Early-mid 14th century AD. An enormous iron longsword of Oakeshott's Type XIIIA.2 (Oakeshott, 1991, p.99), with style 2 cross and a style J pommel, with very nearly of two-hand sword proportions, fitted with a slender triangular blade with deep fuller and acute point, inlaid copper design to each face; one face showing the inscription SNGULIS; the other what seems the stylised image of a crab, but probably an omega mark; the guard is slender and pointed at the end; the long grip shows a slight taper and a strong consistent disc pommel with central inlaid, patterned like a four arm 'Templar' cross inside a circle; the point of the balance is well down towards the point, ideal for a weapon designed to deal slow, powerful slashing blows. See Oakeshott, E. Records of the Medieval Sword, Woodbridge, 1991; Nicholson, H., Knight Templar, AD 1120-1312, Oxford, 2004; Wagner, T., Worley, J., Holst Blennow, A., Beckholmen, G. 'Medieval Christian invocation inscriptions on sword blades' in Waffen- und Kostümkunde, 2009, 51(1): 11-52; Janowski A., Kurasi?ski T., Pud?o P., A sign, a symbol or a letter? Some remarks on omega marks inlaid on early medieval sword blades, in Acta Universitatis Lodziensis Folia Archaeologica 29/2012, pp. 83-110. 1.3 kg, 1.04m (41"). From an important private family collection of arms and armour; acquired on the European art market in the 1980s, and thence by descent; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This sword, belonging to the type of 'Great sword of Germany', finds an immediate parallel in the famous sword from the Thames, a river-find recovered opposite to the building of the Temple (Oakeshott, 1991, p. 99"). Similarly to this one, there is a cross inlaid in copper on the central boss, which, according to the time of finding, pushed some scholars to consider the Thames’s sword like belonging to the Templar Military Order. In our specimen the cross is bigger, and very similar to the Templar cross visible on the Templar seals, paintings, images (Nicholson, 2004, pp.29, 46"). However, as said by Oakeshott of the Thames sword, that suggestion that the cross means a the sword was owned by a Templar, is just a hypothesis, because, when these knights embellished things with crosses they tended to employ crosses in a form heraldically known as cross-crosslets, i.e. each arm of the cross has a short transverse bar at the right angles across it, just below the tip of the arm. The similarity of the cross on the pommel of our specimen with the Templar cross, can justify the attribution of the sword to a military order. From the other side, considering the cross as Christian element of protection, it can be a sign of Divine protection, as usual on the Middle Age swords. Nevertheless, the cross symbols on the swords, as well as the cross-shaped weapons were both, symbols of royal and divine power of which the sword was fitted ('potestas gladii'), items that were holy and indispensable to the noble warrior class. Swords were treasured status symbols that represented the so called 'cingulum militare' (“knighthood”): i.e. they were a tangible token of knightly awareness. A knight, awaiting the clash of arms, surely prayed with his dear sword in his hands. The chronicler Albert of Aix mentioned religious combat preparations in his 'Historia Hierosolymitana'. After the defeat of the Christians at Ramla 1102 AD, some knights took shelter in the tower of the urban fortification. Among them was Conrad, the stabularius of Emperor Henry III of Germany, a valiant and fierce champion with his sword ('…audacia et viribus incomparabilis, gladio precipuas Sarracenorum strages exercuit…' = without comparison for bravery and strength, performed a great slaughtering of the Saracens "). For three days they held out. Only then, they dared a desperate excursion 'after the name of Jesus was invoked and his grace' ('…invocato nomine Iesu et eius gratia…'"). Most probably our specimen is coming from a battlefield or, most probably, a river find. The piece is in excellent condition. The puzzling inscription on the blade, where the word SNGULIS is clearly visible, it is difficult to interpret as comparison terms are missing. It is instead more probable that the mark on the other side of the sword is representing an Omega mark, linked with the Divine symbolism of Jesus Christ as the Alpha and the Omega, i.e. the beginning and the end of everything (Janowski, Kurasi?ski, Pud?o, 2012, pp. 90-91"). Inscriptions on Medieval swords are very common and served a variety of purposes. There are four kinds of inscriptions that are found on medieval swords, runic inscriptions, symbols, religious vocations, and periodic sequences. Runic inscriptions were frequently maker's marks, but also could have been the names of the owners, makers (their name being different form their mark), donators, carriers or the name of the weapon. Having a name was rare and was likely used for gifting swords. They could have also been to remind the bearer to show bravery or been written by sorceresses to give the blade magical powers. They were clearly used by pagans, before the conversion to Christianity, but some symbolism was preserved also after and kept on the inscriptions of Christian swords. Religious vocations would have been meant to give the wielders divine favour and protection in battle. They were the 'divina dicta', i.e. sentences from the Holy Bible or Gospel invoking the help of God upon the wearer, or even divina nomina, if the initials of Our Lord or of the Mother of God were incorporated. Symbols and ornaments were likely religious. Most writing on medieval swords has religious, magical, or other protective meaning. But because writing was very uncommon at the time, any kind of lettering would have a magical connotation. Some of the inscriptions could have been enigmatic meaning to be a magical language. Therefore, the meaning of many inscriptions is unknown. Professor Marek, very kindly, suggested a possible assonance of SNGULIS with an inscription found of some swords, SIGVINAIS, although this seems not to be the most precise parallel. Fine condition. Very rare.
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Circa 1475-1480 AD. A hunting sword, dedicated to the hunt of boar and deer; on the shelled square an inlaid image of a boar (?); the point, shaped as a long facetted leaf with traces of gilding, fitted in the middle with a fuller, and showing a hole which possibly had two metallic wings attached, destined to stop the penetration of the blade inside the body of the hunted beast; the tang still covered by wooden grip, the pommel pear-shaped, while the cross-guard is straight having a central thickness for the passage of the tang. See Scalini, M., ,i>A bon droit, spade di uomini liberi, cavalieri e santi, Milano, 2007; Abbott, P., Armi: storia, tecnologia, evoluzione dalla preistoria a oggi, Milano, 2007. 1.5 kg,1.22m (48"). From an important private family collection of arms and armour; acquired on the European art market in the 1980s, and thence by descent; believed originally from Liege, Belgium; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This hunting sword is a good parallel to the famous hunting sword of King Renate d'Anjou (Scalini, 2007, p.206, cat.48), also with inlaid blade with scenes of hunters playing the horn, and various animals. Some parallel is visible also with a hunting boar sword, of Germanic origin, with triangular blade and flamed tip, fitted originally with a leather grip hilt. This kind of swords were held with a hand and half, acting as a hunting spike. The hunting boar sword (German Sauschwert) appeared at the end of the 15th century, and had in contrast to a conventional sword or hunting sword, a four-edged blade, which was flattened and ground at the bottom. At the upper end of this ground blade, there were usually two downwardly bent spikes, which prevented a too deep penetration of the blade into the body of the beast and thus keep the hunter at a safe distance. The handles correspond approximately to the shapes of the usual war swords. Except for the characteristic cutting edge and stopper attached to the blade, this special kind of sword looked similar to Estock. In fact, the boar sword was mainly based on the Estock or tuck, its broad stiffened blade being designed to withstand the power of the charging boar or other large animal. The cutting edge was a double-edged blade, and its shape was often expressed as a 'leaf-shaped' or 'ear-blade-shaped', a part wider than the blade to improve the wounding and killing of the wild boar. The longer body of the sword was not sharpened like the blade of a usual sword: being dedicated to piercing the beast's flesh, it did not require a blade for cutting, also to avoid the risk of wounding of the user. The blade was a hard rod that could withstand the boar's rush, and its cross-section was circular or polygonal, like in our specimen. Many grips were long enough to allow the weapon to be gripped with both hands. From the horse it could be used with one hand, but presence of the stopper and the length of the grip suggest that often it was used with both hands also from horseback. At the beginning of the sixteenth century, the shape of these swords was soon transformed by Italian influence, as the blades became shorter and lighter, finally becoming the hunting knife of the 17th century. Most probably our specimen is from a palace or a private household. The piece is very rare and in excellent condition. Introduced in 14th century, this special type of hunting sword was mainly used for wild boar hunting. By around 1500 it had developed its main characteristic, i.e. the facetted or leaf-shaped spear point, to which was later added, near the end of the blade, the crossbar to prevent the animal running up the length of the blade and so making difficult to retrieve. The crossbar was attached between the cutting edge and the blade to prevent the boar being pierced too deeply by the sword. If the sword stabbed deeply, there was the risk that the wild boar could have stabbed the sword's handler with a fang, and it would have been difficult to remove the sword from the boar's body after. It was necessary to devise measures so that the stopper would not get in the way when placed in the sheath. Unlike a detachable crossbar, some specimens have a rod-shaped stopper that was fixed to the blade with a mechanism that allowed the sword to be fit in the sheath. Specimens of such swords that could be rotated and spread existed, or a fold-able spring loaded with a stopper that automatically expanded when the sword was removed from the sheath. In addition to these rod-shaped stoppers, there were also disk-shaped stoppers, as seen in the hunting spears since the Roman age. While noblemen led the boar-hunt from the horse, using such weapon, the hunters, who belonged to the hunting party, often preferred the so-called winged spear, a spear-like pole-arm fitted with two wings lateral at the blades. Until around 1470, the Burgundian fashion was to hunt, by employing longer, specially shaped swords 'Gjaidschwerter'. Hunting swords from the time of Emperor Maximilian I (1508-1519) have the usual grip of swords to one and a half hand, without German-style fist-guard. Sometimes the pommel had a beak-like shape. The blade was always single-edged with an average length of 85 cm. The hunting party of the German Holy Emperor was composed by a special team, dressed with red coats, low caps and armed with such weapons, deputed to join the Emperor in the boar hunting. Fine condition. Very rare.
Circa 1330 AD. A heavy iron war mace, with hexagonal prismatic head surmounted by an iron button, the faces of the hexagon divided by lines preserving traces of gilding; mounted upon an iron staff with traces of silver, characterised by a ring of entanglement at the top and three concentric circles below. See ??????? ?.?. ???????-????????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? XIV - ?????? XV ??. // ??????????? ????? ? ??????? ? ???????? ????? ??????, ?., 1983; Head, 1984, Armies of the Middle Ages, volume 2, Worthing, 1984; Nicolle, D. Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era, 1050-1350, Islam, Eastern Europe and Asia, London 1999; Bashir, M. (ed.), The Arts of the Muslim Knight, The Furusiyya Art Foundation Collection, Milan, 2008. 1.5 kg, 45.5cm (18"). From an important private family collection of arms and armour; acquired on the European art market in the 1980s, and thence by descent; believed originally from Eastern Europe; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. The war mace belongs to the group of the eastern war maces used by the Mongol armies in 13th century. In particular it is an interesting parallel to a mace published by Gorelik (1983, pl.27, n.67), having the same hexagonal prismatic shape, dated at the 13th century AD. It is also the same kind of mace that was brandished by the Il-Kh?nid Persian-Mongol warriors (scene of the battle of Ardashir and Artavan) in the very famous manuscript Demotte Sh?hn?mah, made in ?dharbayj?n in about 1335 AD (Nicolle, 1999, figs.632J"). The mace, perhaps because of its ancient associations, acquired a legendary quality, second only to the swords in the Islamic world, and therefore also of the Ilkhanid Turco-Mongol warlike state, that with the Sultan Ghazan adhered to the Islam in 1295 AD. Amongst Mongols and Turkish warriors, the mace became a symbol of office, and maces, gilded like this one, played a role in ceremonies which significance was a mixture of religious and military elements. From a military point of view, it was an extremely effective weapon in close combat, particularly from horseback against an armoured opponent, where a heavy mace could easily damage even the thickest steel armour and crash heads and helmets at the same time (Bashir, 2008, p.235"). The Ilkhanid Empire was originally part of the Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan, its Persian branch created by Hulegu, grandson of Genghis Khan himself. Settled in Persia, the Mongols fostered the growth of cosmopolitan cities with rich courts and wealthy patrons, who encouraged the arts to flourish. At the death of Kublai Khan the Ilkhanid Khanate was de facto independent, until his dissolution in 1335 AD. The core of its army were the powerful armoured cavalrymen, of Mongol, Turkish and Iranian origin, covered with Khuyagh armour, a lamellar or laminated corselet, mainly in iron, sometimes in bronze; they wore hemispherical helmets with reinforced brow, a plume tube or a spike, and mail, lamellar or leather aventail, round shields and offensive weapons like sabres, bow and arrows and naturally war maces (Heath, 1984, pp.114-115"). Most probably our specimen is from an excavation. The piece is very rare and is in excellent condition. The mace is a type of short-arms, a weapon of impact-crushing action, consisting of a wooden or metal handle (rod) and a spherical pommel (head), which can be smooth or studded with spikes. The mace is one of the oldest types of edged weapons, a direct heir to the club, which began to be used in the Stone Age. It became widespread in the late Middle Ages, which was due to the excellent 'armour-piercing' qualities of this weapon. The mace was great for breaking through heavy armour and helmets. The heads of some maces were huge. Mace has several significant advantages over bladed weapons. Firstly, a mace (like a hammer) never got stuck in enemy armour or shield, which often happened with a sword or a spear. With the help of maces, it was possible to completely deprive the enemy of the shield, inflicting several strong blows on it. In this case, either the shield broke, or its owner received a fracture of the limb. You can also add that the blows of the mace almost never slide off. Secondly, you can learn to use a mace much faster than a sword. In addition, these weapons were relatively cheap and almost 'unkillable'. The mace has a significant advantage in comparison with the war hammer: the enemy can be beaten with either side of the weapon. The mace was an essential weapon according the Islamic Fur?s?yah during close combat, and some military treatises are devoted to this weapon (for example, the 'Kit?b Ma?rifat La?b al-Dabb?s f? Awq?t al-?ur?b wa-al-?ir?? ?alá-al-Khayl,' held in Paris, BNF MS Ar. 2830 and BNF MS Ar. 6604; Istanbul, Ayasofya MS 3186; on the fur?s?yah treatises dealing with the art of the mace, see also al-Sarraf, 'Mamluk Fur?s?yah Literature and Its Antecedents'"). The most common name for the club/mace was the Persian 'gurz' and its derivatives: garz, horz and gargaz. The written sources describe four methods of conducting battle: throwing at an enemy from a long distance: close combat at a distance proportioned to the length of the club; rotation of the mace when a warrior was surrounded by enemies; defeating the enemy in front of you. The maces or clubs with huge heads and relatively short poles were suitable for throwing. Our mace belongs to a simplified form of maces, a sort of cube-shaped tops with six cut corners transforming it in hexagon (type II"). All the specimens are in iron and date back to the 12th–14th centuries. A very widespread category of finds is made up of type II maces, mainly found in the excavations of the Southern Russian cities that were destroyed during the Tatar-Mongol invasion. They were also found in Novgorod, Moscow, and in the peasant Kostroma barrows. Usually, maces were considered to belong to the nobility, but the simpler specimens probably were widely available as weapons for ordinary soldiers, citizens and peasants. This is also supported by the simplicity and sometimes carelessness in the decoration of the maces themselves. Fine condition.
2nd century BC-1st century AD. A substantial bronze rectangular plate mount with enamel-filled cells to the face, reserved La Tène triskele and ring; enamel in red, yellow and blue; two attachment loops to the reverse and inked accession number '029-A0004'. 28 grams, 37mm (1 1/2"). Found Mashbury Parish, Essex, UK, in the 1980s; collection number 029-A0004; accompanied by a copy of the Portable Antiquities Scheme report number ESS-049E64. Very fine condition, cleaned and conserved. Rare.
3rd century BC-1st century AD. A bronze mask of elongated form with ridged hair, domed piriform eyes, straight nose, chevron mouth and ridged beard to the chin. 37 grams, 70mm (2 3/4"). Property of Mr J.D. a German collector; formerly found in Bavaria; collection number Div 36; accompanied by a copy of the German export licence. Extremely fine condition. Excessively rare.
1st century BC-1st century AD. A bronze figure of a boar sitting with forelegs straight; fur texture to the flanks and bristle ridge to the spine; mounted on a custom-made stand. 126 grams, 55mm (2"). Property of a West Yorkshire collector; previously in the Tony Goodchild collection; formerly with Chris Rudd, catalogue 58, 2001; found near Bristol, South West England, UK; accompanied by the original Chris Rudd invoice dated 14 June 2001, an original copy of catalogue 58, and copies of book plates of other similar known boar statuettes. Very fine condition. Extremely rare.
2nd millennium BC. A bronze flat axe of Migdale Type with rounded butt and flared blade, chevron hatching to both faces. Cf. Schmidt, P.K. & Burgess, C.B. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England, Prähistorische Bronzefunde, Ab. IX, vol. 7, Munich, 1981, item 205. 364 grams, 14.5cm (5 3/4"). Property of a Norfolk collector; previously in the Simon Camm collection; found near Wetwangk, Yorkshire, UK, before 2000; accompanied by a copy of a collector's information sheet. Fine condition. Very rare.
2nd millennium BC. A bronze flanged axe with rounded butt, deep flanges and mid-stop, pelta-shaped blade with sharpening ledge above the curved edge. Cf. Schmidt, P.K. & Burgess, C.B. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England, Prähistorische Bronzefunde, Ab. IX, vol. 7, Munich, 1981, item 740. 378 grams, 12.5cm (5"). Property of a Norfolk collector; previously in the Simon Camm collection; formerly with Bonhams, 13 October 2006, lot 436 [part]; previously in the private collection of the late Trevor Cairns; ex. R.T. Clough, Yorkshire, UK, in the 1960s-early 1970s; accompanied by a copy of a collector's information sheet. Fine condition, cleaned and conserved. Rare.
2nd millennium BC. A bronze kite-shaped spearhead with raised rib to each face, lozengiform midrib, lateral loops and tapering socket. Cf. Ehrenberg, M. Bronze Spearheads from Berks, Bucks and Oxon, BAR 34, Oxford, 1977, item 38. 82 grams, 15cm (5 3/4"). Property of a Norfolk collector; previously in the Simon Camm collection; formerly with Bonhams, 13 October 2006, lot 433 [part]; previously in the private collection of the late Trevor Cairns; acquired 1968-1972; believed found Northern Ireland; accompanied by a copy of a collector's information sheet. Fine condition, socket chipped. Rare.
6th century AD. A gilt-bronze bird brooch with hooked beak, looped claw, folded wing, inset garnet cloison eye; chip-carved Style I detailing to the body; pin-lug and catch to the reverse. Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme under reference HAMP-0ABB4E. 5.35 grams, 35mm (1 1/4"). Found East Meon, East Hampshire, UK; accompanied by a copy of the Portable Antiquities Scheme report number HAMP-0ABB4E. Very fine condition. Rare.
10th-12th century AD. A bronze belt-link formed as four C-shaped serpents each with extended mouth resting on the tail and loop to the rear. 6.8 grams, 40mm (1 1/2"). Part of a West London collection; formerly the property of a European gentleman living in Germany; acquired in Germany in the 1990s. [No Reserve] Very fine condition. Rare.
6th-7th century AD. A substantial flat-section gold cross with stamped triangular decorated border enclosing inscription: 'CX REX VICTVRIA'; attributed to King Agilulf; mounted on a custom-made stand. 46 grams, 70mm including stand (2 3/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire collector; formerly property of a London gentleman; acquired from a major Mayfair gallery; acquired on the London art market before 2000; accompanied by an original Oxford Labs metal analysis report number 00939-2017LJ. The inscription 'VICTURIA' and 'REX' appears on several items that belonged to Agilulf (ca. 515-616 AD), the king of the Lombards who accepted Christianity to appease his wife, Theodelinda, the widow of his predecessor King Authari. Under Agilulf, the Lombards accepted Arian Christianity; in 603, the king adopted the Roman Catholic faith and baptised his son, Adaloald. A representation of the king appears on a helmet panel from Valdinievole, now in the Bargello, Florence. Stamped decoration in the form of a triangle with three dots inside was popular among Germanic tribes, used during the Early and High Middle Ages. Very fine condition, ancient chip to top. Extremely rare.
9th-11th century AD. A substantial gold finger ring with lozengiform bezel developing from the hoop, formed from a single cast bar; the narrow ends of the bar twisted over each other; the hoop decorated with sub-triangular and pellet-in-triangle punchmarks; the bezel formed with a central boss surrounded by subtriangular and chevron punchmarks. 17.53 grams, 26mm overall (approximate size British Y, USA 12, Europe 27.51, Japan 26"). (1"). Property of a West Yorkshire collector; formerly property of a Surrey collector; previously in the old collection of Peter Stark, South West London, UK. Very fine condition. Extremely rare.
10th-11th century AD. A silver-gilt pendant with Borre-style beast and integral suspension loop with herringbone detailing; the openwork plaque with three-band pelletted border and four scrolled florid panels, internal stylised zoomorphic beast with hatched panel to the hip, gripping hands to the body and border, facing mask below the loop with textured cruciform brow panel and pellet eyes. Cf. Korshyn, V.E. Yazicheskiye Priveski Drevniye Rusi X-XIV Vekov, Moscow, 2013, items K.2.01-03. 13 grams, 37mm (1 1/2"). Property of a West Yorkshire collector; collected 1978-2008; accompanied by an original Oxford Labs metal analysis report number 00803-2017VJ. Extremely fine condition. An extremely rare and beautiful example.
6th-7th century AD. A silver-gilt buckle loop comprising a flat c-shaped plate formed as opposing birds' heads, the necks with garnet cloison inlaid designs, two rectangular and the outer pairs stepped, stamped foils to the underside; the inner edges with punched triangle ornament, repeated on the c-shaped band at the rear of the head; the birds' heads each formed as a curled beak and D-shaped head, parcel gilt, with cabochon garnet eye; the couch for the tongue placed between the beaks; the thin rear attachment bar no longer attached. 22 grams, 60mm (2 1/4"). Property of a West Yorkshire collector; formerly property of a London gentleman, acquired before 1980. Very fine condition. Extremely rare.
12th-13th century AD. A bronze mount or finial of a lion crouching on its haunches with forelegs held straight, tail curled to the middle of the back; rectangular base with gusseted rim and stud beneath. Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme under reference HAMP-080143. 145 grams, 65mm (2 1/2"). Found Greywell, South East Hampshire, UK; accompanied by a copy of the Portable Antiquities Scheme report number HAMP-080143. Very fine condition. Rare.
15th century AD. A silver-gilt bifacial pendant with addorsed grotesque masks each with gaping mouth and prominent teeth. Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme with report reference number ESS-43AB22 (identified as post-1710 in error"). 6 grams, 17mm (1/2"). Found near Chelmsford, Essex, UK, in the 1980s; collection number 021-A0051; identified as 15th century by the V&A; accompanied by a copy of Portable Antiquities Scheme report number ESS-43AB22. Extremely fine condition. Extremely rare.
13th-14th century AD. A corbel or plinth element with chamfered underside, keyed surfaces, upper face with concentric rings and hole to accept the gnomon, scale of five graduated marker lines. 11.1 kg, 21.5cm (8 1/2"). Property of a Norfolk collector; acquired on the UK art market; found South Norfolk, UK. [No Reserve] Fine condition. Very rare.
16th century AD. A wooden cuerro vessel with flared mouth, band of carved foliage to the foot below a series of rectangular panels with robed figures; red and other pigment remaining. 331 grams, 14cm (5 1/2"). Property of a Cambridgeshire lady; formerly in the Igor Karmiloff collection (1925-2016), UN economist and author of Flashbacks, Icons of Impermanence, Bloomington, 2009; acquired in the 1950s-early 1990s; accompanied by a 1980s photograph. Fine condition; split. Rare.
Jurassic Period, 200-145 million years BP. A fossil dragonfly Isophlebia aspasia in a matrix. 435 grams, 22.5cm (8 3/4"). From an old Lincolnshire collection acquired during 1980s; from the Upper Jurassic, Solnhofen Limestone of Germany. The Solnhofen limestones is a famous Lagerstätte in Germany, that offers amazing preservation of Upper Jurassic fossils. It is where one of the most famous fossils of all time, Archaeopteryx was found. Fine condition, repaired. Rare.
LONGINES. A rare gentleman's German military Longines wristwatch c.1942. The black dial with luminous Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds dial & luminous hands. Manual wind movement. The back of the case numbered DH1598. The inner case marked Longines 22188. The movement signed Longines 6402112. Case diameter approx. 32mm. The number 1598 on the back of the case, also repeated at the 11 o'clock lug. Replacement black leather strap. Note: All watches are sold as found & as entered by the vendor. It cannot be assumed by any bidder, nor can we provide a guarantee that any watch is in working order, is complete or all parts are original.
FEATHER PENDANT. A rare Victorian pendant mounted in yellow metal (18ct. gold, untested). On one side a peacock, the other a jay, of exotic hummingbird feathers mounted on mother of pearl. Each side signed J. Viller. Diameter 4cm. Note: This type of jewellery was made in Venezuela & exported to Europe in the late 19th century.
PARKER. A Parker 'Vac Band' Snr. Max fountain pen. American Parker nib. A 1937 golden pearl celluloid Vacumatic filled pen. Stamped to the barrel S. Parker. Parker Vacumatic. Made in the USA. 37 (no dot). Sold with two caps, one a rare 'Parker Vacumatic' cap band. Owner's notes: This model of Parker pen was on the front cover of the 1937 catalogue, but not inside. The spare cap has very small hairline crack.
A rare Charles II brass cased quarter striking "winged" lantern clock, the front fret engraved "Eduardus East Londini", the 6.5ins diameter silvered chapter ring with Roman and Arabic numerals and two steel hands, the centre silver alarm disc with engraved Tudor rose surrounded by brass dial engraved with tulips and leafage, to the verge movement with later anchor shaped bob pendulum oscillating between two inner plates, to the three train quarter striking movement with alarum, striking on two bells, contained in brass case with turned uprights and finials, heavy silvered metal bell, the brass framing with turned uprights, turned finials and three cast frets, the front engraved, and with later glazed winged apertures to the side doors with later pierced and engraved crestings, 15.75ins high, and with four brass cased weights for same Provenance: Sold Sotheby's, Bond Street, London - Important Clocks, Watches, Wristwatches and Barometers - Auction 13th October 1988 - Lot 191 - Noted as The property of Viscount Hereford Note: Edward East born 1602, apprentice 1618 to Richard Rogers, elected Master of the Clockmakers Company 1645 and 1652, and Watch and Clockmaker to Charles I, died 1696. This clock is thought to date to circa 1680
Fifteen limited edition Caithness glass paperweights, including - A rare Caithness glass paperweight "Celebration Streamers", designed by Sarah Peterson, limited edition No. 3 of 11, five for Peter Jones "Diamond Jubilee Prestige Garland" (No. 7 of 30), Whitefriars "Well Spotted" (No. 10 of 50), and Whitefriars "Hedgehog" (No. 23 of 50), all boxed, together with three other paperweights, various
Joseph Durham (1814-1877) - A rare suite of five brown patinated bronze figures of cricketers (from "British Sports Series") - "Waiting his Innings", depicting the reclining figure of Basil Edwin Lawrence (1853-1928) of Trinity College Cambridge, the seated figure holding a cricket bat, on oval rustic pattern base, 10ins x 5.25ins x 8.5ins high, signed and dated 1863, "Batsman", a standing figure holding a cricket bat, on circular base, 5.75ins diameter x 15ins high, "Bowler", a standing figure about to bowl, on circular base with cap at his feet, 5.75ins diameter x 15.75ins high, "Preparing to Catch", on circular base, 5.75ins diameter x 16.25ins high, signed on base, and "Preparing to Throw", on circular base, 5ins diameter x 15.25ins high, signed on base Note: Exhibited at the Royal Academy Exhibition 1864, Nos. 963, 953, 955, 961 and 964 - See Williams, Marcus and Phillips Gordon - The Wisden Book of Cricket Memorabilia, page 172, for a similar complete set, previously in the Pilkington Collection and now in Lords Cricket Museum. "Waiting his Innings" is clearly based on the life sized reclining figure of Basil Edwin Lawrence, which is now situated in the main entrance of the City of London School. Joseph Durham is probably more famously known for his gilded bronze sculpture of Prince Albert, forming the memorial outside the Royal Albert Hall. He was one of only twelve British sculptures to exhibit at the Great Exhibition of 1851
CHINA SEAS & JAPAN, Hawks, Francis L: Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, Performed in the years 1852, 1853, and 1854, Under the Command of Commodore M C Perry, United States Navy; 3 volumes. Washington, published by order of the Congress, and printed by A O P Nicholson, 1856, complete with numerous colour plates, lithographs, maps and illustration. Including the very rare suppressed lithograph of a 'nude bathing scene in a Japanese bathhouse' which is not even called for in the list of plates. 4to. PP: V1- xviii, 537,+90 plates; V2- (iv), 414, (iv), 14pp facsimile of the treaty in Japanese, xi (index), (i) blank, (i) list of charts, + 43 plates and 17 charts on 16 large folding pages; V3- xliii, 705 (including 351 Zodiac plates). Original embossed cloth, recased; Ex-Libra set with few stamps (but no stamps on the plates); covers rubbed and with faint numbering (3) lacking 2 maps
A good collection of x18 assorted antique and vintage Scottish Regiment related uniform cap badges. Includes; x4 The Royal Highlanders / Black Watch cap badges (various dates), Cameron Highlanders, Argyll & Sutherland, Glasgow Highlanders, The Royal Scots (4th, 6th & 8th Volunteer Battalions) and others. Interesting collection. Each loose-mounted onto a display card - all with pin-and-lug backs, no sliders. Rare. Note: from an incredible large private collection of military cap badges - the majority of which are genuine period examples. Some restrikes and replicas will be present, and buyers are reminded to satisfy themselves as to individual lots prior to bidding, irrespective of description.
A rare original Presentation of Colours by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the 4th Uganda Battalion The King's African Rifles Kampala 29th April 1954 printed by the Government Printer Entebbe. Along with the matching invitation summons request of Mr F G Stokes by the Governor Of Uganda and a Uganda Protectorate Programme of Events and some other related ephemera. Great collection.
An incredible collection of assorted period original British Army uniform cap badge helmet plates and centres. Includes centres for the following regiments: Norfolk, Suffolk, Duke Of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Devonshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Somersetshire, Shropshire, The Yorkshire Light Infantry, York & Lancaster, Gloucestershire, Norfolk and Loyal North Lancashire. Includes two helmet plates, and a rare centre badge for The Border Regiment. All neatly loose-mounted on display boards (x3 boards). A rare and interesting collection. Note: from an incredible large private collection of military cap badges - the majority of which are genuine period examples. Some restrikes and replicas will be present, and buyers are reminded to satisfy themselves as to individual lots prior to bidding, irrespective of description.
An interesting local interest WWII Second World War and Bristol Constabulary Police medal group - awarded to an Albert E. Charles. Comprising; France & Germany Star, War Medal, Defence Medal, General Service Medal (296250 Corporal AE Charles ' LG ') and his QEII For Exemplary Police Service medal. All with original ribbons, mounted on bar. Along with x2 of Charles' Bristol Constabulary helmet badges and two whistles. A rare and interesting local collection. Consigned from family.NOTE: Albert's son's WWI First World War medals can be found in the previous lot, Lot 219.
An original WWI First World War Memorial Plaque / Death Penny medal named to a ' William Frankham ', of Bristol - one time Bristol Rovers Football player / footballer. Supplied within its original card envelope, and accompanied by a photograph of Frankham in uniform. Accompanying the plaque is a post-WWI newspaper cutting, the first paragraph of which details 'the late W. Frankham who later played for Bristol East & Bristol Rovers...'. A rare and important part of WWI First World War Bristol related footballing history.
A rare Rockingham square basket with leaf moulded corners and rustic crossed-twig handle. Green ground, gilded and painted with a titled landscape vignette New Church Brighton. Printed puce griffin mark, script title in red c.1830-42, 29.25cm wide.Condition report intended as a guide only.Old repair to the corner of one leaf.
A rare Caughley mustard spoon. Painted in underglaze blue with a flower sprig to the bowl and a symmetrical scroll design to the handle c.1780, 10.25cm. Notes; Cf. Geoffrey Godden, Caughley & Worcester, plate 214 p.279 for a matching waster from the factory site.Condition report intended as a guide only.No damage or repair. Good condition.
A rare large Rockingham bulbous scent bottle with flower formed stopper. Applied to the entire body with small raised flower heads, further adorned with trailing leaves and tendrils nationalistically coloured in enamels and a further ring of trailing flowers to the neck. Printed puce griffin mark c.1830-42, 16cm. Notes; the modellers fingerprints can be observed in the underside of the stoppers petals.Condition report intended as a guide only.Some loss to the applied work. Raised neck repaired.
A Rockingham pen tray with C-scroll moulding and curved acanthus handles. Edged in gilt, having rare turquoise ground and enamelled with flowers. Printed puce griffin mark and Cl 3 in gilt c.1830-42, 27.5cm wide. Provenance; Newmane collection.Condition report intended as a guide only.Two rim cracks and a hair crack in the well.
A rare Rockingham pastille burner and cover of Neo-Classical style with simple gilt decoration. Having flame finial, gadrooned rim, moulded to the body with four curved acanthus leaves and raised on paw feet. Unmarked c.1830-42, 18.5cm.Condition report intended as a guide only.Chipping to the finial. Gilt wear.
A rare Rockingham miniature helmet shaped basket. With arched handle moulded with acanthus leaves and gilded. Containing moulded fruit and flowers coloured in enamels and further ornamented with shredded clay. Unmarked c.1830-42, 6.75cm.Condition report intended as a guide only.Handle restored.
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