Antiquities & Artefacts

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.

115mm x 60mm; 44g

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

£160 (P&P FREE to all locations)  

A rich, black glazed cup with a bulbous body, gradually tapers to a base, while the short neck flares out into an everted rim. A short handle connects the shoulder with the mouth. Attic pottery was highly regarded in the ancient world and may have been used as a drinking cup or measuring tool. Some environmental damage, but remarkably good condition for its age!

110mm x 10mm; 460g

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

£210 (P&P FREE to all locations)  RESERVED

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 enviromental damage. There are remnants of encrustations to the internal space.

110mm x 10mm; 460g

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

£460 (P&P FREE to all locations)

With relative peace came a flood of new techniques for glass production in the Roman world. The original sand/cast method of glass making was replaced by glass blowing, which revolutionised their designs. It not only became cheaper but it allowed the addition of metals and minerals to colour the glass plus lovely forms of iridescence, as seen in our example. Glass became the most popular form of container for perfumes and medicines as it wasn’t porous.

21mm x 17mm high!, good grade, much of the iridescence remaining along with small ground encrustations. Fragile.

£70 (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. 2 available.

£70 (P&P FREE to all locations) 

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

Considered from the Merovingian period, this Gothic buckle has definite Roman styling and would have been worn by the higher status individual, possibly military due to its utilitarian rather than ornate design. There is one rivet left in place to the centre, sadly the others are missing.

25.27g, 53mm x 30mm

Grade: Fine+, from an American collector, previously from the Mansees collection formed in the 1950's.

£40 (P&P FREE to all locations) 

This is a rare, beautiful little grey clay ceramic slipper-shaped oil lamp with decoration. Only 62mm long and 40mm wide. These votive pieces were never meant to be used, but were made or bought as a sacred object, as a devotional offering to a god or deity to gain favour or good luck. The object's subject would indicate it would be for a domestic transition. Probably Ancient Greek/Roman or Egyptian in origin, there is slight chipping to the spout area. 

£130 (P&P FREE to all locations) #660a

A bronze harness pendant of four lobes with interstitial spurs and a attachment lug, the design is of a central square with lion passant and a group of three flowers in each lobe; possibly the arms of Thomas de Brews.

The reverse of the pendant is plain.

Size: 43mm, 13.6g

Grade: VF

Ref: cf. Ashley, S., Medieval Horse Furniture in Norfolk, attributed here to the Brews or Neville family.

Prov: Found Romney Marsh, Kent, UK

RESERVED £210 (P&P FREE to all locations)

The engraving is home themed, with vases of plants and amphora(?). It comes with an old description which quotes that it was probably at one time tinned, a cheaper version than silver plating. 

The apterture is 19mm across and could be worn if wished.

Found in Yorkshire and came from the collection of Michael Green.

Size: 4.6g, external dimension 23mm, bezel 18.5mm wide

£90 (P&P free to all locations)

From the 2nd century AD Roman Britain. There are four fantastic fibulae in stock, you will be sent one at random. They are all from the collection of the famous Chris Rudd, Celtic specialist.

Av 55mm x 40mm

£42 each (P&P FREE to all locations)

From the 4th century AD Roman Britain. This medium sized, bronze fibula with its onion-shaped knops, was popular with the Roman soldier as a rugged and sturdy brooch for military cloaks. Articulating pin, but very end missing.

77mm x 40mm x 32h

£65 (P&P FREE to all locations)

This late medieval ring was used to indicate friendship. It was found, and from, a Dutch collection. As it is wearable, it would make a lovely gift. Interior band diameter 17mm. Suppied in a box.

£80 (P&P FREE to all locations)

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)

Although the connection with Roman soldiers is unproven, the shape of this amulet hints at a Roman short sword or gladius particularly the Pompeian type. Most have a hole for suspension, and the fact that there is a wear line would indicate that it has been worn rather than attached like a mount. Being symmetrical would also indicate the use as a jewelry or amulet fixture. Its final use as a votive object is very likely. 41mm x 9mm, copper alloy, dark patina.

£85 (P&P FREE to UK other locations please ask)

Authentic Roman oil lamp, ancient mould-made process from terracotta clay (looks more red in the hand). The condition is superb with no chips or cracks to the clay through use or during firing. Flat base.

9.4cm x 5.6cm, 60g

Prov: Ex Apollo auctions, London previously a London collection acquired in the 1980's.

£110 (P&P FREE to all locations)

The upper section of a green-blue shabti figure, with folded arms, holding crook and flail, wearing wig and false beard, the hieroglyphics runs down the front and back of the figure.

The base is missing and the broken base has been placed in foam to allow for display if you wish.

78mm high, 51g

Provenance: This piece has been the property of two London collections since the 70's. A specialist's report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan is supplied.

The heiroglyphics on the front have been determined to be: 

'To illuminate, the Osiris....' this would have been followed by the name and possibly the title of the deceased on the now absent portion. On the back it reads 'True of voice(?), born to Ami-Tar(?) the mother's name being incomplete and difficult to decipher.

This wonderful Ancient Egyptian artifact is a true piece of history!

RESERVED

£300 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations please ask first) #658

A delightful silver openwork plate brooch with La Tene motifs of trumpets and curls. Pin (corroded as made from iron) present as is catchplate. Not wearable. 46mm, 8.99g 

Prov: Ex TimeLIne Auctions, previously a UK private collection.

£160 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations please ask)

This lovely example of an multicoloured, enamelled bronze stag brooch is unfortunately incomplete, but this doesn't detract from its beauty. 38mm x 35mm.

(If you wish to see more images, just ask)

£175 (P&P FREE to UK, other locations ask)

A beautiful Roman disc brooch with three coloured enamelling, mostly intact, of red, blue and white triangles forming a sunburst pattern. 

There are four knops to the edges and one has a head loop that is unfortunately broken. Pin missing.

AVF

Size: 32mm x 27mm x 10mm, 5.14g

Prov: Found Yorkshie. Ex TimeLine Auctions.

RESERVED

£130 (+P&P, non-UK locations please ask first)