Antiquities & Artefacts

A lovely small example of a kräftig profilierte type brooch featuring a coiled hinge. The bow angles out and down (remniscent of a knee brooch in shape) into a flat, rounded catchplate with an upturned foot. This brooch displays a rather large catchplate in which the pin still sits. Brooches as clothes fasteners have been made since the bronze age. This type of ‘Kräftig Profilierte’ (strongly profiled) fibula originated in Central Europe, probably Pannonia, roughly where Hungary is now and spread across as far as Britain.

Size: 35mm x 20mm x 12mm; Weight: 6.63g

Ref: R. Hattatt's 'Ancient Brooches', p.325, possibly item 335

£30 (P&P FREE to all locations)

A rectangular bronze belt fitting with four corner rivets. The front is decorated with garnet inlays arranged in a geometric pattern of triangles and lozenges, framing a central oval glass insert. The reverse is flat and undecorated. For similar see: British Museum, no. 1988,0712.1; The Cleveland Museum of Art, 106A Migration Period & Coptic

Size: 34mm x 24mm x 5mm; Weight: 9.82g

Prov: Ex Mayfair collection, acquired from an Ancient Art Gallery; formerly acquired on the London art market pre-2000

RESERVED 

£350 (P&P FREE to all locations) #1843

A circular bronze brooch decorated in cloisonne technique with a central motif of a four-petalled flower formed in opaque white inlay, set against a background of alternating deep and pale blue glass. The design is enclosed within a raised border with a projecting lug on each side. The reverse preserves the remains of the catchplate and pin mechanism. For similar see: British Museum, no. 1996,0902.1

Size: 24mm x 24mm x 8mm; Weight: 5.28g

Prov: From the private collection of an Essex gentleman; previously in an old British collection formed in the 1990s

£320 (P&P FREE to all locations) #1844

A silver lunula-shaped pendant with thick arms tapering to pointed terminals. The suspension loop is ribbed and set atop a twisted wire border. For similar see: British Museum, no. 1921,1101.358

Size: 28mm x 24mm x 5mm; Weight: 4.82g

Prov: From an old, private, British collection formed in the 1990s, verified by Sami Fortune, an ancient jewellery specialist

£260 (P&P FREE to all locations) #1845

A tongue shaped small bronze strap end, one face decorated with entwined serpents. Strap ends in the Anglo-Saxon period were highly visible, personal items and therefore an important means of expression. Their split ends would have encased materials such as leather and would have been secured in place with rivets.

Size: 42mm x 9mm x 3mm; Weight: 5.18g

Prov: From the collection of an East London gentleman, acquired 1950s-1970s, thence by descent

£80 (P&P FREE to all locations)

A nice example with pin and catch plate intact. The La Tene culture was located in the Danube area spreading as far as Britain to the west and the Ukraine in the east, flourishing during the iron age until the Roman occupation. They had a stylish form of Celtic art deriving from the Hallstatt culture and are famous for their metalwork. They were absorbed into the Gallo-Roman culture with Roman invasion and occupation.

Size: 41mm x 15mm x 16mm; Weight: 5.35g

Ref: R. Hattatt's 'Ancient Brooches', p.289, item 225

£70 (P&P FREE to all locations)

This special little piece is made from Carnelian (Chalcedony) or possibly Agate and was made during Ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom to Late Period, dated around 1550BC-332AD

Condition: Very fine, with deposits, the attachment loop is entire and it could therefore be wearable.The anatomical features are outlined by grooves and this is mirrored on the other side, which is unusual.

Size: 13.5mm x 9mm x 4mm. 0.45g

History note: Although the scarab beetle is the insect most associated with Ancient Egypt, the fly (afet) also played a role as a mystical symbol. Amulets in the shape of flies were probably worn in the belief that wearing one would ward off real flies and protect from disease. It has also been suggested that the wearer believed that the amulet might impart some of the persistent nature of the fly, indeed, pharaohs handed out military awards in the shape of flies. They would have been made from metal, semi-precious stones or bone and worn singly or in large numbers on necklaces.

£160 (P&P FREE to all locations) #1582

Medieval base metal trade weight in a shield shape displaying a lion rampant within a roped border, hole at the top. Weights were usually made from lead and shield-shaped weights were used by merchants to weigh goods in markets, fairs and shops. The most common weights were 8, 4, 2 and 1 ounces, our is approximately 2 oz.

Size: 33mm; Weight: 65.94g/2oz or 1/8lb

Prov: Ex Hansons

£55 (P&P FREE to all locations) #1622

A beautiful Roman open work silver legionary applique with cornucopia. The applique has a conical body, recurve edge and shells adorned with moulded lines in a circular motif. Two rivets are still present, indicating the original use on flat metal such as armour.

Size: 75mm x 70mm; Weight: 40g

Prov: Ex Apollo Art Auctions; prevously in London gallery collection, previously from a private US collection acquired in the 1990s.

£780 (P&P FREE to all locations) #1632

A beautiful Roman zoomorphic brooch with remnants of red and blue enamelling in cells; depicting horse and rider. As is very often the case, the pin is missing as this was probably made from iron and the first to disintegrate. 

Grade: VF

Size: 32mm x 30mm, 4.47g

Ref: Hattatt p161, number 160

Prov: Found Norfolk, comes with old dealers ticket

£180 (FREE P&P to all locations) #1660

A Roman bottle blown from a pale yellow glass. The vessel features a bulbous body, which tapers into a tall cylindrical neck and terminates into an out-splayed, tubular rim. Iridescence and earthly encrustations on the surface. Some environmental damage near the base.

Size: 115mm x 60mm; Weight: 44g

Prov: Ex Apollo Art Auctions, London; prevously in UK collections.

£160 (P&P FREE to all locations)  

This beautiful jar has a tactile globular body showing swirls of colour in the matrix, it has a narrow neck and flat curving rim. The grade is Very Fine with a few very small natural flaws to the stone but no accidental or environmental damage. There are remnants of encrustations to the internal space.

Size: 110mm x 10mm; Weight: 460g

Prov: Ex Apollo Art Auctions, London; prevously in Uk collections.

£460 (P&P FREE to all locations)

A miniature axehead that was worn either as a talisman or used as a votive offering to the gods. The suspension loop allows it to still be worn, so would make a great gift. Can be supplied with either a leather thong type necklace or with a small display film suspension box (please message choice on purchase.) Copper alloy with patina. 22mm x 9mm. Only 1 left.

£70 (P&P FREE to all locations) 

Pendant with necklace - click here (use these links with mobiles) Pendant with display box - click here

A set of five authentic stone age arrowheads (otherwise known as points) from the Neolithic Saharan regions. Great for a historical gift or study. The points shown are typical and numerous sets are available.

£10 (P&P FREE to all locations)