7th century AD. A parcel-gilt silver nasal fitting fragment from a helmet of 'Vendel' type; C-shaped in section with raised horizontal ribbed bands, heart-shaped face with inset garnet cabochon eyes, long beaked nasal bar; attachment holes above the eyes and near the apex of the beak. See Mortimer, P. Woden's Warriors, Ely, 2011 for discussion. 18.5 grams, 95mm (3 3/4"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. Nasal protection of a similar kind appears on the helmets from barrows 5, 7 and 8 at Valsgärde, Sweden and barrow XII at the Vendel site in the same area. Variant forms appear on the helmets from Vendel Mound 1, Sweden, and Sutton Hoo Mound I, Suffolk, England. Very fine condition, usage wear. Rare.
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9th century AD. A silvered and gilded cast copper-alloy sword belt mount, rectangular in plan and cross-section with reverse face rough-cast with remains of four broken studs or projecting spikes to secure the mount to a scabbard or sword belt; the obverse chip-carved with a complex foliage design around a central vertical bar flanked by two lozenges and two pairs of rosettes, with flanking small equal-arm crosses each within a larger rosette; the central elements of the design covered with thick silver foil or sheet, incised and inlaid with silver wire; above and below the ornamental panel, horizontal raised borders; parcel gilt surface with exposed bronze on the abraded areas. Recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme with registration number HESH-26E9D1; accompanied by a copy of the PAS report. Best Artefact of the Year, winner of the Robin & Karolyn Memorial Trophy Competition 2016, organised by the National Council of Metal Detecting, and published in The Searcher Magazine, 2016, p.4; accompanied by an original illustrated page of the magazine. 22 grams, 36mm (1 1/2"). Found by Mr Graham Allinson in an area of North Wales, near to Offa's Dyke, close to the Dee Estuary and the Wirral peninsula, an area which has significant trade (and possibly settlement) from Ireland and Scandinavia. Prof. Gabor Thomas of Reading University states: 'This mount is undoubtedly one of the most elaborate pieces of Carolingian metalwork which I have seen from Britain. The style and technique suggests that it was probably manufactured somewhere in western Frankia in the first half of the 9th century and probably derives from a sword-belt. Quite how it ended up in this part of Britain must remain a mystery, but Viking activity can't be ruled out.' The mount is one of a small but growing corpus of 8th and 9th Century Carolingian-style mounts recovered from Britain. Several other examples are recorded on the PAS database formed of both silver and base metals - these examples include Cambridgeshire (FAHG-123AB4), Lindsay, Suffolk (SF-E2FFD6), and Torksey, Lincs (DENO-872273"). This example, although mostly composed of base metal, is designed in such a way [as] to convey that it is formed of precious metals (gold and silver"). Thomas (2012) discusses this form of mount (pp. 497-99) describing them as being belt fittings decorated with ninth century Carolingian plant ornament which are dominated with acanthus rosettes. He also notes that an example of these rectangular mounts is present within the Cuerdale hoard, Cheshire. Very fine condition, usage wear. This sword-belt or scabbard mount is noted as being of 'national importance' by the museum and academic world including contributors to the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
10th-11th century AD. A parcel-gilt silver boar-head brooch with integral backplate; the body formed as a hollow case with upstanding ears and flat end to the muzzle; reserved raised band to the upper face separating two panels of scrolled ornament; to the sides and rear, panels of scrolled tendrils; backplate with trapezoidal slot, pin-lugs, integral catchplate. Cf. MacGregor, A. et al. A Summary Catalogue of the Continental Archaeological Collections, Oxford, 1997, items 3.17, 318. 35.3 grams, 45mm (1 3/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s; accompanied by a metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford, report number 608/131085. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]Very fine condition. Very rare.
Chernyakhov Culture, 5th century AD. A silver bow brooch comprising a D-shaped headplate with concentric granulated bands, three-row spring with granulated knops, shallow bow with D-shaped ledges and granule detailing, tongue-shaped footplate with applied filigree scroll and ropework borders; catchplate to the reverse. Cf. Beck, H. et al. Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, fig. 99(13"). 69.2 grams, 84mm (3 1/4"). Property of a European collector; formerly in an old European collection formed in the 1980s. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]Fine condition.
10th-12th century AD. A silver coiled arm-ring, round in section with alternating twisted and plain segments, finial with a lentoid flange and returned finial, shallow midrib, tail finial absent. Cf. Sedov, B.B. Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate III, item 12 for type. 40 grams, 69mm (2 3/4"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s. [No Reserve]Fine condition.
10th-12th century AD. A silver coiled arm-ring, round in section with alternating twisted and plain segments, Y-shaped finial to one end and the other with a lentoid flange and returned finial, the flange with midrib and punched crescent detailing. Cf. Sedov, B.B. Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, plate III, item 12 for type. 95 grams, 70mm (2 3/4"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A silver bracelet with slightly domed upper face, the upper face decorated with two bands of stamped triangles, each triangle with pellets, smooth median band with stamped pellets; the terminals with beast heads, their muzzle extending to form coiled loop and catch. 32 grams, 74mm (3"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A plaited silver bracelet formed of three round-section rods with thinner twisted wire wound about the shank; finials twisted around each other forming a spiral plaque with ends coiled around the shank. 65 grams, 78mm (3"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A large silver penannular bracelet formed from rectangular rods twisted about each other, decorative twisted wire to each side; the arms tapering to a round-section bar, large engraved polyhedral finials, large faces with lozenge, annulets and ring-and-dot symbol, smaller faces with pellet-in-triangles. 97 grams, 80mm (3"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A silver penannular brooch formed from three rods twisted about each other, three applied twisted decorative wires in between, the arms tapering with angled terminals; engraved polyhedral finials, larger faces engraved with lozenges within a dotted border, pellet-and-triangles to the smaller faces; separate twisted pin with large flat-section loop, decorated with stamped annulets and wolf's tooth motifs. 58.8 grams, 62mm (2 1/2"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A silver-gilt pendant comprising a facing animal mask with lentoid eyes above a bilinear loop with hatched serpent body looped across and central triangle motif; the whole pendant replicating the standard 'Thor's hammer' profile. 5.46 grams, 33mm (1 1/4"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A circular silver pendant with applied filigree frame, the upper face decorated with a band of filigree circlets, applied pellet to the centre of each circlet; raised central boss with filigree circlets; separately made ribbed suspension loop. 3.15 grams, 31mm (1 1/4"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
9th-10th century AD. A silver-gilt discoid pendant with integral loop, pelletted border enclosing a low-relief image of a male face between two birds, grasped by arms at the necks, small loop above. Cf. Hammond B. M. British Artefacts Volume 2 - Middle Saxon and Viking, p.57, item 1.5.3-f. 2.2 grams, 21mm (3/4"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A discoid silver pendant with filigree border, four filigree scrolls to the centre with applied pellets to the field; the suspension loop formed from a triangular extension folded to the rear and decorated with filigree. 2.4 grams, 31mm (1 1/4"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A triangular hollow silver pendant with integral suspension loop, applied granules and straps to the loop; the outer face with wolf's head motif formed from lines of granules, almond-shaped eyes, eyebrows above, concentric chevrons to the nasal line. 1.79 grams, 27mm (1"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. [No Reserve]Very fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A parcel-gilt silver mount with pierced lug to the reverse, advancing warrior in ankle-length armoured coat, holding an axe in one hand and sword(?) in the other. 14.9 grams, 41mm (1 1/2"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Very fine condition.
10th century AD. A flat-section silver-gilt bifacial plaque depicting a standing female in profile in pleated skirt and ornate headdress holding a drinking horn in her extended hands, pierced lug to the reverse. Cf. Graham-Campbell, J. Viking Art, London, 2013, item 34; Enright, M.J. Lady With a Mead Cup, Dublin, 2013; Swedish History Museum, item 108864. 4.08 grams, 26mm (1"). From a London W1, UK, collection; acquired on the German art market before 2000. Representations of female figures holding drinking horns have often been referred to as Valkyries. Although it is impossible to verify this identification securely, it is highly tempting to make the connection between Valkyries and serving of a magical drink in myths. Drinking horns, popular in modern pictures of Vikings, were probably used only during special occasions, such as greeting important guests, celebrations or seasonal holidays. They were closely connected to the aristocracy, not only by virtue of their material value, but also as a result of their social and ritual roles. As M.J. Enright points out, it is probable that Germanic tribes adapted the concept of the military group, which played an important role in strengthening the bond between a king/chief and warriors from Celts in the age of Roman expansion. In a Germanic environment, this concept was slightly modified, and the serving of a drink by a noble/spiritual woman under the supervision of king/chief was viewed as a cultic act to strengthen the bond in that specific group, with the god Woden (Odin) as a patron (see Lady with a Mead Cup: Ritual, Prophecy and Lordship in the European Warband from La Tène to the Viking Age"). In later sources, especially the IcelandicEddas, we can find several examples of goddesses serving or preparing a drink. Hel is waiting for Balder with mead in her realm of death, the giantess Gunnloð is the guardian of the magic mead (later stolen by Odin) or Freyr's bride-to-be Gerð serving a drink to Skirnir as an act of welcome and also reconciliation. The connection between a giantess and a magic drink is strong, as the goddess Freya asks another giantess, Hyndlja, to serve a magic beer to her protégée Ottar. We can also find a reference to a minor goddess Beyla, servant of god Freyr, whose name can be a reference to a 'bee' thus connecting her to preparation of an 'ordinary mead'. In Asgard (the realm of the gods) goddesses Sif and Freya served the drink as an act of peace and conciliation, but it had no magical attributes. Women with drinking horns are also depicted on the famous Gotland picture stones either greeting a rider on a horse, approaching a bounded figure in a snake (?) pit (possibly Gunnarr or Ragnar Lodbrok) or serving a drink to a hero (possibly Sigurd"). The connection with rider scenes is one of the main reasons for identifying them as Valkyries, the servants of Odin choosing the one who will die on a battlefield and go to Valhalla. It is possible that we observe the same ritual 'bonding' between fallen warrior and his king, Odin. An alternative identification for these female figures might be lesser deities. As R.Simek pointed out, the majority of small female figures have no drinking horn, but are richly adorned, and most likely represent minor fertility goddesses. These goddesses are named in the Eddas as servants of Frigg and Freya, but originate in the much older tradition of the so-called matrones, known from the late Roman period. Whether fertility goddess or Valkyrie, the image of a noble 'lady with a drinking horn' had a special meaning developed through centuries, making it one of the most distinctive and mysterious features of Viking culture. [No Reserve]Fine condition, cleaned and conserved.
6th-7th century AD. A silver-gilt drinking horn finial comprising a stylised bird-head with pellet eye and coiled beak, loop below for attaching of a suspension thong, tapering curved neck with bulb collar and triangular panels of Style I ornament, plain band with holes for fixing pins. Similar to the mount from one of the Taplow barrow drinking horns, now in the British Museum (accession number 1883,1214.19"). 36.10 grams, 10cm (4"). Property of a European gentleman; acquired in continental Europe in the late 1960s-early 1970s; accompanied by a metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford, report number 620/135100. Fine condition, usage wear.
5th century AD. A parcel-gilt silver buckle comprising: a crescent loop with bird-head finials, punched-point detailing and cloison eyes; tongue with beast-head finial; plaque with separate square panel of raised ornament with garnet cloison to each corner, larger central cloison surrounded by eight smaller, profile bird-head to the rear with garnet cloison eye. Cf. Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item I.7. 190 grams, 18cm (7"). From an old European collection; acquired in Munich in the 1970s. Very fine condition.
6th century AD. A silver-gilt buckle set comprising: broad loop with scroll detailing to the upper face, four inset garnet cabochons; triangular-section tongue with curved beast-head finial, four garnet cabochons; rectangular plate with raised lip, repoussé scroll detailing and applied garnet cabochons in silver cells. Cf. Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item I.16.1 for type. 115 grams, 11.5cm (4 1/2"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. Very fine condition.
5th century AD. A silver-gilt 'eagle' buckle and plate comprising: a domed D-shaped loop with stepped outer edge and running scrolls, each finial a profile eagle head with inset garnet cabochon eyes; the tongue D-shaped in section with ribbed butt and beast-head finials, garnet cabochon eyes; the hinged plates square with central void, running scrolls to the frame and inset garnet cabochon to each corner; two opposed profile bird-heads to the trailing edge, each with an inset garnet cabochon eye; six fixing holes. Cf. Menghin, W. The Merovingian Period. Europe Without Borders, Berlin, 2007, item I.8.11. 75.5 grams, 10.8cm (4 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. 'Eagle' buckles are typical of the period of Gothic dominance of the Black Sea region from the 3rd century onwards. Political control by the Goths was broken after their disastrous defeat by the Huns in the 5th century, but the area surrounding Crimea remained culturally distinct for centuries afterwards. Fine condition.
6th century AD. A matched pair of silver-gilt bow brooches, each with rectangular headplate and geometric detailing, short bow, long lozenge footplate with raised border and midrib, beast-head finial with garnet cabochon eyes, pin-lug and catch to the reverse. Cf. Beck, H. et al. Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, item 154(3) for type. 53.65 grams total, 92mm (3 1/2"). From an old European collection; acquired in Munich in the 1970s. [2, No Reserve]Fine condition.
18th century AD. A silver finger ring with D-section hoop, bifid shoulders with notched edges, discoid bezel with dentilled rim, raised plaque with inset panel, intaglio image of a skeletal horseman with a scythe and legend 'vive memor leti' (live mindful of death"). 10 grams, 26mm overall, 17.89mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.0, Japan 15) (1"). Private collection, UK; formed in the 1980s. Fine condition.
3rd-4th century AD. Two wooden wax tablet sections, both probably legal contracts comprising: one rectangular with broken lower edge, recessed surface with wax fill and part of eight lines of cursive Greek text, remains of further text to the reverse; one rectangular with recessed surface and two pairs of mounting holes to the border, fourteen lines of cursive Greek text and similar recess, the contract mentioning ‘Silver money’ in the last line, on the reserve the signatures of various witnesses (in the typical form: name, son of [ ], father's name in the genitive case; difficult to read due to the remains of words of at least one previous writer the tablet having been reused as was normal practice; both from North Africa or Egypt. For examples of wooden tabulae re-used as a writing surfaces, see Thomas, J. D., Vindolanda: The Latin Writing Tablets, Britannia Monograph Series No 4, London, 1983; for examples of testamentary documents on wooden tablets that have survived, see FIRA III, p.47 for Anthony Silvanus from 142 AD and see BGU VII 1695 for Safinnius Herminus; for another from Transfynydd, North Wales, see Arch. Camb. 150, pp.143-156. 95 grams total, 12.7-18.7cm (5 - 7 1/4"). Property of a North London gentleman; previously in the Dean family collection since 1975; formerly the property of Monsieur Alain Sfez, a Belgian collector; acquired by gift from his father Albert Sfez, 1965; acquired by Albert in the early 1950s; accompanied by three old black and white photographs. [2]Fine condition. Rare legal documents, once forensically fully deciphered, they will provide a fascinating insight into the functioning of Roman society and its economy.
2nd century AD. A gold finger ring with inset silver face of Venus modelled in high relief. 3.73 grams, 19.16mm overall, 12.81x16.43mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4) (3/4"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. Very fine condition.
2nd-3rd century AD. A parcel-gilt silver pyxis with band of gilt discs to the sidewall depicting deities and their symbols (Dionysus, Apollo, Venus, Abundantia(?) with baskets of fruit and amphorae) between bands of niello-inlaid scrolled tendrils; the pyxis drum-shaped with flared rims, the lid with central knop handle and similar niello-inlaid decorative band. 190 grams, 65mm (2 1/2"). From an old European collection; acquired in Munich in the 1970s; accompanied by a metallurgic analytical report, written by Metallurgist Dr. Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford, report number 133698. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.
4th-2nd century BC. A silver-gilt Hellenistic strainer comprising a shallow bowl with concentric ribbed rim, central strainer and two triangular ledge handles with lateral scrolls and recurved tendril finials; parcel-gilt cross to the centre of the strainer bowl, pointillé detailing with gilding to the ledge handles. For similar examples and a general discussion of type, cf. Reeder, Ellen D., Hellenistic Art in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, 1988, p.125, no.130; A Passion for Antiquities, Ancient Art from the collection of Barbera and Lawrence Fleischman, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 1994, pp.77-78, no.31D; and The Search for Alexander, exhibition catalogue, 1980, p.167, no.130. 151 grams, 21.8cm (8 1/2"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Elaborate silver strainers, such as this present example, were used at symposia and festive occassions for the purpose of preventing the dregs of wine from entering an individual's wine cup. This and other silver related utensils became popular from the later 4th and 3rd century BC. Very fine condition.
1st century BC-1st century AD. A silver figure of a stag running with head erect and detailed antlers, stem and suspension loop behind the neck. See Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965. 35 grams, 77mm (3"). Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. Fair condition.
1st-2nd century AD. A silver mount with facing bust, folded tunic, hair arranged to loose curls to the brow, five radiating spikes; recess to the back with small mounting lug. 22.84 grams, 34.72mm (1 1/2"). Property of a private collector; acquired before 1975. Fine condition.
2nd-3rd century AD. A silver heater-shaped strap end with gilded voids and scrolls to each side, pierced up edge, three-quarter bust of Cupid with curly hair and wings in a rinsed ring. 21.9 grams, 43mm (1 3/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Very fine condition.
10th-13th century AD. A hollow-formed sheet silver amuletic seal pendant, bell-shaped with applied loop and beaded wire segments, underside with impressed reversed legend '+?? / ??????? / ?????C / ICI?I'. 7.9 grams, 31mm (1 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Fine condition.
14th-15th century AD. A silver-gilt finger ring with discoid bezel and hatched bands to the shoulders, beaded border to the bezel and monogram comprising a cross and C, S, O, T, A, H. 57.21 grams, 31.03mm overall, 19.60mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20.00, Japan 19) (1 1/4"). From an old European collection; acquired in Munich in the 1970s. [No Reserve]Fine condition. A large wearable size.
7th-6th century BC. A carnelian intaglio with engraved image of a robed and bearded figure in profile; mounted in a later silver ring. 14.11 grams, 27.49mm overall, 19.58mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 3/4, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18) (1"). Property of a North London gentleman; previously in the private collection of Mr S.M., Mayfair, London, formed 1948-2000. Fine condition. A large wearable size.
2nd-1st century BC. A mixed silver-gilt mount set comprising: a long tongue-shaped bifacial scabbard chape with remains of the blade-tip within; thirteen trapezoidal plaques with foliage and tendrils. 122 grams total, 4-16cm (1 1/2 - 6 1/4"). Property of a European businessman; previously in an old European collection; formerly in an old Ukrainian collection before the Russian Socialist Revolution of 1917, with collection number 46; accompanied by an original handwritten collector's page, dated 3rd March 1908, showing a cost of 10 roubles; and also accompanied by a typed translation and explanatory note. The Sarmatians were a confederation of mainly Iranian peoples who came to dominate the western end of the Eurasian Steppe from the 5th century BC onwards. In the early centuries AD, Sarmatian power was disrupted by the movement of Goths and other tribes under pressure from the Huns, and eventually they became absorbed by the emerging Slavic groups in eastern Europe. Isolated sub-groups of Sarmatians settled in western Europe in the Late Roman era, known by the name 'Alans' and other terms. [14, No Reserve]Fine condition. Rare.
5th-4th century BC. A bronze phiale with flanged rim, central mesomphalos boss surrounded by concentric circles and circlets, a border of lotus-flower details to the outer edge. See Godard, F. The Art of Iran, London, 1965 for discussion. 204 grams, 16.5cm (6 1/2"). Property of a London gentleman, acquired in the 1990s. Phiale mesomphalos (literally: bowl with central boss) were the most popular form of vessel and were produced in a number of materials, including clay, bronze, silver and gold. They are a distinctive type of Achaemenid tableware, made by hammering or raising sheet metal, with decoration added in repoussé. They were used in banquets held by the nobility and for pouring libations at religious festivals. Phiales of this kind were a common gift from the Achaemenid king to the nobility which helped cement alliances among the different tribes of the Empire.The central boss to the underside allowed the user to secure their fingers and ensure a solid grip whilst drinking or pouring. Fine condition.
1st millennium AD. A silver mount in the shape of a leaping panther with gently curved body, forepaws extended to each side of the head, ears pulled back to reflect the fierce facial features; short tang below the hindlegs, possibly a vessel handle. 108 grams, 9cm (3 1/2"). Property of a London collector, acquired early 1990s. Fine condition.
4th-1st century BC. A small silver phiale mesomphalos with flared rim; body with a series of tight repoussé petals radiating from a central raised boss. 66.24 grams, 11cm (4 3/8"). Property of a European gentleman; formerly acquired on the German art market before 1980. Extremely fine condition.
5th-3rd century BC. A parcel-gilt silver palm cup with hemispherical bowl, flared rim gilt band to the outer face with framing ribs, rim with egg-and-dart detailing. 200 grams, 10.5cm (4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Fine condition.
Late 18th or early 19th century AD. A tomb cover piece bearing a written text executed in couched silver thread; the text a famous prayer verse from the Qur'an called Ayyat al Kursi; mounted in a perspex display case. 9.3 kg total, 88cm wide including case (34 1/2"). From an important London collection; acquired on the UK art market 1971-1974. Fine condition.
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2475480 item(s)/page