Medieval Pewter St Barbara Pilgrim`s Badge15th century AD. A badge of nimbate Saint Barbara standing next to a tower with three windows and holding a palm frond, modelled in the half-round. 3.30 grams, 25mm (1"). Ex Mitchell collection; found on the Thames foreshore at London Bridge. According to the legendary accounts of her life that circulated from the seventh century, Barbara was the daughter of a rich pagan named Dioscorus. She was carefully guarded by her father who kept her locked up in a tower in order to preserve her from the outside world. Having secretly become a Christian, she rejected an offer of marriage that she received through him. Before going on a journey, her father commanded that a private bath-house be erected for her use near her dwelling, and during his absence Barbara had three windows put in it, as a symbol of the Holy Trinity, instead of the two originally intended. When her father returned, she acknowledged herself to be a Christian; upon this she was ill-treated by him and dragged before the prefect of the province, Martinianus, who had her cruelly tortured and finally condemned her to death by beheading. The father himself carried out the death-sentence, but in punishment for this he was struck by lightning on the way home and his body consumed. This summary omits picturesque details found in some versions. These recount that, when her father discovered that she was a Christian, he wanted to kill her, but her prayers created an opening in the tower wall and she escaped. Pursued by her father and guards, she hid in a gorge in the mountains. She stayed hidden here until a shepherd betrayed her. As legend has it, the shepherd was transformed into a marble statue and his herd into grasshoppers. When tortured, Barbara held true to her faith. During the night, the dark prison was bathed in light and new miracles occurred. Every morning her wounds were healed. Torches that were to be used to burn her went out as soon as they came near her. According to one version, she died on 4 December 306 in her native Nicomedia, Bithynia, Asia Minor. Saint Barbara is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (also known as Helpers in Need). Her association with the lightning that killed her father has caused her to be invoked against lightning and fire; by association with explosions, she is also the patron of artillery and mining. Her feast on 4 December was included in the Tridentine Calendar, having been introduced in Rome in the twelfth century. In 1729 that date was assigned to the celebration of Saint Peter Chrysologus, reducing that of Saint Barbara to a commemoration in his Mass. In 1969, because the accounts of her life and martyrdom were judged to be entirely fabulous, lacking clarity even about the place of her martyrdom, it was removed from that calendar. But she is still mentioned in the Roman Martyrology, which, in addition, lists another ten martyr saints named Barbara. Orthodox Christians have never ceased to venerate Saint Barbara, who is very popular among them. For them too her feast day is 4 December. In the 12th century, the relics of Saint Barbara were brought from Constantinople to the St. Michael`s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kiev, where they were kept until the 1930s, when they were transferred to St. Vladimir`s Cathedral in the same city. Very fine condition. Scarce.
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Saxon Gold Filigree-Plait Finger Ring6th-8th century AD. A cast flat-section hoop formed to imitate tightly-plaited filigree wire in a herringbone pattern. Cf. filigree clasps in Webster, L. & Backhouse, J. The Making of England. Anglo-Saxon Art and Culture AD 600-900, London, 1991, item 14. 5.39 grams, 19mm overall, 16.05mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 10.27, Japan 10) (3/4"). Property of a Buckinghamshire collector, by descent from the vendor’s father in 1997, who formed his collection in the 1970s-1980s. The unworn inner face shows clearly the optical effect of `zipping` when the ring is turned through the light. The use of filigree in the herringbone pattern is found on high-status Anglo-Saxon goldwork such as the infill between the boars` legs on the shoulder clasps from Sutton Hoo Mound 1. Fine condition.
Geological Eton College Museum Crocodile Leg Bone Fossil160 million BP. A leg bone from the extinct Jurassic crocodile Steneosaurus sp. from the Oxford Clay, in old white card tray with Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd identification card: ‘EXTINCT CROCODILE LEG BONE, Steneosarus sp., Oxford Clay, Jurassic Age, (Approx. 160 million tears ago), Whittlesea, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, (collected 1908 - ex. Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge, and Eton College Museum)’. 256 grams total, 13cm (tray: 15.5cm) (5 - 6"). Collected in 1908, ex. Sedgick Museum Cambridge and Eton College Museum, noted on GBL label. From a historic ‘Victorian Museum’ collection; from the stock of Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (1981-2014); formerly with Gregory, Bottley & Co. (1932-1981) and previously with J. R. Gregory & Co. (1898-1932); originally in the collection of the famous James Reynolds Gregory (1858-1898). This item is part of a historic collection of fossils and minerals which has recently been reviewed by leading geological expert Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Steneosaurus sp. is an extinct genus of early crocodiles found as fossils in Jurassic rocks (208 to 144 million years ago) of South America, Europe, and North Africa. Its skull was very light and narrow, with large openings and a long and narrow snout. James Reynolds Gregory (1832-1899) was one of the principal London mineral and fossil dealers during the second half of the 19th century. The company he founded was one of the longest surviving geological suppliers in the world, second only to Kranz of Germany. In 1858 James Gregory established his business selling polished stones, minerals and fossils from premises in King William Street. A few years later he moved to premises in Golden Square, Soho. He won prize medals at exhibitions in Paris (1867), Sydney (1879) and London (1862 and 1883). He also formed a superb collection of meteorites, which was later sold by his sons to the Natural History Museum, London. On the death of his father in 1899 Albert Gregory took over the business, dealing from premises in Kensington, then 30 Old Church Street in Chelsea. He eventually sold the company in 1932 to Percy Bottley, and after his death in 1982 the premises were sold. The company was then acquired by Brian Lloyd who had started the Natural History sales at Sotheby`s before dealing from his own premises in Pall Mall. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd, as it became known, traded from Ricket Street and later Seagrave Road in Fulham. In 2008 the business and all of the stock and Victorian cabinets were moved out of London to Walmer in Kent. On the eventual retirement of Brian and Mary Lloyd in 2014, with none of their family interested in taking over the business, the stock was sold and is now dispersed. Fine condition.
Geological Alexandrite TrillingAn unusually large and well-crystallised trilling (multiply twinned crystal) of alexandrite chrysoberyl, showing exceptionally fine face development and twinning, and exhibiting some colour change from greenish to plum in changing light. Cf. Bonewitz, Dr. Ronald Louis Smithsonian Rock and Gem, (2008), p.159. 31 grams, 36mm (1 1/2"). Ex Dr. Ronald Bonewitz collection; from Brazil. Chrysoberyl is an aluminate of beryllium. Extremely fine condition. Crystals of this quality are very rare and unusual.
Geological Quartz Sphere with Red Rutile InclusionsA spectacular and highly unusual light smoky quartz sphere with several red rutile crystals developed along an internal plane. Cf. Bonewitz, Dr. Ronald Louis Smithsonian Rock and Gem, (2008), p.219. 1.4 kg, 10.5cm (4"). Ex Dr. Ronald Bonewitz collection. Very rare and unusual, one of a kind Extremely fine condition. The best example acquired in over 50 years of collecting.
Geological Mixed Gemstone Polished Sphere GroupA group of four high-quality gemstone spheres comprising: a layered agate sphere with a white layer forming an ‘eye’; a lapis lazuli sphere of good blue colour; a near-transparent rose quartz sphere showing a six-rayed star with a single-point light source; an amethyst sphere of good purple colour; supplied with stands. 1.1 kg total, 53-67mm including stand (2 1/4 - 2 1/2"). Ex Dr. Ronald Bonewitz collection. [4]Extremely fine condition. All select quality.
Geological Rainbow Quartz SphereAn unusually transparent quartz sphere with internal structures which diffract light into rainbow colours, producing this effect to a high degree; supplied with stand. Cf. Bonewitz, Dr. Ronald Louis Smithsonian Rock and Gem, (2008), p.219. 426 grams, 65mm (2 1/4"). Ex Dr. Ronald Bonewitz collection. Extremely fine condition. Excellent colour dispersion.
Geological Rainbow Quartz Sphere GroupTwo quartz spheres with internal structures that diffract light into rainbow colours; supplied with stands. Cf. Bonewitz, Dr. Ronald Louis Smithsonian Rock and Gem, (2008), p.219. 536 grams total, 52-61mm (2 - 2 1/2"). Ex Dr. Ronald Bonewitz collection. [2]Extremely fine condition, superb colour dispersion.
Geological Mixed Gemstone Polished Egg GroupA group of seven gemstone eggs, all in high-quality materials and cut and polished to a high standard comprising: blue tiger eye, rutilated quartz, rutilated smoky quartz, ‘rainbow’ quartz, malachite, near flawless rock crystal, star rose quartz which exhibits a six-rayed star under a point light source. 978 grams total, 41-60mm (1 1/2 - 2 1/4"). Ex Dr. Ronald Bonewitz collection. These are the select eggs from a very large group. [7]Extremely fine condition.
Geological Baryte Mineral SpecimenA large specimen of bladed light blue barite (or baryte), a barium sulphate, from the Gregory, Bottley, and Lloyd collection. Cf. Bonewitz, Dr. Ronald Louis Smithsonian Rock and Gem, (2008), p.210. 513 grams total, 87mm (tray: 10cm) (3 1/2 - 4"). From Baia Sprie, Romania. From a historic ‘Victorian Museum’ collection; from the stock of Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (1981-2014); formerly with Gregory, Bottley & Co. (1932-1981) and previously with J. R. Gregory & Co. (1898-1932); originally in the collection of the famous James Reynolds Gregory (1858-1898); with Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd identification card. This item is part of a historic collection of fossils and minerals which has recently been reviewed by leading geological expert Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. James Reynolds Gregory (1832-1899) was one of the principal London mineral and fossil dealers during the second half of the 19th century. The company he founded was one of the longest surviving geological suppliers in the world, second only to Kranz of Germany. In 1858 James Gregory established his business selling polished stones, minerals and fossils from premises in King William Street. A few years later he moved to premises in Golden Square, Soho. He won prize medals at exhibitions in Paris (1867), Sydney (1879) and London (1862 and 1883). He also formed a superb collection of meteorites, which was later sold by his sons to the Natural History Museum, London. On the death of his father in 1899 Albert Gregory took over the business, dealing from premises in Kensington, then 30 Old Church Street in Chelsea. He eventually sold the company in 1932 to Percy Bottley, and after his death in 1982 the premises were sold. The company was then acquired by Brian Lloyd who had started the Natural History sales at Sotheby`s before dealing from his own premises in Pall Mall. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd, as it became known, traded from Ricket Street and later Seagrave Road in Fulham. In 2008 the business and all of the stock and Victorian cabinets were moved out of London to Walmer in Kent. On the eventual retirement of Brian and Mary Lloyd in 2014, with none of their family interested in taking over the business, the stock was sold and is now dispersed. [No Reserve]Very fine condition, a large size for display.
Greek Apulian Red-Figure Miniature Kantharos4th century BC. A blackware vessel with tiered foot, ribbed stem, bell-shaped body with two scrolled strap handles, gussetted rim; the body enlivened with ochre and white slip showing on both sides, the head of a lady of fashion, her hair dressed in a kekryphalos and radiate stephane, wearing drop earrings, her face flanked on either side by stylised Ionic columns, objects in the field. 65 grams, 92mm (3 3/4"). Ex Monmouthshire, UK, collection; acquired TimeLine Auctions sale, March 2011, lot 461. Fine condition, light abrasion.
A large Della Robbia late 19th century charger, the broad rim and central panel with incised stylised Art Nouveau decoration of flower heads and leaves, incised marks to the reverse, artist mark for Charles Collis and impressed 365, diameter 50cm. CONDITION REPORT Some paint loss and fritting to the rim, there is 1x 1.5cm chip to the back of the rim, otherwise there is some light crazing commensurate with age.
Three pieces of Royal Worcester Blanc de Chine; a figural salt depicting a young merman on oval base, a scallop moulded bowl upon a stylised fish back and a leaf moulded jug, all three with green pointed marks, heights 10cm, 11.5cm and 10.5cm respectively. CONDITION REPORT The bowl on fish's back has rubbing to the raised parts and a bit of discolouration in parts, also rubbing to the main body of the fish, the salt has a tiny pin head sized chip to the rim and general wear and the jug also has light wear to the surface.
Christophe Fratin, , a pair of patinated bronze four light candelabra Christophe Fratin, (French, 1801 - 1864), a pair of patinated bronze four light candelabra, mid 19th century, each with a raised candle socket clad with an oak wreath, on an acorn stem held aloft on a hind leg of a reclining bear, above three conforming sockets supported on its forelegs and the other rear leg, within the upper branches of a tree trunk stem, above further branches holding monkeys playing the flute, the triangle and castanets respectively, each stem with further branches half way down, supporting three seated monkeys cast with cymbals, a recorder and Pan pipes respectively, the bases of the trunk shafts each with three dancing bears, on circular bases cast as stylised foliage, each base stamped `FRATIN`, 58.5cm high Fratin was born in Metz, Moselle, the son of a taxidermist. He studied sculpture under Pioche in Metz, then moved to Paris to study under Théodore Géricault. He exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1831-1842 and 1850-1862, as well as at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 Fratin received monumental commissions in France and elsewhere, including the Deux Aigles Gardant Leur Proie (Eagles and Prey, created 1850) displayed since 1863 in New York City`s Central Park. Many of his small bronzes were sold commercially during his lifetime. Today, Fratin`s sculpture is on permanent display in the Louvre, the city museums of Metz, Lyon, and Nîmes; the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland; and the Georg Eisler archive in Vienna
Patrick Nasmyth (1787-1831) - A cottage by a pond, extensive landscape with a windmill beyond Oil on panel Signed Patk Nasmyth lower right 40 x 50.5 cm. (15 3/4 x 19 7/8 in) Please note the condition report for this lot has recently been updated and should read; Cradling to reverse. One very fine restored split running horizontally along the centre. Retouching visible under UV light. May benefit from a light clean.
A Crimea Medal with four bars, `Alma`, `Balaclava`, `Inkermann` and `Sebastopol` (the Balaclava bar a jeweller`s copy), re-named in engraved sloping capitals `1433. Sergt. W.D. Colson. 13th Light Dragoons.` (the suspension repaired), a Turkish Crimea Medal with engraved naming in sloping capitals `1433. Sergt. W.D. Colson. 13th Light Dragoons`, detailed `La Crimea 1855`, and an Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Victorian issue, re-named in engraved sloping capitals `1433. Sqd. QM. Sergt. W.D. Colson. 13th Hussars`.
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534325 item(s)/page