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Click here to subscribe2nd millennium BC. A bronze short sword with tapering, double-edged triangular blade and central midrib; crescent-shaped, tri-lobed guard at the shoulder; cylindrical hilt with decoration, and domed stone pommel. See Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006. 865 grams, 54cm (21 1/4"). From a North West London collection; previously acquired in the 1980s. Fine condition.
Neolithic, 6th-4th millennium BC. A ground axe with polished cutting edge, the bluntly pointed butt tapering to convex cutting edge; in a grey-green basalt. Cf. Evans, Sir J., The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, London, 2nd edition, 1897, fig.67, for similar material and form. 252 grams, 13.5cm (5 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in a 1960s UK collection. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Neolithic, 3rd-2nd millennium BC. A group comprising: small ground stone axe with polished convex cutting edge tapering to rounded butt, with a sharpening or shaping tool formed from a pebble, showing as a groove to one face. 373 grams total, 76-88mm (3 - 3 1/2"). From a private Derbyshire, UK, collection, formed since 1990; found North Africa. [2, No Reserve] Fine condition.
Palaeolithic, 500,000-250,000 BP. A skilfully knapped bifacial handaxe tapering from a thick convex butt to a fine point; in grey flint with a typical downland white patina showing 'rust' marks to high points and small area of original cortex at butt. Cf. Evans, Sir J., The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, London, 2nd edition, 1897, figure 433, for an example of similar size and form. Portable Antiquities Scheme, reference KENT-9BFA4C. 320 grams, 12cm (4 3/4"). Found Kent, UK; accompanied by a copy of the Portable Antiquities Report. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Palaeolithic, 10th-8th millennium BC. Group comprising: slender bifacial knapped flint handaxe (tips unfinished), with some cortex remaining; a small and thin bifacial knapped stone axe of later period. 226 grams total, 9.7-12cm (3 3/4 - 4 3/4"). From a private Derbyshire, UK, collection, formed since 1990. [2, No Reserve] Fine condition.
Neolithic, 2nd millennium BC. A large oval stone saddle quern with concave and curved upper grinding surface for grinding grains; with a flattened almost cuboidal grinding stone. See Archaeological Museum at Stavanger University, Norway for very similar examples, with a copy of the Museum article included. 4.2 kg total, 7-32cm (2 3/4 - 12 1/2"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s. [2, No Reserve] Fine condition.
Neolithic, 3rd-2nd millennium BC. A ground stone axe hammer with slightly convex cutting edge tapering gently to shoulders and reducing to collared oval butt; pierced for attachment to shaft. Cf. Glob, P. V., Danske Oldsager II, Yngre Stenalder, Copenhagen, 1952, no.363, for similar form. 315 grams, 12.2cm (4 3/4"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
21st-20th century BC. A carved black stone cylinder seal with combat scene and three columns of cuneiform text; accompanied by a handwritten scholarly note issued by W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Black Stone, 28x16mm. The design shows two standing nude heroes - one with a horned tiara, the other without any head-covering, grappling with a rearing lion between them. There is a difficult three-line cuneiform inscription. The scene is a fine example of a type well attested for the period of the Third Dynasty of Ur, c.2100-2000 B.C. but the inscription is problematic. It is not reversed on the stone, to be read in an impression, and every line has problems though the wedges are very well engraved. This is then an Ur III seal, but with problematic inscription.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 11 grams, 28mm (1"). Property of a German collector since 2015; formerly the property of a London gentleman; previously acquired in the 1970s; accompanied by a handwritten scholarly note issued by Professor W.G. Lambert.Fine condition.
3300-2900 BC. A carved grey stone cylinder seal with monkey, accompanied by a scholarly note which states: 'A carved grey stone Early Syrian I-period cylinder seal with monkey; a tall monkey standing upright, in front view, striding to the left but looking to the right, holds up in both bent arm a snake each; the left one on the tail, the right one on the head with mouth wide open; on both sides at step height of the monkey its curved bushy tail and its oversized erect phallus; on the left of the scene eight dots (or globes), a vertical pole and a stylized cedar tree; the seal image is framed by lines on all four sides'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 62.5 grams, 41mm (1 1/2"). Ex important Dutch collection; acquired on the European art market in the 1970s; accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, report number 155073.Fine condition. Scarce.
19th-late 16th century BC. A carved black stone cylinder seal for Ur-egal, servant of (the god) Damu, accompanied by a scholarly note, which states: 'A hematite cylinder seal with a long bearded god in a flounced robe, wearing a bristle-like wig and facing left, holds a double lion-headed mace in his right hand, and rests his foot on a couchant snake-dragon (with horns, snake's body and neck, lion's forelegs and bird's hindlegs), called in Akkadian muš?uššu, 'furious snake'; he is approached by a robed king who holds a kid as an animal offering in both hands; his robe falls open and he wears a crested cap; the suppliant goddess Lama in a flounced robe, with necklace counterweight and with a multiple-horned head-dress, stands with both hands raised behind the worshipping king; between the god, identified as the warrior god Tišpak by the double lion-headed mace and the snake-dragon, and the king is a dog, a heavy mastiff, facing right, sitting on his haunches, supporting a crook, and wearing a heavy dog-collar, as the animal symbol of the healing goddess Gula. Inscription: 1UR-KÁ.GAL 2ÌR dDa-mu „Ur-kagal, servant of (the healing) god Damu.“ The Sumerian personal name UR-KÁ.GAL means „Dog (i.e. servant) at the great gate”.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. Cf. Collon, D., Catalogue of the Western Asiatic Seals in the British Museum. Cylinder Seals III. Isin-Larsa and Old Babylonian Periods, London, 1986, p.170-171, f.428-430; for the snake-dragon muš?uššu and the deities Lama, Tišpak, Gula and Damu s. Black,J.; Green, A., Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia. An Illustrated Dictionary, London, 1992, s.v.11.6 grams, 23mm (1"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired London art market, 2000s; accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, report number 157316.Very fine condition.
24th-22nd century BC. A carved polished serpentine stone cylinder seal with facetted sides and two flat rims, pierced through the centre to take a cord, featuring an alternating series of standing human and animal figures (horned beasts and a lion) including contest scenes and a substantial ear of corn serving as the terminal; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 35 grams, 36mm (1 1/2"). From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s.Fine condition.
2340-2200 BC. A marbled green stone cylinder seal, accompanied by a scholarly note, which states: 'From left to right: A bearded hero wearing a flat cap and a skirt is in conflict with an urinating water-buffalo. Next to it another bearded hero wearing a helmet-like short hairstyle and also a skirt in conflict with a rampant lion, with both hands pressing together the lion's front legs. Terminal, an inscription of two lines, in a frame.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. Cf. Collon, D., Cataloque of the Western Asiatic Seals in the British Museum. Cylinder Seals II. Akkadian-, Post Akkadian-, Ur III-Periods, London, 1982, nos.19, 31, 67, and 70.26.7 grams, 32mm (1 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent; accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, report number 152081.Very fine condition.
1450-1100 BC. A rock crystal cylinder seal with a standing gryphon before a stele with four lines of inscription; accompanied by a scholarly note, which states: 'A rock-crystal cylinder seal with a rampant lion-griffin before an altar with a grid pattern, a winged sun over it; the beast, called Imdugud or Asag in Sumerian and Anzû or Asakku in Akkadian, steps to the right and holds two tied up sacrificial animals in the paws of its outstretched front legs; in the left paw a lamb, in the right a lion's cub, the head turning back. Below the altar there is a framed four-line inscription to be read directly from the stone.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. Cf. Porada, E., The Collection of the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York, 1948, pl.LXXXIII, fig.598E.5.3 grams, 26mm (1"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent; accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, report number 158135.Fine condition.
9th-12th century AD. An 'elfshot' amulet with silver cap securing a bone arrow-shaped insert. Cf. Evans, J., The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, London, 1897, p.365; Korshun, V.E., Yazcheskye Priveski Drevnei Rusi X-XIV Vekov, volume I, Moscow, 2012, item A.2.03. 1.7 grams, 22mm (1"). Property of a professional collector; acquired before 1990. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Circa 1000-539 BC. A finely cut agate cylinder seal of a high official Ur-egal, servant of (the god) Damu, with worship scene with garbled inscription; contrary to ordinary seals, the inscription on the seals of these officials were engraved in positive and come out reversed in impressions; very fine double drilling to either end as usual, tapering towards the middle; accompanied by a scholarly note, which states: 'A large carved (stone type?) cylinder seal with a bearded worshipper, who stands facing left between two deities, with a crested cap, in a fringed, tight robe with a double belt, and points with his raised right hand and extends the other palm up; before him, on the left, a god, facing right and standing on a bull, wears a tall, cylindrical, feather-topped head-dress with a thick tassel or necklace counterweight hanging down the back, and a fringed, tiered robe, hanging open over a fringed kilt; armed with two bow-cases and a short sword in his belt, all together with the head-dress globe-tipped, he raises his right hand and holds a beaded ring in his left; behind the worshipper, facing left, the goddess Ištar, wearing a square-topped head-dress with a star on top, a tassel or necklace counterweight hanging down her back, and a tiered, striated, open robe over a fringed kilt; on her back she wears two crossed star-tipped bow cases and a quiver; she also raises her right hand and holds a beaded ring in her left; across the image area from left to right as symbols appear the wedge or stylus of the god Nabu next to the tasselled spade of the god Marduk, a rhomb, a crescent, the winged disc with the sun god Šamaš, a six-pointed star, an ibex sitting on his haunches before a cactus-like plant, consisting of a central spike with a curved leaf on either side; between the deities a two-line inscription. The sun god in fully anthropomorphic form and the cactus-like plant show, that the seal is Neo-Babylonian and not Neo-Assyrian.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. See Collon, D., Catalogue of the Western Asiatic Seals in the British Museum. Cylinder Seals V. Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian Periods, London, 2001.38.5 grams, 42mm (1 1/2"). Property of a London lady, part of her family's Swiss collection; formerly acquired in the 1980s; accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, report number 157484.Very fine condition.
20th century AD. A necklace of graduated mainly spherical beads in glass, stone and other materials, with large hollow-formed base metal bulb beads to the centre and florid shapes to the ends. 81.5 grams, 67cm (26 1/2"). From a private Belgian collection; previously part of a private collection formed in Germany in the 1990s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
20th century AD. A silver hinged box of rectangular form with rounded corners; with cabochon stone to spring catch and the entire outer surfaces enamelled with white flowers with wire surrounds against a green ground with red dots; the interior lined with fine black suede leather. 292 grams, 11.6cm (4 1/2"). From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s. Very fine condition.
Late Woodland Period, 1st millennium AD. A group of two carved stone axeheads, each a tapering rectangular block with gusset to the rear, slightly curved cutting edge. 1.7 kg total, 12.5-16cm (5 - 6 1/4"). Property of an American gentleman; formerly in a collection formed 1970s-1990s. [2, No Reserve] Fine condition.
500-1000 AD. A carved and polished stone pendant of a standing figure with stylised facial features, drilled eyes, twist motif to the hair, pierced for suspension. 54 grams, 82mm (3 1/2"). Property of an American gentleman; formerly in a collection formed 1970s-1990s. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
14th century AD. A carved stone corbel with keyed rectangular block, ledge carved with the bust of a king, probably that of Edward III (r. 1327-1377) with crown, neat beard and recessed collar. 9.6 kg, 31cm (12 1/4"). Property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. Edward III was a king of the Plantagenet dynasty, who came to the throne when his father (Edward II) was deposed by his mother, Isabella of France, and her lover Roger Mortimer, Earl of March. Edward led a coup d'état against his mother and Mortimer and began his reign at the age of seventeen. He undertook a successful military campaign in Scotland and declared himself heir to the French throne in 1337. This dispute started the so-called 'Hundred Years' War.' English victories in France (notably at Crécy and Poitiers) led to the French king ceding territory to England in return for Edward's withdrawal of his claims. Edward failed to capitalise on his early success, partly due to failing health. He died of a stroke at Sheen on 21 June 1377 and was succeeded by his ten-year-old grandson, King Richard II, son of Edward of Woodstock, better known as the Black Prince. Fair condition.
12th-14th century AD. A large and impressive carved limestone corbel stone depicting a grotesque male face with furrowed brow, very prominent lentoid eyes, flaring nostrils and gaping mouth; drilled vertically through and linked to horizontal drilling through the mouth, possibly a later modification. 31.1 kg, 31cm (12 1/4"). Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman since 1990; previously in a private collection formed in the 1980s.Fine condition.
9th-3rd century BC. A carved and polished stone cylindrical vessel with flat rim, featuring zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures and geometric motifs around the body; the interior is deep with a curved base. See Sotheby's, Pre-Columbian Art, New York, 17 May 1994, lots 327-329, for vessels of a similar form displaying a similar style of carving; see Howard, S. Rose Gallery, Inc., Arte Primitivo, auction 47, 9 June 2008, lots 227 and 243, for vessels of a similar form displaying a similar style of carving.425 grams, 11cm (4 1/4"). Property of a Brussels gallery; acquired on the European art market. A video of this lot can be viewed on Timeline Auctions website. Very fine condition.
4th-2nd century BC. A carved black stone vessel; round in plan with straight sides, a slightly flared neck and a simple raised rim; flat bottom with four small applied foam pads acting as feet. 1.6 kg, 22cm (8 3/4"). Property of a Brussels gallery; acquired on the European art market.Fine condition, repaired.
Eocene Period, circa 50 million years BP. A large and near entire fossil crab with excellent preservation showing carapace and other details clearly, lacking only tips to three legs; presented on a stone base for display. 2.73 kg, 22cm wide total (8 3/4"). From a private UK collection, acquired on the London art market 1990-2000.Fine condition.
Late Period, 664-332 BC. A carved stone figure of Babi, or Thoth, the sacred baboon, crouching on a rectangular base. 130 grams, 60mm (2 1/2"). Property of a North London gentleman; previously the property of a lady; acquired in the late 1970s on the London art market. The baboon was considered sacred to the Egyptians due to the fact that they were observed at sun rise standing up in the direction of the east and calling out to the sun. They are commonly depicted at the base of obelisks as guardians of the solar deities. They are also associated with Thoth, the god of wisdom, medicine, magic and the maintainer of the stability of the universe. Baboons are also known in Egyptian mythology from their underworld connection under the name of the god Babi.The name Babi, which means 'Bull of the Baboon' relates to the alpha male of the troop and is associated with the power of the Pharaoh. He is also seen on papyri standing near to the scales of justice that weighs the heart of the deceased before Osiris, and he acts as a destroyer of the sinful in the next world. Fine condition.
Ptolemaic Period, 4th-1st century BC. A carved stone figure with integral rhomboidal base; figure is seated, arms and hands outstretched, embracing an erect phallus on which he rests his chin; much surviving pink pigmentation. 59.7 grams, 61mm (2 1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. [No Reserve] Fair condition.
New Kingdom, 1550-1070 BC. A green stone figure of the dwarf god Bes, the protector of the household, depicted nude on a rectangular base; long beard and prominent bushy eyebrows; pierced through the base. 13.5 grams, 39mm (1 1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. Fine condition.
1st century BC-2nd century AD. A jasper(?) seal, plano-convex in form with intaglio seated figure and pseudo-text; accompanied by an old scholarly note, written and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Stamp seal of dark brown stone, 22 x 17mm, a ring stone. Seated figure raising one hand, two plants in front. Bogus inscription to left. Magic gem, east Mediterranean, c.100 B.C. - 200 A.D. Condition fine. The design was copied from an ancient Mesopotamian seal. 3.5 grams, 21mm (3/4"). From the property of a London gentleman; thence by descent; previously in an important private Mayfair, London collection, acquired after 1970; accompanied by a scholarly report by Professor W.G. Lambert. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
3rd-5th century AD. An oval black stone amulet with an engraved image of a man with scorpion tail, carrying a two-headed goat on his shoulders; pierced for suspension. 11.1 grams, 36mm (1 1/2"). From the property of a London gentleman; thence by descent; previously in an important private Mayfair, London collection, acquired after 1970. [No Reserve] Fair condition.
1st century AD and later. A group of five oval intaglios comprising: a domed red intaglio with an a profile bust to top centre above an eagle between two standards with Victory on each; a red intaglio with Isis suckling Harpocrates, a green stone intaglio depicting a standing figure holding a palm leaf with a bird at his feet; a domed amethyst intaglio of Victory; and a red intaglio with helmetted Minerva holding Victory in right hand, a spear in the left and an owl at the feet. 3.8 grams total, 12-15mm (1/2 - 3/4"). From a private collection of seals and amulets, the property of a Canadian gentleman living in London; from his father's collection formed in the late 1960s to 1980s. [5] Fine condition.
Fell 21 August 1991 AD. A cut and polished section of L5 stone Mount Tazerzait meteorite; with inked collector's note 'MOUNT TAZERZAIT' to one face. 72.3 grams, 10cm (4"). From a Leicestershire, UK, collection; acquired on the European art market; previously with SV Meteorites; found Niger, Africa; accompanied by a copy of the official Meteoritical Society entry and aluminium identification tag and two dealer's labels. [No Reserve] Fine condition.
Middle Kingdom, 2050-1652 BC. A small carved double-lidded stone vessel for storing kohl; tapering body with a flat rim and high shoulder, decorated with shallow dots and incised lines; footed base also decorated with shallow incised lines; two discoid lids: the lower lid is decorated with shallow incised lines around the rim, a central circular opening with a surrounding raised lip on the underside; the upper lid is decorated with shallow incised lines around the rim and has a small round knop on the underside, which fits into the round opening in the lower lid. 164 grams total, 55mm (2 1/4"). From an old British private collection; acquired from Astarte Gallery, Cornwall, UK, in 1991. The Egyptians made extensive use of eye paint, and the wide rim of this jar ensured that none of this valuable cosmetic paint went to waste. Fine condition.
3rd-1st century BC. A carved stone bust, chest and shoulders forming integral plinth, mouth, broad rectangular nose tapering towards a heavy brow, lentoid eyes, hair, ears and headdress. 50.8 kg, 51cm (20"). From an old family collection formed in the UK; acquired in the late 1980s; thence by descent.[No Reserve]Fine condition.
Wei Dynasty, 534-550 AD. A tall stone statue of Buddha standing on a disc base, with hair in tight curls and ushnisha, left hand in protective stance; slot for a separate right hand; mounted on a custom-made stand. See The Royal Academy of Arts, Return of the Buddha: The Qingzhou Discoveries, London, 2002, for discussion and close parallels.100 kg, 1.37m including stand (54"). Property of a central London gallery; acquired from a Somerset, UK, estate collection; formerly acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.157167-10041. The Northern Wei was the most powerful family to rule the northern dynasties prior to the reunification of China under the Sui and Tang dynasties, boasting impressive military prowess. The Tuoba tribesmen who founded the Wei dynasty after their takeover of the Shanxi province, adopted the ancient name Wei for their kingdom, establishing a capital at Pingcheng (present-day Datong.) Beguiled by the appeal of Chinese culture and society, the tribesmen eventually developed a taste for the luxuries characteristic of the Chinese upper classes. The most notable cultural contribution of the Wei dynasty was in Buddhist art. Fine condition.
9th-11th century AD. A carved black stone four-armed standing figure of Vishnu with rearmost right hand raised, wearing a simple draped sanghati to hips with serene smile, elongated ears and jatamukata headdress formed from matted and twisted locks of hair; mounted on a custom-made stand for display. See Van Beek, S., and Tettoni, L.I., The Arts of Thailand, Hong Kong, 1986, pp.52-57, for similar examples and discussion.52 kg total, 104cm including stand (45"). Property of an East Sussex gentleman; from his private collection formed between 1983 and 1990; formerly in a South East London collection formed in the 1970s; accompanied by geological report No. TL3250 by geology consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.157951-10042. Vishnu is a principal Hindu deity. He manifests through numerous avatars in order to keep humankind from harm, although not all avatars of Vishnu are benevolent. Along with Brahma (creation) and Shiva (destruction), Vishnu (maintenance) is one of three gods of the Trimurti, a union of the three cosmic functions of creation, maintenance and destruction. Vishnu is often depicted holding a Kaumodaki (mace), chakra, conch and lotus in one of his four hands. Fine condition.
11th-13th century AD. A polished stone standing male deity, probably Vishnu, with four arms, face with linear ridge forming a heavy brow, slender eyes with defined pupils, elongated ears, wearing a rectangular cloth (sampot) around the lower part of the body with a double fishtail pleat and frontal sash, conical knot of hair (chignon) arranged on the head with incised decoration, detailed diadem; mounted on custom-made stand for display. See Tucker, J. and Tozer, A., An Important Group of Sculptures from India, Southeast Asia and China, London, 2018, p.18, for a comparable example with discussion; see Sotheby's, Khmer, Thai, Indian and Himalayan Art, London, 12 October 1989, items 61, 68, 77, 82, for comparable examples.68 kg total, 135cm including stand (53"). Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman since 1990; previously in a private collection formed in the 1980s; accompanied by geological report No. TL3259 by geology consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.157943-10045. Vishnu is a principal Hindu deity, considered the protector of the world. Vishnu has ten avatars through which he manifests in order to protect moral and religious codes and to combat evil, and he appears on earth to help humankind in moments of crisis, although not all avatars of Vishnu are benevolent. He was first incarnated as the fish Matsya, and his incarnations follow an evolutionary pattern from fish and reptiles, to animals, the dwarf Vamana, to men and finally the future creator, Kalkin. Vishnu is part of the Trimurti, a union of the three cosmic functions of creation, maintenance and destruction embodied by Vishnu (maintenance), Brahma (creation) and Shiva (destruction"). Fine condition.
26th-19th century BC. A group of ten rectangular stone and ceramic stamp seals with suspension loops comprising: six with a long-horned bull in profile before an altar or incense burner, all with decorated quilts or harnesses, inscription above; one with a bull facing back, inscription to the field; two with a profile image of a standing bull, head bent down towards a shallow vessel, inscription above; one with an advancing rhinoceros with erect head, inscription above. See The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 49.40.1 and The British Museum, accession number 1947,0416.4, for similar.48 grams total, 13-24mm (1/2 - 1"). Property of a Middlesex collector; acquired on the London art market before 2000; formerly part of the 'Mahjarahu Collection' formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s.[10]Very fine condition.
2nd millennium BC. A substantial bronze short sword with broad triangular, double-edged blade and central midrib; crescent guard to the shoulders; square-section grip with cells to accept inserts(?), and domed stone pommel. Cf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, cat.35, for type.917 grams, 60cm (23 1/2"). From the property of a London gentleman; formerly in a UK collection, acquired in the 1990s.Fine condition.
Neolithic, late 3rd-early 2nd millennium BC. A large and finely polished boat-shaped axe in dark grey stone, with expanded asymmetric convex cutting edge tapering to shouldered and collared 'hammer' butt; drilled to receive handle with incised ornamental lines reminiscent of binding cord transversely to sides at piercing. See Glob, P. V., Danske Oldsager II, Yngre Stenalder, Copenhagen, 1952, no.333, for general form and no.486 for an example with collared butt; also for a group of two similar examples see Christie's New York, 4 June 2015, lot 72 [US$10,000-15,000].940 grams, 20cm (8"). Property of a Kent collector; part of his family collection since the mid 1970s.Very fine condition. Rare.
Neolithic, 3rd-2nd millennium BC. A finely polished double-bitted stone axe with convex cutting edges flaring down into central rectangular section, off-centre pierced to receive a wood haft; in a mottled red-grey granite. Cf. MacGregor, Arthur ed., Antiquities From Europe and the Near East in the Collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, Oxford, 1987, no.4.173, for a similar example.537 grams, 16cm (6 1/4"). Property of a Kent collector; part of his family collection since the mid 1970s.Very fine condition; ancient small chip to one cutting edge.
Neolithic, 3rd-2nd millennium BC. A finely polished battle axe in grey-green stone with asymmetric convex cutting edge curving to circular collared 'hammer' butt; pierced centrally to receive wood haft with shallow raised collar to underside. See MacGregor, Arthur ed., Antiquities From Europe and the Near East in the Collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, Oxford, 1987, no.4.177, for similar form.566 grams, 13cm (5"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s.[No Reserve]Fine condition; small ancient chipping to cutting and butt edges.
Neolithic, 7000-4000 BP. A finely polished axe of lentoid section with tapering edges and convex butt and convex cutting edge, showing some flaking from use; in a mottled cream-brown flint. Cf. Evans, Sir J., The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, London, 2nd edition, 1897, fig.48, for very similar form and size.293 grams, 12.5cm (5"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in a 1960s UK collection; reputedly found Kent, UK.Fine condition.
Neolithic, 3rd-2nd millennium BC. A highly polished stone axehead with convex cutting edge tapering to a rounded butt; in a striated dark red stone. See MacGregor, A. ed., Antiquities From Europe and the Near East in the Collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, Oxford, 1987, no.5.7, for similar form.1.2 kg, 18cm (7"). From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s.[No Reserve]Very fine condition.
Neolithic, 7th-4th millennium BP. A finely knapped axe with polished cutting edge of lentoid section with edges tapering from bluntly pointed butt to convex cutting edge showing light flaking from use; in a pale grey flint. Cf. Evans, Sir J., The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, London, 2nd edition, 1897, fig.43, for similar form.150 grams, 12.5ccm (5"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in a 1960s UK collection.Fine condition.
3rd millennium BC. A carved marble idol; arms bent at the elbow where a contrast in the size of the upper and lower arm is apparent; wide hips with tapering lower body; legs and pelvic region defined with incised lines at the front of the body; buttocks defined by a single downward facing triangular-shaped incised line at the rear; mounted on a custom-made stand. See von Bothmer, D., Glories of the Past: Ancient Art from the Shelby White and Leon Levy Collection, New York, 1990.526 grams total, 23cm including stand (9"). From an important London collection; formerly in an old private English collection, formed in the 1970s. Early Cycladic sculpture comprises predominantly female figures that range from simple modification of the stone to developed representations of the human form, some with natural proportions and some more idealised. Many of these figures, especially those of the Spedos type, display a remarkable consistency in form and proportion that suggests they were planned with a compass. Scientific analysis has shown that the surface of the marble was painted with mineral-based pigments-azurite for blue and iron ores, or cinnabar for red. The exact purpose of these figures is not known but their most likely function is as some sort of religious idol and the predominance of female figures, sometimes pregnant, suggests a fertility deity. Supporting this view is the fact that figurines have been found outside of a burial context at settlements on Melos, Kea and Thera. Alternatively, precisely because the majority of figures have been found in graves, perhaps they were guardians to, or representations of, the deceased. A video of this lot can be viewed on Timeline Auctions website. Fine condition.
4th-3rd millennium BC. A fine grained marble figure of a stylised female; flat, fan-shaped head with long prominent nose ridge; flat lozenge-shaped body, small breasts; incised lines for the arms, legs together defined by incised line; mounted on a custom-made support. 430 grams, 27cm including support (10 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired from a major Mayfair gallery; acquired on the London art market before 2000. Early Cycladic sculpture comprises predominantly female figures that range from simple modification of the stone to developed representations of the human form, some with natural proportions and some more idealised. Many of these figures, especially those of the Spedos type, display a remarkable consistency in form and proportion that suggests they were planned with a compass. Scientific analysis has shown that the surface of the marble was painted with mineral-based pigments-azurite for blue and iron ores, or cinnabar for red. The exact purpose of these figures is not known but their most likely function is as some sort of religious idol and the predominance of female figures, sometimes pregnant, suggests a fertility deity. Supporting this view is the fact that figurines have been found outside of a burial context at settlements on Melos, Kea and Thera. Alternatively, precisely because the majority of figures have been found in graves, perhaps they were guardians to, or representations of, the deceased. Fine condition, old repair.
10th-12th century AD. A silver necklace composed of long heavy cable chain with looped finials attached to a twisted suspension ring; a teardrop-shaped stone pendant with silver cap and surrounding ropework loop, a turquoise stone drop below. 52.9 grams, 80cm (31 1/2"). From an important central London collection; previously in a European collection in the 1990s; formerly acquired on the German art market in the early 1980s.[No Reserve]Fine condition.
10th-12th century AD. A substantial silver necklace composed of a very large teardrop-shaped rock crystal pendant with cage-work attachment, stamped tubular fillet to the loop, above a twisted double loop with coiled terminals; the chain composed of irregular stone and carnelian melon beads, each with interlocking loops. 145 grams, 66cm (26"). From an important central London collection; previously in a European collection in the 1990s; formerly acquired on the German art market in the early 1980s.[No Reserve]Fine condition.
15th-16th century AD. A gold ring comprising a D-section hoop with heart-shaped panel to the underside, round bezel with hexafoil panel and triangular void enclosing a historic, very early cut diamond. Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 675, for type; see also Boardman, J. & Scarisbrick, D. The Ralph Harari Collection of Finger Rings, London, 1977, item 171, for type.9.22 grams, 26mm overall, 18.14mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.16 Japan 12) (1"). Property of a North American collector; previously in a UK collection; acquired from a London gallery in the late 1980s; formerly from a private European collection, formed in the 1960s and 1970s, supplied with geological report No. TL005180, by geology consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz; and an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert, Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no. 0586/02/06/2020. Dr. Ronald Bonewitz notes: 'This stone can be considered ‘historic’ in that it illustrates the earliest efforts at actually re-shaping the stone rather than just polishing the natural faces, as was done previously. Not only that, at this time facets were placed more or less at random, but this stone was very deliberately cut into a proper geometric shape. It is an early and rather splendid example of the evolving diamond-cutters art.' Very fine condition.
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