4th-2nd century BC. A limestone cylinder seal with standing figures; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Brown/Grey Stone, 15 x 9.5 mm. The design consists of three standing figures, two naked, one clothed, with filling items between them. This is a late cylinder, from the Hellenistic period, c. 350-100 B.C., of a rare type.' 1.61 grams, 15mm (1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; part of his family collection since the 1970s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition. Rare.
We found 209761 price guide item(s) matching your search
There are 209761 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribe- List
- Grid
-
209761 item(s)/page
9th-12th century AD. A sheet-bronze model tower oil lamp base, square in plan with bands of repoussé roundels to the base, rectangular windows below an arcade with roundels; mounted on a custom-made stand. 288 grams, 12cm including stand (4 3/4"). Ex German collection; acquired 1980s. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate. Fine condition, upper edge chipped. Very rare.
18th-19th century AD. A gold ring with thin shank, scrolling palmettes at the shoulder; domed and hinged bezel that opens to reveal a silver skull with diamonds set into the eyes, skull surrounded by turquoise beads. 4.03 grams, 18.89mm overall, 17.74mm internal diameter (approximate ring size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/2, Europe 15.76, Japan 15"). (3/4"). Property of a Birmingham lady. Very fine condition. Very rare.
A highly unusual tray carved from a carnelian geode intergrown with fortification agate, the carnelian dark red and banded, the agate in multi-coloured bands and swirls, from Brazil. 1.16 kg, 21.5cm (8 1/2"). From Brazil; from the historic ‘Victorian Museum’ and later collection of Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's); formerly Gregory, Bottley & Co. (1932-1981"). and previously J. R. Gregory & Co. (1898-1932); originally James Reynolds Gregory (1858-1898). This item has recently been reviewed by leading geological expert Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. See Bonewitz, Dr. Ronald Louis, Rocks & Minerals, 2008, p.230-231. The firm Gregory, Bottley and Lloyd (Gregory's), was acquired by TimeLine Auctions in 2016. London-born James Reynolds Gregory (1832-1899"). founded the company, which is the second longest-running gem and fossil dealership in the world. James was educated at Archbishop Tennison's School, and afterward found employment in a jewellery company on Regent Street. In 1858 he established his own business in King William Street. A few years later he moved to ‘very extensive premises’ in Golden Square, Soho. He was one of the best known dealers in London, exhibiting at major commercial shows throughout the world and winning awards for excellence in Paris in 1867, Sydney in 1879 and London in 1862, 1883 and 1884. James primarily bought his stock at auction, from collectors and other dealers, and supplied many major collectors and scientists of his day. He built superb personal collections, a selection going to the British Museum. He wrote many papers and was a member of several learned societies including the Society of Arts. The business became known as J.R. Gregory & Company in 1896, still under James' management with the assistance of his son Albert Gregory (b.1864). When James died three years later, the business passed to Albert. At the end of the 19th century most London dealers had folded or retired, many selling out to J.R. Gregory & Co. Albert continued by acquiring Russell and Shaw (Est. 1848"). in 1925 and Francis H. Butler (Est. 1884"). in 1927. Percy Bottley (1904-1980"). took over the company in 1931, renaming it Gregory, Bottley & Company with respect to his predecessors. Percy’s company survived the 2nd World War by buying out all of its competitors, including the supplier to Pitt-Rivers, Samuel Henson (Est. 1840"). and G.H. Richards (Est. 1897"). in 1936. Percy also added many important collections to his stock including those of Rev. F. Holmes in 1940, and the Graves collection in 1943. Following Percy's death in 1981, the business was sold to Brian Lloyd, whereupon it became Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd. Brian had been Sotheby’s main Natural History expert in the 1960s and 1970s, and subsequently traded from Pall Mall. The business continued to thrive, and Brian purchased the Joseph Neeld (1789-1856"). collection in 1974 and the historic gold collection of H.S. Gordon, first exhibited at the Empire Exhibition, South Africa in 1936. Brian moved the business to 12-13 Rickett Street in 1982, and to 13 Seagrave Road in 1993. He carried on the company's specialization in historic collections, most recently acquiring that of Robert Ferguson (1767-1840"). in 2000. The business moved to Walmer in Kent in 2008, and was acquired by TimeLine in April 2016. Trading History Est. 1858 (59 Frith Street, Soho"). 1859 - 1861 (3 King William Street, Strand). 1862 - 1866 (25 Golden Square, Covent Garden"). 1866 - 1874 (15 Russell Street, Covent Garden"). 1874 - 1895 (88 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square"). 1896 - 1906 (1 Kelso Place, Kensington"). 1907 - 1926 (139 Fulham Road, Chelsea"). 1926 - 1981 (30 (Old). Church Street, Chelsea"). 1982 - 1993 (12-13 Rickett Street, Fulham"). 1993 - 2007 (13 Seagrave Road, Fulham"). 2008 - 2015 (59 Liverpool Road, Walmer, Kent"). 2016 - (363 Main Road, Harwich, Essex"). Extremely fine condition. Rare and unusual. One of a kind. [No Reserve]
10th-12th century AD. A hand-forged iron firesteel with rectangular-section shank returned at one end and looped; above the shank a panel of meander-pattern flat-section rod and frame. 75 grams, 12cm (4 3/4"). Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. Cf. Arbman, H. Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, plate 144, items 3a, 3b for type. Very fine condition. Rare.
14th-15th century AD. A gusseted gold hoop with with median band of foliage, discoid bezel with intaglio design of a castle gate tower with chain links surrounding, crescent moon and sun above, key below and blackletter 'caritas' (virtue"). legend. 16 grams, 22mm overall, 18.86mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.0, Japan 18"). (1"). Property of a German gentleman; acquired before 2000. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate. Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate. The Latin term for charity (virtue), one of the three theological virtues. Extremely fine condition. Very rare. A large wearable size.
13th-15th century AD. A cast gilt-bronze horse hareness pendant with pierced lug suspension loop above, bird with extended feet and tail, feather detailing. 6.72 grams, 26mm (1"). Found Lincolnshire, UK. Hammond, B. Benet's Medieval Artefacts of England & The United Kingdom, Witham, 2015, p.224, item HP-26422. Fine condition. A rare type.
19th century AD. With suspension loop and ribbon. Obv: cross with white enamel to arms; central roundel with black/orange enamelled Imperial eagle. Rev: white enamel to arms; central roundel with CT monogram in black on white enamel. 9.40 grams. Extremely fine; small enamel chip to one arm to reverse. Very rare.
6th-7th century AD. A flat-section rectangular mount with recessed panel and knotwork motif, ribbed collar and Style II profile raven-head, tip of beak absent, with band to the brow and pellet eye with c-shaped surround; remains of stud to the reverse. 5.17 grams, 34mm (1 1/2"). Found Cambridgeshire, UK; 2015. See discussion of bird of prey images used as amuletic shield mounts in Dickinson, T.M. Symbols of Protection: The Significance of Animal-ornamented Shields in Early Anglo-Saxon England in Medieval Archaeology vol.49, 2005. Very fine condition. Rare.
351-352 AD. Lugdunum mint. Obv: D N MAGNENTIVS P F AVG legend with bare draped and cuirassed bust right with 'A' behind. Rev: VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE legend with two Victories standing, holding wreath encircling VOT / V / MVLT / X in four lines with SP below; mintmark RPLG in exergue. 5.17 grams. RIC 145-146; Sear 18820. Good fine. Rare. [No Reserve]
16th century AD. A posy ring with rectangular-section hoop in the form of a buckled belt with looped end tie and chape with double-bowed and pinned buckle, the outer face inscribed '+HOPE * IS * MI HOLDE' in Roman capitals and continuing 'TILL * HAP * SHALL * HELPE' on the internal surface. 2.76 grams, 19.17mm overall, 16.63mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6 1/4, Europe 12.34, Japan 12"). (3/4"). Found Hursley, Hampshire, UK, 26 August 2012. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate. See Portable Antiquities Scheme, reference GLO-244613 and Treasure Act, reference 2009 T135 for a similar example. Recorded with Portable Antiquities Scheme, reference HAMP-62C152, with printout of record; disclaimed under the Treasure Act, reference 2012 T805, with copies of correspondence. The inscription is somewhat enigmatic and does not seem to have been previously recorded for a posy ring; the form of the buckle and the knopped chape are typical of examples seen, often in base metal, from the late Medieval to 16th century AD period. Very fine condition. Rare.
1st century AD. A bronze phalera military mount comprising a discoid plaque with incised concentric lines and three studs with rosette detailing, central stepped boss. 25 grams, 51mm (2"). Found Bedfordshire, UK. Cf. Chapman, E.M. A Catalogue of Roman Military Equipment in the National Museum of Wales, BAR British Series no.388, Oxford, 2005, item Tc06. Harness fittings of the auxiliary and legionary cavalry of the early Imperial period are believed to be heavily influenced by Celtic equipment. The main harness consisted of five junctions which, along with the girth, served to hold the saddle firmly in place and combined both functional and decorative elements. The junctions consisted of a cast ring with strap ends that were decorated in mould relief and often had pendants hanging from them. During the reign of Claudius (41-54 Ad). a new type of junction came into favour utilising concealed loops behind discs known as phalerae which could be plain or, more often, heavily decorated and often had pendants hanging from them. Phalerae were also incorporated into the uniform of the soldiers where they held leather straps in place on the armour. Very fine condition. Rare.
15th-16th century AD. A large bronze vesica-shaped seal matrix with intaglio design representing Christ rising from the tomb flanked by angels with a sleeping guard beneath; the inscription to the border in blackletter script reading 'Sigillum Sainte Suiulm [ ] [ ] [ ] S Austr' with pierced rib to the reverse. 49 grams, 57mm (2 1/4"). Found Leicestershire, UK. Hammond, B. Benet's Medieval Artefacts of England & The United Kingdom, Witham, 2015, p.377, item BS-44449. Fine condition. Very rare.
93-83 BC. Antioch mint. Obv: diademed head of Philip right. Rev: BASILEWS FILIPPOY EPIFANOYS FILADELFOY legend in four lines downwards to right and left of Zeus seated left, holding Nike and sceptre; scripted WB-like monogram over OAI monogram in lower left field, delta I monogram beneath throne, AN in exergue. 14.01 grams. Newell, The Seleucid Mint of Antioch, 457; Paris 1553; Hoover HGC 1319. See Wildwinds.com (this coin). Very fine. Rare monogram. [No Reserve]
25 BC-5 AD. Obv: plain with shallow band across centre. Rev: horse leaping right with bucranium and pellets above, serpent and pellets below and pellet-in-annulet above head, behind and below, with DVBNOVALLAVNOS around. 5.51 grams. S. 177; BMC 2492-2496; ABC 303. Good very fine. Very rare.
1074-1077 AD. BMC type V. Obv: facing bust with star each side with +PILLEM REX ANI legend. Rev: cross over quadrilateral with annulet at centre with +EADRIEDONHIÐ legend for the moneyer Eadred at Hythe mint. 1.22 grams. Found Burmarsh, Kent, UK, 2015. S. 1254; N. 845. See Portable Antiquities Scheme, reference PAS KENT-D697ED (this coin). Very fine; cracked at inner circle. Extremely rare.
1422-1430 AD. Obv: shield with lis above within tressure with trefoils on cusps with HENRIC DI GRA REX ANGL legend with small lis after HENRIC and trefoil stops with 'small lis' mintmark. Rev: floriate cross with lis at ends and lion-over-trefoil in angles with lis at centre, within tressure with EXALTABITVR IN GLORIA legend with cinquefoil-in-annulet stop before IN and annulet after and 'large lis' mintmark. 1.70 grams. S. 1810 variant (obverse mintmark); N. 1420 variant (ditto); see Stewartby p.322 for description of this mule variant. The early annulet issue coins were issued at the end of the reign of Henry V, with early dies using the 'small lis' obverse mintmark. Good very fine. Very rare.
11th-12th century AD. An iron axehead with curved blade and spur to the inner edge; lateral flanges and extended panel to the rear of the socket. 379 grams, 15cm (6"). Property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. Cf. Sedov, B.B. Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate 5, item 17. Extremely fine condition, conserved. Rare.
13th century AD. A gold heater-shaped mount with scooped upper edge, ten parallel angled beaded-wire bars to the reverse forming heraldic 'bendy' field; mounted in a custom-made frame viewable from both sides; supplied with a folder of research notes and print-outs relating to the career of Peter de Montfort and to the badge. 185 grams, 10 x 10cm including display case (4 x 4"). Ex Pulley collection, UK; found Northamptonshire 1977, and reported to Mr Robert Moore of Northampton Guildhall Museum and returned to the finder. The arms of 'Bendy of eight or and azure' are attributed to Peter de Montfort in the Dering Roll of circa 1270 AD. The badge cannot be attributed to de Montfort with absolute certainty because the colour of the underlying (fabric). field cannot be known, but arms with gold diagonal bars are rare in England and de Montfort is the only notable family bearing such. The format of the shield with scooped upper edge is unknown in the 13th century (it is absent from the Dering Roll for example"). but does appear later in the medieval period. Very fine condition. Extremely rare.
![1154-1158 AD. BMC type VII.Obv: three quarter facing bust with sceptre and +ST[IE]F[N]E legend. Rev: voided cross in quatrefo](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/76849b5f-c114-43d4-9250-a64a012b8ae9/3f5aa17d-0f4c-431b-a1e3-c3526de9e7ec/468x382.jpg)
1154-1158 AD. BMC type VII.Obv: three quarter facing bust with sceptre and +ST[IE]F[N]E legend. Rev: voided cross in quatrefoil with fleurs and +HVEO:ON:PINC[ ] legend for the moneyer Hue at Winchester mint. 1.36 grams. Ex CNG auction 373, lot 627, with auction ticket. S. 1282; N. 881; Harvey 2263a (dies A/b); see Allen, English, 287 (this coin). Near as struck for issue; once bent and straightened, flan cracked. Very rare; three recorded for this moneyer.
253-268 AD. Antioch mint, Valerian and Gallienus facing each other reverse; Rome mint, Sol standing left, holding globe and raising right hand reverse; Antioch mint, Sol standing left, holding whip and raising right hand reverse; SPQR mintmark in exergue; Rome mint; Abundantia standing right, emptying cornucopia reverse. 13.66 grams total. RIC V-1, Antioch 456 (J): Goebl 1682m; Sear 10420/RIC V-1 (sole reign), Rome 160; Goebl 0577a; Sear -/RIC V-1 (sole reign), Asian mint 640/RIC V-1 157 Rome (sole reign"). variant (bust type); Goebl 0574w Rome; Sear 10164. See Wildwinds.com (last coin). Extremely fine. Third and fourth rare. [4]
11th-12th century AD. A pair of carved stone stylised crouching lion statues each with rounded head and broad gaping mouth, raised D-shaped eyes, mane of longitudinal stripes and similar to the legs, scales to the body and rump, tail curled along the flank; Southern France or Spain. 213 kg total, 90-93cm (35 1/2 - 36 1/2"). Property of a London, UK, collection; acquired on the UK art market, 1970-1990. Fine condition; chip to head and rump of one lion; very rare. [2]
6th-7th century AD. A terracotta plaque depicting a recumbent naked female with crown, bangles to the shoulders, ankles and wrists; aum symbol to the midriff, yoni held open, sphere between the legs. 1.8 kg, 28cm (11"). From a private UK collection; acquired before 1980. See Nagar, S. Yogini Shrines and Shaktipithas, Delhi, 2006, for a discussion on the Shakti cult in India. The worship of the goddess in India can be traced back to the Indus civilization and remains an important part of Hinduism today. The goddess is the central figure of the Shakti cult, known as Shaktism or Shaktidharma, meaning 'doctrine of power,' in which the goddess takes the central role as the absolute, ultimate Godhead. It is, along with Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Smartism, one of the primary schools of devotional Hinduism and is especially popular in Bengal and Assam. The goddess takes many forms and names but is known under the generic term Devi, meaning goddess, and derived from the Indo-European word Div meaning 'the shining one' from which the word divinity is derived. Shaktism regards Devi as the supreme deity, with all other forms of divinity, considered to be merely her diverse manifestations. She is both the creator, preserver and destroyer of life and at the end of time the universe is taken back into her body to be re-created. She is closely associated with fertility and nature and is particularly popular in rural communities where she is the fierce protector of villages from malevolent forces. The goddess takes many forms, either as the Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity and consort of Vishnu, or Parvati, the consort of Shiva. As an independent deity in her own right she takes on the forms of Durga and Kali, both of which are the primary objects of worship for the Shakta devotee. Shaktism is closely related with Tantric Hinduism, which teaches rituals and practices for purification of the mind and body. Fine condition. Rare.
Dated 1803 AD. Obv: crown over double-headed eagle with ? - ? at sides and ?????? ????? legend and date. Rev: crown over ??????? / ???????? / ?????????? / ?????? / ????? legend in four lines with ? ? ? below, within wreath. Edge: with raised inscription. 20.66 grams. KM# C# 123. Very fine. Rare.
Circa 450 BC. Obv: head of Apollo facing. Rev: anchor (right way up, hooks below), A on right, crayfish on left; uncertain magistrate's initials at far right. 1.32 grams. SNG BMC Black Sea -; Sear -; SNG Cop -; Tachella -; Traité -; possibly an unpublished variety - this reverse is usually seen with the head of a gorgoneion or Apollo facing right on the obverse. See Wildwinds.com (this coin). Good very fine. Rare. [No Reserve]
Awarded 3 January 1940. With red ribbon on silver bar suspender, threaded screw back and circular nut with ??????? in raised lettering. Obv: five-pointed star. Rev: with ????? ???? in two lines and numbered 247 above. 32.32 grams. See Hero of Soviet Union medal register (Russian and English printouts included, giving details of the recipient). Near extremely fine; few surface marks from wearing. Very rare and a very early issue number.
15th century AD. A large figural harness pendant of irregular shape depicting a robed knight left and a wimpoled lady right, standing facing at sides, holding between them a crested shield of arms bearing the crowned black letter 'n' with black letter inscribed scroll over; two rosettes below the arms with seated lions statant guardent at base; with suspension loop. 47.79 grams, 75mm (3"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. Fine condition. Rare.
1467-1468 AD. First reign, light coinage, Coventry mint. Obv: half figure of king in ship with sword and shield with rose on side of ship and 'C' in waves with +EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS I B legend and no mintmark. Rev: rose over sun with crowned lions and fleurs within tressure with IHC AVT TRANSIENS PER MEDIVM ILLORVM I BAT legend with 'sun' mintmark; small X incised to field on both sides. 7.75 grams. Found Ashford, Kent, UK, 2016. S. 1955; N. 1551; Fr. 132; SCBI 47, 421 (different dies). The ryal was introduced being current at ten shillings; it seems likely that the small X's incised each side of this coin were intended as a reminder to the owner of the face value (the noble having been worth six shillings and eight pence); the noble was directly replaced at the same time by the angel at the same face value. Near extremely fine; lightly clipped to part of edge. Very rare.
Circa 2700 BC. A ceramic figurine of a standing male with large lentoid eyes, large nose and incised eyebrow; wearing a cape(?), large applied necklace, belt and an ankle bracelet to each leg, possibly representing trousers. 35 grams, 11cm (4 1/4"). Ex South London collection; acquired in the late 1990s. Fine condition. Rare.
978-979 AD. BMC type I. Obv: profile bust left with three pellets before and +ÆÐELRED REX ANGLOR legend. Rev: small cross with +PVLERYDM-OLVNDE legend for the moneyer Wulfred at London mint. 1.60 grams. Found near Hull, East Yorkshire, UK, 2015. S. 1143; N. 764; see Hildebrand 2980 for same type and reverse legend. See Early Medieval Corpus, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, reference 2016.XXXX (this coin). Very fine; slight weakness in legends. Extremely rare; only three of the type recorded in EMC/SCBI.
17th century AD. A D-section hoop with moulded skull and rosette shoulders with black enamel detailing supporting a knopped quatrefoil bezel depicting a three-quarter facing skull in white and black enamel against a black field with a circular surround showing the Roman capital 'BEHOLD THE ENDE' inscription inlaid in black enamel; the outline of the quatrefoil and cross detailing to the knops also inlaid. 6.89 grams, 23.36mm overall, 20.06mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10¼, Europe 22.75, Japan 21"). (1"). Property of a Surrey lady; acquired by her grandfather in the late 1970s as part of a small collection acquired from Cheshire. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate. Cf. Dalton, O. M., Franks Bequest: Catalogue of the Finger Rings, British Museum, London, 1912, no.1450 for a similar example. Very fine condition; slight loss of enamel. Very rare.
1295-1320 AD. Constantinople mint. Obv: no legend, bust of Mary facing, both hands raised, within city walls with six groups of towers. Rev: IC-XC at upper left and right and a semi-garbled legend to left and right of Andronicus on the left and Michael on the right, kneeling to left and right of Christ, who crowns them. 2.75 grams. Sear 2396; Ashmolean 702-753. Very fine. Rare.
6th century AD. A bronze cruciform brooch of the later 'florid' form with highly decorative openwork border to the headplate formed as a rectangular median plate with lateral wings, enhanced with punched-pellet detail to the sides and top edge of each; raised central square panel; to the middle of each edge a Style I human mask in plan, formed as a T-shaped brow-and-nasal with two pellet eyes, with pairs of Style I profile bird-heads with curved beaks; the bow deep with facetting at each end; the footplate rectangular with Style I lappets and punched-pellet border; the transverse collar with two rows of punched-pellet detail; the finial a Style I human mask with two columns of punched-pellet detail extending to the peltoid terminal; the overall decorative effect forming a triangular band of Style I openwork ornament broken only at the bow and terminal; to the reverse pin-lugs, ferrous stain from the pin and base of the catchplate. 112 grams, 12.5cm (5"). Extremely fine condition. Extremely rare. Found Suffolk, UK. Published in Hammond, B. British Artefacts vol.1 - Early Anglo-Saxon, Witham, 2009, fig.1.1.4.1-l. Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate. The staring male face on the footplate, with fierce eyes and prominent moustache, probably represents a divinity such as the thunder-god, Thunor (later Thor). The god of thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protector of mankind, and also hallowing, healing and fertility, probably has his origins in the pre-Roman Germanic religion, where a god with similar attributes, but whose name is not known to us, is identified with Hercules by the Romans. During the Migration Period a deity under the name of Donar appears on jewellery and inscriptions, and Christian chronicles speak of a sacred oak tree of Donar in Germany that was felled by missionary, Saint Boniface. It is in the Viking Period that Thor becomes the pre-eminent deity of the Scandinavian countries. He had the central place at the great temple in Uppsala, Sweden, with Odin and Freyr to either side of him. His main symbol is the hammer, which is likely to be derived from the club of Donar. The raven is sacred to Odin and their presence on this brooch was possibly to evoke the protection of both gods.
1st-2nd century AD. A hollow-formed bronze lamp formed as a porpoise, with arched back and ribbed tail; loop handle beneath the tail, filler hole to the abdomen and nozzle beneath the mouth; two lateral fins pierced for suspension. 163 grams, 13.5cm (5 1/4"). Fine condition. Extremely rare. Acquired on the London art market prior to 1980. See Bailey, D.M. A Catalogue of the Lamps in the British Museum. IV. Lamps of Metal and Stone, London, 1988, item Q3591 for discussion.
1st century BC. Obv: wreath design with hidden face. Rev: triple-tailed horse right with beaded mane with pellet sun above, pellet-in-annulet before and sideways S over crescent below. 1.27 grams. S. 48 variant. BMC 489-494 variant (symbols below horse); ABC 500 variant (ditto). Chris Rudd (ABc). lists these uninscribed quarter staters to the 'Regini and Atrebates'. Good very fine. Extremely rare variant.
Mid-17th century AD. A pair of carved bone scales for the handle of a knife, each with upper and lower bands with pellets, reserved stylised heater shield with cross of St. George. 25 grams total, 74mm (3"). Found on the Thames foreshore; 1990s. See discussion in Ritchie, C.I.A., Bone and Horn Carving: A Pictorial History, New Jersey, 1975. Fine condition, usage wear. Rare. [2]
21st century BC. A marble cylinder seal with figures; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Pink Marble, 29.5 x 16.5 mm. On the right is a god seated on an angular throne, wearing a long flounced robe, a horned tiara, and holding up in one hand an overflowing vase. Facing him is a goddess in a long robe falling in creases. She raises one hand and with the other grips the wrist of a worshipper standing behind her. He raises one hand. A vertical fringe of his garment hangs down in front of him. This is a seal of the Ur III Dynasty, c. 2050-2000 B.C. It is large for the period and in an unusual stone.' 14.92 grams, 29mm (1 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; part of his family collection since the 1970s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition. Rare.
1st millennium BC. A clay mask of a male with short hair, heavy brow, pieced eyes, open mouth and beard; large ears and with suspension hole to the back of head. 404 grams, 13.5cm (5 1/4"). Property of a German gentleman; acquired 1980-1990. Terracotta masks and protomes form a rare category of Phoenician art that spans the Late Bronze Age through the first millennium BC without major chronological gaps. Most masks, and some protomes, have suspension holes at the top or along the sides. Masks dating to the Late Bronze Age are found at Hazor, Beth Shean and Gezer. By the seventh century BC some Levantine masks began to copy Greek attributes. There are Greek parallels for these masks, especially at the sanctuary of Artemis Ortheia in Sparta. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
A parallel growth specimen of three transparent, vividly coloured, scalenohedral rhodochrosite crystals, from South Africa, in old white card tray with old Gregory, Bottley and Lloyd label reading: 'RHODOCHROSITE, N'Chwaning, Kalahari Manganese Field, Cape Province, South Africa'. 4,32 grams, 20mm (3/4"). From Cape Province, South Africa; from the historic ‘Victorian Museum’ collection of Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's); formerly Gregory, Bottley & Co. (1932-1981"). and previously J. R. Gregory & Co. (1898-1932); originally 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. See Bonewitz, Dr. Ronald Louis, Rocks & Minerals, 2008, p.179. The firm Gregory, Bottley and Lloyd (Gregory's), was acquired by TimeLine Auctions in 2016. London-born James Reynolds Gregory (1832-1899"). founded the company, which is the second longest-running gem and fossil dealership in the world. James was educated at Archbishop Tennison's School, and afterward found employment in a jewellery company on Regent Street. In 1858 he established his own business in King William Street. A few years later he moved to ‘very extensive premises’ in Golden Square, Soho. He was one of the best known dealers in London, exhibiting at major commercial shows throughout the world and winning awards for excellence in Paris in 1867, Sydney in 1879 and London in 1862, 1883 and 1884. James primarily bought his stock at auction, from collectors and other dealers, and supplied many major collectors and scientists of his day. He built superb personal collections, a selection going to the British Museum. He wrote many papers and was a member of several learned societies including the Society of Arts. The business became known as J.R. Gregory & Company in 1896, still under James' management with the assistance of his son Albert Gregory (b.1864). When James died three years later, the business passed to Albert. At the end of the 19th century most London dealers had folded or retired, many selling out to J.R. Gregory & Co. Albert continued by acquiring Russell and Shaw (Est. 1848"). in 1925 and Francis H. Butler (Est. 1884"). in 1927. Percy Bottley (1904-1980"). took over the company in 1931, renaming it Gregory, Bottley & Company with respect to his predecessors. Percy’s company survived the 2nd World War by buying out all of its competitors, including the supplier to Pitt-Rivers, Samuel Henson (Est. 1840"). and G.H. Richards (Est. 1897"). in 1936. Percy also added many important collections to his stock including those of Rev. F. Holmes in 1940, and the Graves collection in 1943. Following Percy's death in 1981, the business was sold to Brian Lloyd, whereupon it became Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd. Brian had been Sotheby’s main Natural History expert in the 1960s and 1970s, and subsequently traded from Pall Mall. The business continued to thrive, and Brian purchased the Joseph Neeld (1789-1856"). collection in 1974 and the historic gold collection of H.S. Gordon, first exhibited at the Empire Exhibition, South Africa in 1936. Brian moved the business to 12-13 Rickett Street in 1982, and to 13 Seagrave Road in 1993. He carried on the company's specialization in historic collections, most recently acquiring that of Robert Ferguson (1767-1840"). in 2000. The business moved to Walmer in Kent in 2008, and was acquired by TimeLine in April 2016. Trading History Est. 1858 (59 Frith Street, Soho"). 1859 - 1861 (3 King William Street, Strand). 1862 - 1866 (25 Golden Square, Covent Garden"). 1866 - 1874 (15 Russell Street, Covent Garden"). 1874 - 1895 (88 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square"). 1896 - 1906 (1 Kelso Place, Kensington"). 1907 - 1926 (139 Fulham Road, Chelsea"). 1926 - 1981 (30 (Old). Church Street, Chelsea"). 1982 - 1993 (12-13 Rickett Street, Fulham"). 1993 - 2007 (13 Seagrave Road, Fulham"). 2008 - 2015 (59 Liverpool Road, Walmer, Kent"). 2016 - (363 Main Road, Harwich, Essex"). Extremely fine condition. Extremely rare in this clarity and crystal form.
4th-5th century AD. A silver parcel-gilt military belt suite comprising: three articulating rectangular panels, each with a beaded border and four attachment lugs to the reverse, central rectangular plaque with low-relief image: an ithyphallic faun (Pan"). with stick and pan-pipes; a facing Bacchus (Dionysus"). with thyrsus and raised horn, lion at his feet and wine jug; a dancing maenad with pipes and swirling drapery; each in a pointillé tendril and leaf frame; buckle loop formed as a pair of opposed gilt lion-heads on textured curved necks, the tongue formed as a rectangular block with geometric ornament, protruding tail and flanking curved legs terminating in gilt claws. 256 grams, 21cm (8 1/4"). Very fine condition. Extremely rare. Property of a London gentleman, acquired in 1980s from a European professional; acquired by him from Countess Ellendorf, Munich, in 1970s. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate. Accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate. Bacchus was the Roman name for the Greek deity Dionysus, a god who originally came from Thrace. He was closely associated with wine, fertility and the harvest, as well as being patron god of theatres and actors. A mystery cult developed around him that was extremely popular in the Greek and Roman periods, but which was viewed with suspicion by the authorities for its bending of social conventions. The mystery cults were based on sacred stories that often involved the ritual re-enactment of a death-rebirth myth of a particular divinity. In addition to the promise of a better afterlife, mystery cults fostered social bonds among the participants, called mystai. The followers of Dionysus derived many of their eschatological beliefs and ritual prescriptions from Orphic literature, a corpus of theogonic poems and hymns. The mythical Thracian poet Orpheus, the archetypical musician, theologian, and mystagogue, was credited with the introduction of the mysteries into the Greek world. References by Herodotus and Euripides attest to the existence of certain Bacchic-Orphic beliefs and practices: itinerant religion specialists and purveyors of secret knowledge, called Orpheotelestai, performed the teletai, private rites for the remission of sins. For the Orphics, Dionysus was a saviour god with redeeming qualities. He was the son of Zeus and Persephone and successor to his throne. When the Titans attacked and dismembered the baby Dionysus, Zeus in retaliation destroyed the perpetrators with his thunderbolt. From the Titans’ ashes the human race was born, burdened by their Titan inheritance which could only be destroyed through the ecstatic worship of Dionysus.
![1st-2nd century AD. A flat-section bronze fragment with incised text to both faces: in seriffed capitals 'II[...] / [...]TINA](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/76849b5f-c114-43d4-9250-a64a012b8ae9/9ca9f71b-69c2-4003-f3ca-7935a115b8be/468x382.jpg)
1st-2nd century AD. A flat-section bronze fragment with incised text to both faces: in seriffed capitals 'II[...] / [...]TINA[...] / [...] ET CALC [...] / [...]RONIOI[...] / [...]RITANA[...]' and in rustic capitals perpendicular ' [...]AENSI[...] / ET[.]MT[...] / [...]T' . 2.55 grams, 22mm (1"). Property of a London, UK collector; acquired London market, 1990s. Fair condition. Extremely rare. [No Reserve]
Published 1919 AD. London, J. M. Dent & Sons; first edition, comprising: a large stiff portfolio (fabric ties damaged, flaps with some tearing at hinges"). with printed title and details; a printed label on inside of front board confirming this set is number fifty-four of five hundred 'first proofs' and signed by the artist, containing twenty-four fine colour plates mounted on card backing with printed border, titled respectively 'Yellowhammer', 'Goldfinch and Blue Tit', 'Herring Gull', 'Heron', 'Woodpigeon', 'Golden Plover', 'Black Leghorn Chick', 'Green Woodpecker', 'Chaffinch', 'Bullfinch', 'Moorhen', 'Barn Owl', 'Wren', 'Nightingale', 'Lapwing', 'Jay', 'Songthrush and Long-Tailed Tit', 'Skylark', 'Hare and Rabbit', 'Squirrel', 'Dormouse', 'Hedgehogs', 'Edible Crab and Smelts' and 'Lobster', each from life in a detailed natural setting, with a tissue guard bearing the title of each picture printed in brown; the colour plate areas 23.5 x 37cm (14 3/4 x 9.6). 3.10 kg, portfolio 40 x 53cm (15 3/4 x 21"). Property of a Kent collector; by inheritance. Edward Julius Detmold (1883-1957), with his twin brother Charle Maurice Detmold (1883-1908), was a prolific Victorian artist and book illustrator; he exhibited at the Fine Art Society in 1900 and his work was used in many famous editions, including Kipling's The Jungle Book and Aesop's Fables; it is rare to find a complete set of all twenty-four plates still in the original publishers portfolio, as issued, with many sets having been broken up and framed to hang (a similar full set is presently on offer for a retail price of £3,900"). Fine condition; outer surfaces of portfolio lightly soiled; mount edges lightly browned; rare. [No Reserve]
Coins dated 1968-1975 AD. Group comprising 87 different coins mounted in five coloured display cards with text (last two with original shrinkwrap): FAO money, set 1 (19 coins; Algeria, Bolivia, Burundi, China, Dominican Republic, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Lebanon, Madagascar (2), Rwanda, Syria, Turkey, Vietnam, Yugoslavia (2)); FAO money, set 2, 10,000 sets issued (16 coins; Bahrain, Barbados, Ceylon, Cyprus, Guyana, Jordan, India, Iraq, Nepal, Somalia, Sudan, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Zambia); FAO money, set 2a, 3,000 sets issued (15 coins; Algeria, India (4), Panama, Poland (2), Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania (2), Uruguay (2), West Africa); FOA money, set 3a (15 coins; Egypt (2), India (2), Morocco, Nepal, Swaziland (2), Tonga (5), Yemen Arab Republic, Zambia); FAO money, set 5 (22 coins; Brazil (3), Haiti (2), India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Nicagua (2), Oman, San Marino, Swaziland (2), Tonga (6), Turkey (2)). 1.70 kg total, cards 28 x 22cm. These sets, mounted in presentation cards, were sponsored by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations in the 'Grow More Food' series. Brilliant uncirculated or as struck; mostly proofs, with some patterns. Set 2a rare. [5, No Reserve]
9th-11th century AD. A miniature gold situla with strap handle, undulating band of filigree and granules to the sidewall, granule clusters to the underside. 1.58 grams, 12mm (1/2"). Property of a German gentleman; acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. Cf. Meaney, A. Anglo-Saxon Amulets and Curing Stones, Oxford, BAR British Series 96, 1981, p. 166-168. Pendants in the form of miniature buckets have been found in a number of pagan Anglo-Saxon and Viking contexts and are generally made of bronze or iron, with gold examples being rare; three gold examples were found with the hoard from Hoen, Norway. Bronze bucket amulets have been found at Driffield in Yorkshire, and Vimose bog in Denmark, among other places. In form they represent wooden buckets bound with bronze or iron bands which have been found in Anglo-Saxon and Viking graves and are believed to have held mead or ale and were used to replenish the cups from which warriors drank. As amulets they probably represent the ecstatic power of alcoholic drink and the role of women as the dispensers of these precious beverages. Fine condition. [No Reserve]
Loading...-
209761 item(s)/page