of a Greek statue attributed to Lysippos which depicts Herakles wearied at the end of the twelve labours set for him by Eurystheus, ruler of the Argolid. The original sculpture was cast in bronze by the famous sculptor Lysippos during the Hellenistic period and was subsequently copied in various scales and mediums. It depicts Herakles leaning on his club, holding the apples of the Hesperides behind his back, his head lowered with a fatigued expression. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.
2nd-3rd century AD. A gold ring comprising a D-section shank, broad keeled shoulders, chamfered plaque, discoid bezel with Greek(?) 'EVT/VXI' inscription. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 345. 3.22 grams, 22mm overall, 18.58mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17) (1"). Ex Horton collection; acquired Gorny & Mosch, Munich, 23 June 2010, lot 137; accompanied by a copy of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue pages. Fine condition.
2nd century AD. A gold finger ring comprising a ribbed D-section hoop with stepped shoulders, faceted upper with shallow socket to each spandrel, openwork volute scrolls below the plaque, intaglio advancing lion with '??' legend. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 278 for type. 9.67 grams, 23.30mm overall, 15.33mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.34, Japan 7) (1"). Property of a North London gentleman; acquired on the UK art market before 2000. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.
17th-18th century AD. A gold finger ring comprising a cusped D-section narrow hoop with scooped shoulders and vertical spur, square-section flared bezel with inset inscribed chrysoprase cabochon. 10.80 grams, 30.14mm overall, 17.97mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12) (1 1/4"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.
9th-10th century AD. A silver pendant of a female in floor-length robe holding a shield in her right hand and drawn knife in her left, stylised headdress and long plaited(?) band of hair to the rear; pierced lug to the reverse. See Vang Petersen, P. Valkyrier og Bersærker. Mytologien i Smykkekunsten, in Madsen, P.K. (ed.) Danefæ. Skatte fra den Danske Muld, Copenhagen, 2010; Garde?a, L. ‘Warrior-women’ in Viking Age Scandinavia, A preliminary archaeological study in Analecta Archaeologica Ressoviensia, vol.8, Rzeszów, 2013. 8.12 grams, 41mm (1 1/2"). Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman; acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. This pendant resembles a find from Galgebakke, Denmark, a silver figure holding a short sword and clutching a shield by the boss (Vang Petersen, item 4"). The Galgebakke figure is identified as female on the basis of the elaborate crested hairstyle, and an ankle-length dress with tiny feet beneath. The interpretation usually offered for this figure is that of a skjoldmø or 'shield-maiden', a female who takes up arms in pursuit of vengeance such as the legendary Hervor in Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks. Scholars used to interpret these armed females as valkyries - hand maidens of the god Oðinn - but the idea has been challenged recently (Garde?a, 2013"). Very fine condition. Rare.
1st-2nd century AD. A substantial silver pendant of a phallus with loop to the rear. Cf. Boucher, S. Inventaire des Collections Publiques Françaises - 17 Vienne: Bronzes Antiques, Paris, 1971, item 61 for type. 34 grams, 58.8mm (2 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. Fine condition.
2nd century AD. A bronze disc brooch, the face with concentric bands of millefiori glass and central glass panel; with hinged pin and catch to the reverse. Cf. Hattatt, R. Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, 1987, item 1028 for type. 16 grams, 38mm (1 1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. Very fine condition.
9th century AD. A substantial silver dome-shaped brooch formed as a convex plaque with openwork fylfot design, pellets to each of the four corners and four inner angles, banded border; pin lug and catchplate to the reverse. Cf. Arbman, H. Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.84, item 5 for type, https://imgur.com/Rn0gTLE. 70 grams, 65mm (2 1/2"). Property of a professional collector; acquired before 1990. Fine condition.
6th-4th century BC. A ceramic black-figure amphora with flared foot, piriform body, broad shoulder and trumpet-shaped mouth, loop handles to the shoulders; reserved bands to the neck and shoulder, the latter with palmettes and other vegetation, a harpy, panther and lion in silhouette; attributed to the school of the Micali painter, ca. 520 - 500 BC. See Rizzo, M.A. (ed.) Un Artista etrusco e il suo mondo: il pittore di Micali (exhibition catalogue), 1988, p.20, fig.17. 2.7 kg, 34.5cm (13 1/2"). From a Belgian private collection formed in the 1980s. The decoration is typical of the Micali school works, depicting animals with a large number of breasts and nipples, as a symbol of return to childhood. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.
10th-11th century AD. A silver-gilt D-shaped gusseted Rus pendant with enamelled polychrome motifs: to the obverse an advancing peacock with tail erect; to the reverse a cross within a ring with radiating pellets and triangles. See Fodor, I. et al. La Hongrie de l'An Mil. Naissance d'une Nation Européenne, Budapest, 1998 for discussion. 9 grams, 21mm (7/8"). Ex Murray Scott collection, London, UK; formerly in the Adam Lloyd collection, Northampton, UK, before 1988; accompanied by a copy of a cash receipt dated 8 September 1986. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition. Rare.
10th-11th century AD. A gold finger ring comprising a flat-section flange with tapering ends coiled about the shank; the flange with impressed horseshoe-shaped panels, punched annulets within and surrounding. Cf. Arbman, H. Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.111(9"). 4.84 grams, 20.96mm overall, 18.25mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16) (3/4"). From a private collection formed before 1968. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
Early 1st millennium BC. A bronze palstave axehead of Type Lissett with deep socket to each face, square butt, lateral stops, chamfered forward edge to the flared blade with curved edge and recurved ends; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Schmidt, P.K. & Burgess, C.B. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England, Prähistorische Bronzefunde, Ab. IX, vol. 7, Munich, 1981, item 682 for type. 360 grams, 12cm width (4 3/4"). From the Cotton collection, Hampshire, UK; found Dorset in the 1970s. Fine condition, with smooth patina.
Early 2nd century AD. A gold bracelet formed as a tapering round-section rod with the ends coiled about the shank. Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L. Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 140. 8.75 grams, 54mm (2 1/4"). Property of a Newmarket, UK collector; by inheritance before 1999. Very fine condition.
2nd millennium BC. A silver cylindrical cup with slightly flared rim; three ibex in light repoussé, each with lightly incised detailing. 50 grams, 77mm (3"). From the private collection of a North West London lady; previously with a central London gallery; formerly acquired before 1990. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition; small hole to base.
5th-3rd century BC. A round-section gold neck or arm ring with the ends coiled about the shank, granule stud. 15 grams, 10cm (4"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
6th century AD. A bronze belt- or strap-mount with stepped profile, panel with two facing masks each flanked by bird-head finials to a hatched band; pierced lugs to the reverse. Cf. Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item VI.1.1.6 for type. 11 grams, 50mm (2"). From an English private collection; acquired in the late 1990s. Very fine condition.
9th-10th century AD. A bronze brooch and pendant assemblage comprising: two elliptical bronze tortoise brooches, each domed with raised ornament, wide flange, pin to the reverse; from the lower edge of each brooch a tubular spacer, threaded with leather, suspension hoops to both sides, from which hang two small seed-shaped pendants; to one side an additional chain of double-links joining a bronze equal-arm brooch with two trapezoidal arms, each with raised Borre-Style geometric ornament, masks to the ends and central domed panel, catch, lug and pin to the reverse, pierced lug to accept the chain; below each tubular spacer, a spacer of quatrefoil shape, with two lobes filled with concentric bands, the upper as a suspension loop and the lower with three more suspension loops, from which hang further pendants; from two, a chain connecting the two matching spacers, one shorter and smaller; from the left spacer, two chains of 8-shaped links, one with openwork bird-shaped pendant, one with hollow tubular pendant, from the right spacer a chain of 8-shaped links with a firesteel, formed with an iron curved bit and openwork design of two addorsed horses, suspension loop to the top. See MacGregor, A. et al. A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections, Oxford, 1997, item 4 for oval brooches; cf. Ewing, T. Viking Clothing, Stroud, 2007. 476 grams, 90cm (35 1/2"). Property of a professional collector; acquired before 1990. Women's display jewellery in the Viking age comprised both utilitarian and symbolic items. The brooches were worn high on the chest, supporting an apron-type overdress (hangerok) with the beads and chains strung between them and various small items attached. The pendants probably symbolised the authority of the female in the domestic sphere (key, coin, spindle whorl),and in husbandry (model animal, crotal bells, model knife"). Very fine condition; professionally cleaned and conserved.
4th century AD. A gold ring comprising a lentoid-section hoop and raised rectangular plaque, inscribed to the hoop in seriffed capitals 'CONSTANTINO' and to the plaque 'FIDEM' (faithful to Constantine?"). 9.34 grams, 22.08mm overall, 19.39mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20.00, Japan 19) (3/4"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. The ring is similar to an example in the British Museum (accession number 1917,0501.649) which formed part of the Franks bequest. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition. A large wearable size.
11th-12th century AD. A gold cruciform pendant with gusset to the loop, nimbate bust and text to the discoid finial of each arm, central pelletted cross, 'IC XC' legend to the reverse. 10 grams, 41mm (1 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition. Rare.
3rd century AD. A gold finger ring comprising a D-section hoop, keeled shoulders with lateral scroll detailing, tiered plaque with dished bezel and inset blue glass cabochon. Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L. Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 186 for type. 23.03 grams, 27.06mm overall, 18.29x14.32mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7) (1"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
6th-7th century AD. A silver-gilt tongue-shaped strap end with three attachment holes to the underside; openwork obverse plate with addorsed gryphons. Cf. Wamser, L. Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 443 for type. 22.5 grams, 67mm (2 3/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Very fine condition.
8th-9th century AD. A silver bird-head pendant comprising a D-section neck and curved beak with hollow to the inner face, herringbone detailing to the neck, domed eyes with triskele and comma-leaf pupils, suspension loop above. See Franceschi, G., Jorn, A. & Magnus, B. Fuglen, Dyret og Mennesket i Nordisk Jernalderkunst, vol.2, Borgen, 2005; Brown, P. The Book of Kells, London, reprinted 1992. 12 grams, 31mm (1 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. The bird-head finial has parallels in Scandinavian art (e.g. the mount from Hovinsaari, Finland - Franceschi et al, item 115) while the triskele and comma-leaf detailing to the eye and the incised ornament on the beak have parallels in e.g. the Book of Kells. Very fine condition.
Tang Dynasty, 618-906 AD. A ceramic horse and rider figure on an irregular base, the horse advancing with one foreleg raised, painted bridle and harness detailing, rider in knee-length riding coat and cap, arms held before the chest and fists clenched. 6.1 kg, 53.5cm (21"). Property of a North London gentleman; acquired on the UK art market before 2000; accompanied by original thermoluminescence test certificate no.C119a77 issued by Oxford Authentication Ltd. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Finely modelled, some restoration.
Han Dynasty, 206 BC-220 AD. A ceramic figure of a courtly attendant with short hair, layered robes with V-shaped necklines, hands folded within the bell-shaped sleeves, flared skirt, baggy trousers and rectangular shoes; pigment remaining to head, shoes and neckline; mounted on a custom-made stand. 3.8 kg, 63cm including stand (24 3/4"). Property of a North London gentleman; acquired on the UK art market before 2000; accompanied by original thermoluminescence test certificate no.C119a75 issued by Oxford Authentication Ltd. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Finely modelled, some restoration.
2nd century AD. A gold finger ring comprising a D-section hoop, keeled shoulders with vertical scroll detailing, ellipsoid plaque with two scaphoid panels inscribed 'VIC' and 'TOR' (winner, champion) in seriffed capitals. Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L. Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 180 for type. 7.87 grams, 23.72mm overall, 19.52x16.60mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14) (1"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. Very fine condition.
1st-3rd century AD. A D-section gold hoop with flat borders and flared shoulders supporting a discoid bezel with beaded wire trim, inset blue nicolo gemstone of the figure of Theseus holding his father's sword. Cf. seal ring in British Museum, accession number 1924,0514.4. 5.40 grams, 21mm overall, 14.13mm internal diameter (approximate size British F 1/2, USA 3, Europe 4.3, Japan 4) (3/4"). Ex Horton collection; formerly in an important London collection since the 1970s. Theseus was one of the greatest and most popular heroes of Greek mythology and is closely associated with the city-state of Athens. His father Aegeus was concerned as he had no heirs, so he consulted the famous oracle at Delphi for advice; the Oracle pronounced: 'Do not loosen the bulging mouth of the wineskin until you have reached the height of Athens, lest you die of grief.', a cryptic message that Aegeus did not understand. The oracle then told Aegeus to visit Pittheus, king of Troezen, a small city south of Athens as he was famous for his wisdom and skill at expounding oracles. Pittheus understood the prophecy and introduced Aegeus to his daughter, Aethra, when Aegeus was drunk at a banquet held in his honour. But following the instructions of Athena in a dream, Aethra left the sleeping Aegeus and waded across to the island of Sphairia. There she poured a libation to Poseidon and was possessed by the sea god in the night and conceived Theseus. This gave Theseus a combination of divine as well as mortal characteristics in his nature and such double paternity, with one immortal and one mortal, was a familiar feature of other Greek heroes. After Aethra became pregnant, Aegeus left her and decided to return to Athens where he married the sorceress Medea. Before leaving, he buried his sandals and sword under a huge rock and told Aethra that when their son grew up, he should move the rock, if he was heroic enough, and take them for himself as evidence of his royal parentage. When Theseus grew to manhood, he moved the rock and recovered his father's tokens, examining them for signs of their ownership. His mother then told him the truth about his father's identity and that he must take the sword and sandals back to king Aegeus to claim his birthright. On his way to Athens he carried out his first heroic deeds, known as the Six Labours. Theseus is also known for many other adventures and was one of the Argonauts, however, he is more famous for slaying the Minotaur at the Labyrinth of Crete. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
14th-15th century AD. A gold iconographic ring with facetted bezel of three panels depicting a haloed figure, most likely the Madonna, holding the infant Christ in the centre, haloed figures to each side; the band tapering from the shoulders to the back, decorated with lines of diagonal beading; inscribed to the inside of the bezel in blackletter script 'en bon an', which translates to 'a good year', or 'Happy New Year'. 13.89 grams, 23.79mm overall, 19.28mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20.00, Japan 19) (1"). From the private jewellery collection of a central London lady; acquired in 2004 from the London Coin Fair; formerly the property of a Suffolk gentleman since the late 1980s. Malcolm Jones, Sheffield University, Dept. English Language & Linguistics, Senior Lecturer 1994-2009 and advisor to the British Museum and Portable Antiquities Scheme, says: 'en bon an -- first word is not the indefinite article but a preposition, so translation is a little misleading. Such rings were given as New Year presents and so there is an implicit wish that the recipient will have a good year – the inscription is fairly common and I'd be tempted to render it Happy New Year – cf. in the BM, the iconographic ring AF.919 and remarks there.' [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition. A large wearable size.
2nd-1st century BC. A gold clasp comprising a plaque with curved lateral frond extensions, applied beaded wire rims, central discoid cell with beaded wire rim and dentilled edge; loop to the reverse and clip with fabric (?) remains. Cf. Marshall, F.H. Catalogue of the Jewellery, Greek, Etruscan and Roman, in the Department of Antiquities, British Museum, London, 1911, pl.LXX, item 3015 for type. 10.21 grams, 45.5mm (2"). Property of a European businessman; formerly in a Belgian collection; previously from an old German collection. [No Reserve] Fine condition, damaged, one frond absent.
Late 4th-early 3rd century BC. A gold ring comprising a D-section shank and broad bezel with tiered upper face and central cell, inset garnet cabochon with intaglio nude hero standing, arms raised to the head, shield resting against the knee and spear resting on the shoulder. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994 for type. 35 grams total, 30mm overall, 19.45mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.0, Japan 20) (1 1/4"). Property of a Surrey gentleman; acquired 2007 from a private French collector; accompanied by a copy of the purchase invoice for £12,500.00, supplied with geologic report No. TL004945, by geologic consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
15th century AD. A substantial gold finger ring comprising a D-section hoop with faux-twist pellet detailing, rosettes to the shoulders, hexagonal bezel with intaglio image of a bird of prey attacking a smaller bird, pellets to the rim. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 601 for type. 25.35 grams, 25.91mm overall, 20.73mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21) (1"). Property of a UK gentleman; acquired from a London gallery in the late 1980s; formerly from a private European collection, formed in the 1960s and 1970s. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition. A large wearable size.
5th-3rd century BC. A carved agate kohl pot or cosmetics phial formed as two addorsed rams' foreparts and two bulls', the rim formed by the conjoined horns of the rams. 99 grams, 60mm (2 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent, supplied with geologic report No. TL 004764, by geologic consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Extremely fine condition.
14th-15th century AD. A gold finger ring comprising a broad lentoid-section hoop, discoid bezel with beaded border, heraldic design of a cross potent and four crosslets, the arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. 17.85 grams, 21.53mm overall, 17.98mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15) (3/4"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition. A large wearable size.
New Kingdom, 1550-1070 BC. A bronze statuette of Isis wearing the horned headdress with sun-disc between and uraeus, feet resting on a square plaque, infant Horus sitting on her lap with sidelock, Isis's right hand cupping her left breast; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Andrews, C. Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994. 705 grams, 20cm including stand (7 3/4"). From the private collection of a North West London lady; previously with a central London gallery; formerly acquired before 1990. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.
15th-16th century AD. A gold ring comprising a D-section hoop with heart-shaped panel to the underside, round bezel with hexafoil panel and triangular void enclosing a historic, very early cut diamond. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 562 for type. 9.22 grams, 26mm overall, 18.14mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 17.0, Japan 16) (1"). Property of a UK gentleman; acquired from a London gallery in the late 1980s; formerly from a private European collection, formed in the 1960s and 1970s, supplied with geologic report No. TL005180, by geologic consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz. Dr. Ronald Bonewitz notes: 'This stone can be considered ‘historic’ in that it illustrates the earliest efforts at actually re-shaping the stone rather than just polishing the natural faces, as was done previously. Not only that, at this time facets were placed more or less at random, but this stone was very deliberately cut into a proper geometric shape. It is an early and rather splendid example of the evolving diamond-cutters art.' [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
6th-7th century AD. A sheet silver boat-shaped bowl, elliptical in plan with rounded underside, thickened rim; repoussé ornament including a band of heart-shaped motifs to the rim, two birds each with crescent above the head and tapering tail holding a bead necklace in the beak, a profile advancing lion with pointillé fur detailing, rows of S-shaped bars and rosettes, central wreath enclosing a simurgh motif. See Harper, P.O. & Meyers, P. Silver Vessels of the Sasanian Period, New York, 1981 for discussion; Muscarella, O.W. Bronze and Iron. Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, item 428 for type; also Godard, A. The Art of Iran, London, 1965, p.214-215, ill.120 and 121, for a bottle with repoussé decoration now in the National Museum, Tehran, depicting a similar mythical animal at the base. 286 grams, 28cm (11"). On the London art market since 2005; with Boisgirard and Associes, Arts d'Orient Archelolgie - Islam, Paris, 7-9 June 2006, lot 348; previously in a private collection, kept in Switzerland since the 1960s; accompanied by a copy of a metallography analysis and report by Dr Peter Northover, Begbroke Nano, Oxford University; and a copy of an expertise report. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.
1st century BC-1st century AD. A gold finger ring comprising a round-section D-shaped hoop, gusseted scaphoid bezel with inset glass cabochon. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 159 for type. 5.01 grams, 20.37mm overall, 15.43x11.90mm internal diameter (approximate size British E, USA 2 1/4, Europe 2.41, Japan 2) (3/4"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. Very fine condition.
6th-8th century AD. A silver ring comprising a round-section hoop and ellipsoid gold bezel with inset jasper cloison, intaglio advancing sphinx with one foreleg resting on a rosette. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 478. 4.15 grams, 21.32mm overall, 16.09x13.61mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6) (3/4"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. Fine condition.
2nd-4th century AD. A gold cosmetic or medicinal spoon with deep bowl and lateral spurs to the rear, balustered shank and knop finial. Cf. Riha, E. & Stern, W.B. Die Römischen Löffel aus Augst und Kaiseraugst, Forschungen in Augst 5, Augst, 1982, item 242 for type. 15 grams, 97mm (4"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. Fine condition.
2nd-3rd century AD. A gold finger ring comprising a D-profile hoop, ellipsoid bezel with flange rim, inset banded carnelian cameo with reserved theatrical mask motif. Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L. Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 243 for type. 11.76 grams, 26.16mm overall, 18.49mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16) (1"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. Dr Bonewitz notes: 'Very fine and unusual gemstone carving.' [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition. A large wearable size.
4th century AD. A substantial silver ring comprising a D-section hoop with keeled shoulders, discoid cell with beaded wire collar, inset later carnelian cloison with intaglio profile bust of Minerva wearing crested Corinthian helmet, dress pin to the mantled shoulder. Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L. Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 191 for type. 32.56 grams, 36.19mm overall, 22.46x18.26mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18) (1 1/2"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. Very fine condition. A large wearable size.
Late 17th century AD. A gold ring comprising a D-section hoop with lateral panels of niello-filled scrolled-tendril ornament, transverse bands to the shoulders with scroll detailing to the rim, bezel with white enamel skull and protruding crossed bones, garnet cabochon eyes. See Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, items 721, 723 for type. 6.62 grams, 24.20mm overall, 19.84mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 10, Europe 22.33, Japan 21) (1"). Property of a Wiltshire lady; previously in a German collection. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition. A large wearable size.
6th century AD. A parcel-gilt silver sword pommel cap of Bifrons-Gilton type, rectangular in plan with two pierced lugs and securing pins to each short edge, raised T-shaped panel to each scooped face and corresponding notches to the long edges; border of punched triangles to the flat faces and the raised panels, hollow to the underside with ferrous remains; to one face four ring-and-dot motifs on the lower edge flanking an incised arrowhead, incised voided arrowhead to the other face with two ring-and-dot motifs and fylfot to the lower edge. Cf. Menghin, W. Das Schwert im Frühen Mittelalter, Stuttgart, 1983 for discussion. 15.46 grams, 39mm (1 1/2"). Found Isle of Wight, Hampshire, UK, 2018; disclaimed with treasure reference 2018T180; accompanied by a copy of the Portable Antiquities Scheme report number IOW-FC69E6. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition. Extremely rare.
Neolithic Period, 6th-3rd millennium BC. A flint bifacial halberd or sickle blade with curved two-edge pointed blade, square butt. See Glob, P.V. Danske Oldsager II Yngre Stenalder, Copenhagen, 1952, item 594 for type. 105 grams, 16cm (6 1/4"). Property of an Essex gentleman; previously in an old European family collection. Fine condition. Scarce.
6th-4th century BC. A silver bowl with flared rim; shoulder decorated with elongated ovules; to the inside repoussé decoration of linked palmettes and lotus flowers. 68 grams, 13cm (5"). From a European collection; previously in a large American collection formed in Chicago, Illinois, USA, in 1995; previously in the Mansees collection; formed 1950s-early 1990s. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A set of silver military insignia comprising four lengths of trichinopoly chain with attachment sleeves and loops with discoid dangles, two ivy-leaf-shaped flat pendants each with bulb finial and securing clip to both faces. Cf. Appels, A. & Laycock, S. Roman Buckles and Military Fittings, Witham, 2007, item AA14.10 for type. 63 grams total, 63cm (24 3/4"). Property of a European gentleman; formerly in a German private collection formed in the 1950-1970s. Fine condition.
2nd-3rd century AD. A sheet silver piriform vase with discoid base, carinated shoulder, tall neck and flared rim with small pouring lip; parcel-gilt band of grapevine ornament with pointillé borders, similar band to the shoulder with profile putti. See Carducci, C. Gold and Silver Treasures of Ancient Italy, London, 1969 for discussion. 155 grams, 14cm (5 1/2"). From a private collection formed in North America; acquired on the US art market in the early 1990s. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition.
2nd-3rd century AD. A carved rock crystal model male head with neatly styled hair, squat nose, deep-set eyes; later made into a tie-pin. 7.77 grams, 79mm (3"). Ex Alexander Manhes collection; acquired Paris, France, in 1955, supplied with geologic report No. TL005167, by geologic consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 BC. A gold finger ring comprising a flat-section hoop with serpent detailing to the coiled tail and extended head, punched scales, pellet eyes, central cell with filigree collar, inset garnet cabochon. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 115 for type. 8.27 grams, 32.25mm overall, 18.38mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 16) (1 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired before 1970. Very fine condition.
2nd century AD. A gold ring comprising a beaded wire hoop expanding to lyre-shaped openwork shoulders, discoid bezel with cell and ropework border, inset cameo of an antelope with a lion seizing it and biting its neck. Cf. Chadour, A.B. Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 312 for type. 4.64 grams, 19mm overall, 13.99mm internal diameter (approximate size British F, USA 2 3/4, Europe 3.67, Japan 3) (3/4"). Property of a Newmarket, UK collector; by inheritance before 1999. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Fine condition, small chip.
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