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Click here to subscribeThree flint handaxes Paleolithic-Neolithic period, circa 200,000-6,000 B.C. Including a Saharan black stone handaxe with straight cutting edge Provenance: English private collection, acquired London and the West Country in 2000; Private collection, London, acquired on the UK art market 2015 Dimensions: (Longest) 16.5 cm
A Neolithic knapped flint hand axe, probably North African, circa 4000 BC; 15.5cm long; and a small collection of fossils and stone specimens.NOTE: The Neolithic hand axe was the subject of research by its Late owner. An email from the Curator of the Palaeolithic Collections at the British Museum (dated 2008) states that he has not seen examples of this colour flint from north Africa before, but that it bears a striking resemblance to British examples
TWO CHINESE GREEN HARDSTONE ARCHAISTIC BI DISCS, one of conventional ring form, carved on one side in low relief with a chilong, 12cms (diam.), the other of spearpoint form, incised with chilong on both sides, 21.5cms (h), both on wood stands (2)Auctioneer's Note: Bi discs have been produced since the Neolithic period and were often found buried with the dead. Though their purpose is unknown, later texts thought that bi were representations of heaven.Provenance: private collection GwyneddComments: one stand reglued, one stand with small chip only
A CHINESE HAN DYNASTY (206 BC-220 AD) PAINTED POTTERY TOMB FIGURE OF AN ATTENDANT, A TANG DYNASTY (618-907 AD) POTTERY TOMB FIGURE OF A COURT LADY, A NEOLITHIC TERRACOTTA JAR AND A TANG DYNASTY AMBER GLAZED OVIFORM JAR. The standing figure of an attendant with facial details and tunic picked out in red, white and black pigment, holding aloft his right hand, 25.5cm high, the court lady standing with her hands clasped at her chest, with her hair in high top knot, with traces of pigment, on a perspex stand, 34cm high exc. stand, the terracotta jar with flared neck and compressed body and rounded base 8cm high, the oviform amber glazed jar 14.7cm high (4) The Han Dynasty figure of an attendant - cracked and restuck through neck and right ankle, some typical surface wear and flaking to pigment.Court Lady - cracked and repaired around neck, to side of body, around waist and clasped hands, some areas of old in-filling to cracks, base also cracked across one corner and repaired, some remnants of pigment although the majority has flaked, some chipping and surface deterioration overall. Neolithic jar - minor chipping to upper rim, surface scratching to base, typical surface wear overall. Amber glazed jar - the amber is overfired and is brown in tone, with light chipping to upper rim, some typical glaze crazing, minute losses to glaze and surface wear.
Three Babylonian and Neo-Babylonian terracotta cuneiform tabletsCirca 6th Century B.C.The smallest pale grey terracotta Babylonian tablet with Akkadian script recording a loan, circa 580 B.C., 3.9cm x 3cm; a Babylonian tablet with chipped corner, recording a loan of barley, dated 18 July 543 B.C., 3.9cm x 3.4cm; and a Neo-Babylonian tablet, the administrative text recording a contract for a loan by a Bel-sum-iskun to Iluma-uga, dated 29 May 514 B.C., 4cm x 4.6cm (3)Footnotes:Provenance:Sir John Lubbock, 1st Lord Avebury (1834-1913) collection.Formerly the Property of the First Lord Avebury; Sotheby's, London, 4 July 1932, lot 143.Alan Gradon Thomas (1911-1992) collection, London, acquired from the above sale via Spink and Co., London.Fine Books and Manuscripts from the Library of the late Alan G. Thomas; Sotheby's, London, 21 June 1993, lot 1.Jacques Carré (1927-2015) collection, Antwerp, acquired from the above sale; and thence by descent to Olivier Carré.Sir John Lubbock, 1st Lord Avebury (1834-1913) was an English banker, Liberal politician, philanthropist, scientist, and polymath, who made significant contributions to the fields of archaeology, ethnography, and biology. His close friendship with Charles Darwin kindled his interest in evolutionary selection. His publications included Prehistoric Times in 1865, and The Origin of Civilisation and the Primitive Condition of Man in 1870, in which he coined the terms 'Palaeolithic' and 'Neolithic' to refer to the Old and New Stone Ages. A collection of Iron Age antiquities he excavated alongside Sir John Evans at the site of Hallstatt in Austria is now in the British Museum.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
A Chinese Neolithic large pottery jar. Circa 2000 BC, with twin loop handles and painted iron red and black bands, height 32cm, diameter 43cm. Thought to have been acquired circa 2000.Mollie & Graham met in Wimbledon in 1978. He, a Cornishman, born in Gulval in 1930, acquired an early appreciation of art visiting Newlyn Gallery with his family. In his early career Graham worked in London writing for the Daily Express and he was responsible for one of the first Arts columns in a tabloid paper, but in 1960 he opened an antique shop in Chelsea. Inspired by trips to Italy, he displayed early furniture and antiquities in an uncluttered modern setting, a technique he later utilised in his own home. The Darks moved back to Cornwall in 1980 and at their home in Flushing, and later Truro, curated an impressive body of art and antiquities with a particular focus on Cornish artists such as Paul Feiler and Terry Frost, who both became close friends. The paintings were displayed alongside mid-century modern designer furniture by Eames, Bertoia and Magistretti, and arrangements of antiquities, thought of as ‘ensembles’ by Graham. Warm, charming, and generous hosts, they entertained their artistic circle of friends in their exquisitely arranged home, and it is a privilege for us to handle their beautiful possessions today. We hope to present them to you with as much care and consideration as the Darks used, and that those two remarkable connoisseurs would have approved.Graham Dark 1930-2015Mollie Dark 1928-2024
A Roman terracotta flask. Height 13.5cm, another similar flask and a Neolithic twin-handled vessel, height 10.2cm (3). Mollie & Graham met in Wimbledon in 1978. He, a Cornishman, born in Gulval in 1930, acquired an early appreciation of art visiting Newlyn Gallery with his family. In his early career Graham worked in London writing for the Daily Express and he was responsible for one of the first Arts columns in a tabloid paper, but in 1960 he opened an antique shop in Chelsea. Inspired by trips to Italy, he displayed early furniture and antiquities in an uncluttered modern setting, a technique he later utilised in his own home. The Darks moved back to Cornwall in 1980 and at their home in Flushing, and later Truro, curated an impressive body of art and antiquities with a particular focus on Cornish artists such as Paul Feiler and Terry Frost, who both became close friends. The paintings were displayed alongside mid-century modern designer furniture by Eames, Bertoia and Magistretti, and arrangements of antiquities, thought of as ‘ensembles’ by Graham. Warm, charming, and generous hosts, they entertained their artistic circle of friends in their exquisitely arranged home, and it is a privilege for us to handle their beautiful possessions today. We hope to present them to you with as much care and consideration as the Darks used, and that those two remarkable connoisseurs would have approved.Graham Dark 1930-2015Mollie Dark 1928-2024
TWO DISPLAYS OF STONE ARROWHEADS one display of arrowheads stated to be from Dagenham, Essex, with twenty-three probably Neolithic arrowheads (display in poor condition), with some arrowheads with dated 9/5/37 on the rear for date of excavation, the second display of arrowheads from Arkansas, stated to be from the Cahokia Mounds Period, twenty-four arrowheads in total, longest display 51.0 cm (2)
Ilias Lalaounis, a pair of Neolithic horn earrings, hammered brushed finish, with clip fittings for non pierced ears, stamped A21 750 Greece, with makers mark Ilias Lalaounis and logo, one earring measures 5.4 x 3.7cm, in a Ilias Lalaounis red box Condition Report: Gross weight 33.5 grams Overall good conditionclips open and close securely and have silicon covers on
A Rare Black ??Eggshell?? Pottery Stemcup, Neolithic period, Longshan culture, c.?2500-2000 BCReference.For a similar black 'eggshell' pottery stemcup,Longshan culture, see Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25 Nov 2022, Lot 819. For a burnished black pottery stem cup, Longshan culture, see Christies's New York , 19 Sep 2024, Lot 1001. H:13cm Old Restored
Chinese earthenware jar, Neolithic Period, Majiayao culture, Machang Phase (c.2300–2000 BC), thinly potted in a squat form with a flared rim and 2 strap handles, painted geometric cross and zig-zag decoration, H.12cm approx. (Provenance: Purchased by the Vendor from Luen Chai Curios Store, 22 Upper Lascar Row, Hong Kong, 25th September 1986)
Neolithic Period, 4th-2nd millennium B.C. Some with cortex to surface; each with inked find spot 'Touvent'. 330 grams total, 47-76 mm (1 3/4 - 3 in.). [7, No Reserve]Found Touvent, France. Ex Norfolk, UK, private collection of French artefacts acquired prior to 2000. From the collection of a South West London, UK, specialist Stone Age collector.
Neolithic Period, circa 4th-3rd millennium B.C. or later. With narrow edge, ellipsoid-section body, pointed butt. 310 grams, 13.5 cm (5 3/8 in.). [No Reserve]Found Sheravoys Hills, Madras, India, circa 1922. Acquired Hemel Hempstead, UK, 31st April 2004. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.N153; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.
Neolithic Period, circa 4th-3rd millennium B.C. Highly polished with broad convex cutting edge, body tapering to a narrow square butt. Cf. MacGregor, A. ed., Antiquities From Europe and the Near East in the Collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, Oxford, 1987, no.5.7, for similar form. 288 grams, 11.8 cm (4 5/8 in.). [No Reserve]From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Neolithic Period, circa 4th-3rd millennium B.C. With broad butt and flat edge, deeply scooped profile to the socket rims; blade and butt chipped. Cf. MacGregor, A. (ed.), Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the Collection of Lord MacAlpine of West Green, Oxford, 1987, item 6.20, for type. 518 grams, 10.9 cm (4 1/4 in.). [No Reserve]From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Neolithic Period, circa 6th-4th millennium B.C. Biconvex in profile with some abrasion, rounded cutting edge. Cf. MacGregor, A. (ed.), Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the Collection of Lord MacAlpine of West Green, Oxford, 1987, item 1.18, for type. 251 grams, 11 cm (4 3/8 in.). [No Reserve]From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Neolithic Period, circa 4000-3000 B.C. Lozengiform in section with broad cutting edge, flat rounded butt. Cf. MacGregor, A. (ed.), Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the Collection of Lord MacAlpine of West Green, Oxford, 1987, item 4.1, for type. 288 grams, 15.5 cm (6 1/8 in.). [No Reserve]Found Norfolk, UK, in 1996. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Neolithic-Early Bronze Age, circa 6000-4500 B.P. Very fine examples with intricate pressure flaking; in old collector's card tray with padding, inked find spot 'Blesignac' to one edge. 7.23 grams total, 25.4-28.5 mm (1 in.). [3]Found Blesignac, Near Bordeaux, France, in 1916. Acquired on the European art market. From an old collection which was sold after the finder passed away. From the private collection of an East Anglian, UK, collector.
1966-1981 A.D. G. Papathanassopoulos - Neolithic and Cycladic Civilization - Athens, 1981, hardback with dustwrapper, 231 pp, line drawings, colour plates; H. Hoffmann & Patricia Davidson - Greek Gold: Jewelry from the Age of Alexander - Boston, 1966, card covers, 311 pp, monochrome plates; Hatt, Jean-Jacques - Celts and Romans - London, 1970, hardback, 333 pp, monochrome and colour plates. 3.63 kg total, 24 x 16.5 - 30.8 x 25 cm (9 1/2 x 6 1/2 - 12 x 9 3/4 in.). [3, No Reserve]Property of a North London, UK, gentleman.
Neolithic Period, circa 4th-3rd millennium B.C. or later. With rounded butt and curved edge; old collector's inked legend 'Te / St. Vincent / 07'; chipped. 93 grams, 72 mm (2 7/8 in.). [No Reserve]Found St. Vincent. Acquired in Oxford, UK. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.N162; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.
Neolithic Period, circa 6000-4500 B.P. Knapped from high quality flint; with old inked collector's label 'Thetford / Women / Sep.1864'. 21 grams, 99 mm (4 in.). [No Reserve]Found Thetford, Norfolk, England, in 1864. From the collection of G.Asquith, a local Norfolk amateur archaeologist. Acquired on the UK art market. From the private collection of an East Anglian, UK, collector.Remarkably, the blade is still very sharp and appears to have been made to be hafted and used as a knife.
Neolithic Period-Bronze Age, 3rd-2nd millennium B.C. With two bands of incised geometric ornament to the outer face, carinated rim; inked inscription to underside 'Barrow / Cranborne Chase / [..] burial'. See Grinsel, L., The Ancient Burial-mounds of England, London, 1953. 740 grams, 13 cm (5 1/8 in.). [No Reserve]Found Cranborne Chase, UK. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Neolithic Period, circa 4th-2nd millennium B.C. Tongue-shaped in profile with rounded butt and straight edge; some cortex remaining. 405 grams, 19.5 cm (7 5/8 in.). [No Reserve]Found South Downs, Sussex, UK. Acquired from Mr Edwards in November 2002. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.N160; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.
Neolithic Period, circa 4th-2nd millennium B.C. Tongue-shaped in profile and lentoid in section with straight edge and broad pointed butt. 376 grams, 17.3 cm (6 3/4 in.). [No Reserve]Found Tilemsi, Mali, Africa. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.N192; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.
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