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A BACTRIAN CALCITE BEAKER
Circa 2nd Millennium B.C.
With straight thin walls, on a small circular foot, 14cm high
Provenance: UK collection, London, acquired in the late 1990s.
£400-600
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TWO ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN ARTEFACTS
Circa 2nd-early 1st Millennium B.C.
Including a Hittite terracotta monkey, seated, with round eyes and mouth, circa 2000 B.C., 7.5cm; and a Persian bronze dagger, the hilt decorated on each side with four horse profile heads, circa 1000 B.C., 21cm long (2)
Provenance: English private collection, formed before 1960.
£200-300
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A SMALL COLLECTION OF ANTIQUITIES AND OTHER OBJECTS
Including a Babylonian terracotta plaque fragment moulded with a lion, inscribed at the back in pencil 'H. Rook, NY, Aug 82', circa 2000-1800 B.C., 7cm long; a late Roman glass miniature vessel, circa 4th-6th Century A.D., 2cm long; an Ottoman ring with round carnelian intaglio depicting a doe, ring size 'T'; a rock crystal domed stamp seal, Not Ancient; and five fossil shark teeth (9)
Provenance: English private collection. The Babylonian plaque: with Harmer Rooke, NY, in 1982. The Roman glass jug: Bonhams 23 October 2012, lot 320 (part); Malter Galleries, CA, in 2000. Formerly Californian private collection.
£350-450
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AN ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN SILVER PIN
Circa 2nd Millennium B.C.
The thick tapering pin decorated with incised chevrons, the terminal in the shape of three stylised birds in profile with conjoined outstretched wings, 19cm long
Provenance: UK collection, London, formed in the late 1970s.
£250-300
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FOUR LURISTAN BRONZE PINS
Iran, circa 10th-7th Century B.C.
With spherical terminals, three examples with radial spikes below, 13.5cm-19cm long (4)
Provenance: Dr Hans Peter Trimbacher Collection, Austria, acquired in the mid-1990s. Dr Trimbacher is the architect that restructured the castle of Burg Plankenstein in Lower Austria in the mid-1970s.
£200-300
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A MESOPOTAMIAN SERPENTINE CYLINDER SEAL
Old Babylonian, circa 1900-1700 B.C.
Engraved with a Lamma goddess, standing, wearing a horned headdress and long robe, both hands raised in greeting, facing a male god wearing a hat and holding a mace, between them a star in the sky, with a three lines cuneiform inscription for the owner 'Ubar-Shamash, son of Ludlul-Sîn, servant of the god Dagan', 28mm high
Provenance: UK private collection acquired in the 1980s. Accompanied by a copy of a typewritten description and translation signed by Prof. Wilfred G. Lambert, dated August 1992.
£500-700
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TWO MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEAL FRAGMENTS
Circa 1900-750 B.C.
An Old Babylonian hematite cylinder seal fragment, finely engraved with the goddess IΕ‘tar standing in the centre, resting her foot on a crouching lion, holding a mace and the lion's lead in one hand and a scimitar in the other, flanked by a worshipper offering a kid, the remains of another figure on the other side, circa 1900-1700 B.C.; and a Neo-Assyrian chalcedony cylinder seal fragment drilled with a seated goddess facing a worshipper, a winged bearded genie behind, circa 900-750 B.C., 23mm-32mm long (2)
Provenance: UK private collection acquired in the 1980s. Each accompanied by a copy of a typewritten description and translation signed by Prof. Wilfred G. Lambert, dated February and March 1992.
£250-350
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TWO MESOPOTAMIAN HARDSTONE CYLINDER SEALS
Circa 1500-1000 B.C.
Including a Kassite brown stone seal engraved with a standing figure wearing a long robe and an eight-line cuneiform inscription for the owner 'Lusi-ana-nur-Ninurta', the rest unintelligible, circa 1500-1300 B.C.; and a Middle Elamite red stone seal with a seated deity and a worshipper, a three-line cuneiform inscription 'May the bearer of this seal have free access to the Palace, may things go well for him', circa 1400-1000 B.C., 36mm-43mm long (2)
Provenance: UK private collection acquired in the 1980s. Each accompanied by a copy of a typewritten description and translation signed by Prof. Wilfred G. Lambert, one dated February 1992.
£300-400
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NINE SASANIAN HARDSTONE SEALS
Iran, circa 4th-5th Century A.D.
All dome shaped, pierced for suspension, of banded agate, green jasper, chalcedony and mottled stone, all engraved with various animals and male profile portraits, some with Pahlavi inscriptions,11mm-22mm long (9)
Provenance: UK private collection acquired in the 1970s.
£800-1,200
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FIFTEEN SASANIAN HARDSTONE SEALS
Iran, circa 4th-6th Century A.D.
All dome-shaped and pierced for suspension, of chalcedony, agate, green jasper and other hardstones, variously engraved including winged human figures, a sphinx, and various animals, 9mm-19mm long; and a hardstone plaque, possibly Not Ancient (16)
Provenance: UK private collection acquired in the 1970s.
£700-900
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AN EARLY SASANIAN SILVER PHIALE MESOMPHALOS
Iran, circa 3rd-5th Century A.D.
Of hemispherical shape with raised central omphalos, decorated with slightly spiralled fluting, 15cm diam
Provenance: UK Collection, London, acquired in the late 1970s.
£800-1,200
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A SOUTH ARABIAN LIMESTONE STELE FRAGMENT
Circa 1st Century B.C./A.D.
Carved in relief with a stylised head, the large almond-shaped eyes recessed for missing inlays, with remains of red slip, 16cm high
Provenance: German private collection, Mr S., Cologne, acquired in the 1980s.
£400-600
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A KHORASAN BRONZE OIL LAMP FILLER
Persia, circa 12th-13th Century A.D.
In the shape of a bird with curved beak and folded wings, the tail forming the neck and rim of the hollow body, on a raised circular foot, 10cm high
Provenance: London art market, in 1992.
£200-300
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A GROUP OF ISLAMIC GLASS AND TERRACOTTA ITEMS
circa 9th-12th Century A.D.
Including a blue glass jar with two bands of hexagons containing a spiral, alternating with two bands of lozenges, 11.5cm high; a green glass bottle with six-petalled rosettes alternating with spikes, notches on the shoulder, 7cm high; and an opaque turquoise ink well with rosettes and circles on the body, 4.5cm high; a green glass mould-blown fragment with lions in relief, 5cm long; and a Byzantine terracotta bowl with yellow drip glaze decoration, 13cm diam (5)
Provenance: UK private collection, with Christopher Sheppard in 1998. The glass fragment: Austrian private collection; Fredrik Robert Martin (1868-1933) Collection, Sweden.
£300-500
115 Y
A FATIMID IVORY INLAID WOOD FRAGMENT
Egypt, circa 12th Century A.D.
Finely carved in two registers separated by bands of geometric decoration, the upper section showing remains of an inscription, the lower with scrolls, 10.5cm long
Provenance: Austrian private collection. Fredrik Robert Martin (1868-1933) Collection, Sweden, with old collection no 49.
£500-700
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AN ISLAMIC PAINTED WOOD ELEMENT
Syria or Iraq, circa 10th-12th Century A.D.
In the shape of a horse with saddle and bridles, with remains of red paint, 19.5cm long
Provenance: Austrian private collection. Fredrik Robert Martin (1868-1933) Collection, Sweden, with old collection no 53.
£500-700
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A PAIR OF QAJAR GOLD-DAMASCENED STEEL CALLIGRAPHER'S SCISSORS
Persia, circa 18th Century A.D.
With long pointed hollowed blades, the handles in the shape of animal heads with details finely added with incision, the rings in the form of a swan neck and head, the gold-damascened inscription on both sides above the openwork palmette, for 'Hadji Muhammad', 27cm long
Provenance: Austrian private collection. Fredrik Robert Martin (1868-1933) Collection, Sweden, with old collection no 65.
£1,000-1,500
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A ROMAN GOLD AND CARNELIAN INTAGLIO RING
Circa 3rd Century A.D.
The oval cabochon gem finely engraved with a biga, a winged Eros pulling the reins of the two horses, set in a hollow gold ring with high bezel, ring size 'Q/R', 18mm length of the intaglio
Provenance: English private collection, London, acquired in the 1970s.
£1,000-1,500
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A ROMAN GOLD AND NICOLO INTAGLIO RING
Circa 2nd Century A.D.
The solid cast flat hoop with broad shoulders, set with an oval nicolo gem engraved with the Greek characters 'HOZ', 1cm length of intaglio, ring size 'G'
Provenance: English private collection of Ms Barbara Robertson, purchased in the 1980s, thence by descent.
£500-700
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A PAIR OF ROMAN GOLD, GLASS AND PEARL EARRINGS
Circa 2nd-3rd Century A.D.
The hoop earrings with a pendant decorated with a green glass bead and a pearl, each approx. 4cm long (2)
Provenance: English private collection, London, of a Harley Street professional, formed in the 1970s-1980s.
£350-450
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AN EARLY ISLAMIC GLASS BEAD NECKLACE
Circa 8th-11th Century A.D.
Composed of four core-formed tubular beads with feathering, four spherical examples, two other barrel-shaped and a tear-shaped pendant with white trailing zig zag, all mounted in a modern necklace, approx. 68cm long
Provenance: English private collection of Ms Barbara Robertson, purchased in the 1980s, thence by descent.
£200-300
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SIX ROMAN AMULETS
Circa 1st Century B.C./A.D.
Including three Romano-Egyptian blue glazed composition phallic amulets; and three Roman bronze 'mano fica' amulets, 1.6-1.8cm long (6)
Provenance: English private collection, formed before 1960.
£100-150
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A COLLECTION OF ANCIENT JEWELLERY
Circa 2nd-10th Century A.D.
Seven Roman intaglios, including a round cloudy chalcedony example engraved with a warrior next to his horse, a carnelian gem with Athena, a banded agate with Hermes, an oval amethyst cabochon with winged nike, two gems with male profile heads and an agate cameo of Medusa, 9mm-15mm long; a Byzantine gold openwork earring, the lunate plate composed of six rows of delicate spirals, four loops around the edge from which plaited chain pendants hang, only two partially remaining, approx. 6cm long; and a double Islamic glass bead, marvered with feather pattern, 4cm long (9)
Provenance: UK private collection, London, formed in the 1970s.
£350-450
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A GROUP OF MISCELLANEOUS ANCIENT ARTEFACTS AND BEADS
Circa 1st Millennium B.C. to Islamic Period
Including a Greek black glazed fragment of an African man and a lekythos fragment, 3cm high; a Colima terracotta figure head; a Luristan bronze finial fragment; ten Coptic bone pendants in the shape of arms and a pendant in the shape of a stylised doll, 3cm-4cm long; two Achaemenid gold repoussé plaques decorated with palmettes, one with remains of bronze core, 3.2cm long; a Qajar enamelled bronze vase fragment, 7.5cm; a group of hardstone, glass and metal beads, including Islamic core-formed beads, and other later beads; and other After the Antique items including a Canaanite style idol, a gold diadem and a gold pendant, Not Ancient (a lot)
Provenance: acquired by the present owner in London and the Home Counties between the 1960s and 1980.
£100-200
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A CORAL, TURQUOISE AND MUMMY BEAD NECKLACE
Composed of small round cabochon turquoise beads, long tubular coral beads and spacer and tubular green glazed composition mummy beads, all mounted together in four different rows, with small bell terminals, 36cm long
Provenance: English private collection, formed before 1960.
£80-120
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A EUROPEAN BRONZE TORC
Bronze Age, circa 1400-1100 B.C.
Of round cross-section, tapering towards the looped terminals, decorated with twisted detail, 14cm diam
Provenance: UK art market, acquired prior to 1980; formerly in the Maurice Braham collection.
£200-300
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A EUROPEAN BRONZE SPECTACLE ORNAMENT
Bronze Age, circa 1500-1100 B.C.
Composed of two spirals, 7.5cm long
Provenance: UK art market, acquired prior to 1980; formerly in the Maurice Braham collection.
£150-200
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A LATE ROMAN GILT BRONZE CROSSBOW FIBULA
Circa 4th-5th Century A.D.
With three melon-shaped knops, the ribbed bow with central twisted section, the U-shaped catchplate with ring to secure the pin, 9cm long
Provenance: Dr Hans Peter Trimbacher Collection, Austria, acquired in the mid-1990s. Dr Trimbacher is the architect that restructured the castle of Burg Plankenstein in Lower Austria in the mid-1970s.
£400-600
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A BYZANTINE POTTERY GRENADE
Circa 8th-10th Century A.D.
The hollow piriform body decorated on the shoulder with stamped heart-shaped leaves, around the aperture for filling with oil, 13.5cm long
Provenance: UK private collection, acquired prior to 1980.
£100-150
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TWO EARLY MEDIEVAL BRONZE ARTEFACTS
Circa 6th-11th Century A.D.
Including an Anglo-Saxon applied disc brooch insert, decorated in repoussé with central rosette within a band of C-shaped elements and an outer band of lozenges, circa 6th-7th Century A.D., 3.9cm diam; and early Norman zoomorphic strap end, the terminal in the shape of a 'talbot' or hunting dog, circa 11th Century A.D., 4cm long (2)
Provenance: the disc brooch ex Nigel Mills Collection, UK, acquired in the late 1990s-early 2000s. The strap end found in Suffolk prior to 1997.
Literature: this type of Anglo-Saxon disc brooches come from Kent, cf. MacGregor & Bolick, A Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections, 1993, p. 76.
£200-300
| The following twenty-two lots (131-152) come from the collection of Allan Course, experimental archaeologist and expert flintknapper specialising in British Prehistory. The collection was formed in the 1990s-early 2000s and all items were acquired on the UK art market.
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A LARGE BRITISH POLISHED STONE AXE HEAD
Neolithic Period, circa 3rd Millennium B.C.
Boat-shaped, with curved cutting edge, with central perforation for hafting, with collection number '70' in white ink, 23.5cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market. Found in Yorkshire by a farmer before WWII.
£250-350
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TWO BRITISH POLISHED STONE TOOLS
Neolithic Period, circa 3rd Millennium B.C.
Including a dark red stone mace head with horizontal cutting edge and central perforation, 9cm long; and a rare grey stone chisel, of oval cross-section, with slender pointed butt, 13.5cm long (2)
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
£400-600
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TWO BRITISH POLISHED STONE TOOLS
Neolithic Period, circa 3rd Millennium B.C.
Including a dark grey battle axe head with flaring cutting edges and central perforation, 12cm long; and a mace head, possibly from Yorkshire or the Midlands, of oval shape with central perforation for hafting, 8cm long (2)
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
£200-300
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A BRITISH POLISHED MOTTLED STONE AXE HEAD
Neolithic Period, circa 3rd Millennium B.C.
Possibly from Kent, boat-shaped, with curved cutting edge, flaring butt and central perforation for hafting, with collection number 'A64', 13.5cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
£200-300
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A BRITISH POLISHED WHITE STONE AXE HEAD
Neolithic Period, circa 3rd Millennium B.C.
Possibly from Sussex, with curved cutting edge and pointed butt, 19cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
£200-300
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A BRITISH POLISHED BLACK MOTTLED STONE AXE HEAD
Neolithic Period, circa 3rd Millennium B.C.
Possibly from Devon or Cornwall, with asymmetrical curved cutting edge and pointed butt, 15.5cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
£100-150
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A BRITISH GREY STONE AXE HEAD
Neolithic Period, circa 3rd Millennium B.C.
With slightly tapering knapped body and polished curved cutting edge, 17cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market. Found in Wymondham, Norfolk, in the late 1990s.
£100-150
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A BRITISH BRONZE AXE HEAD
Early Bronze Age, circa 1900-1500 B.C.
With ribbed flanges and curved cutting edge, the blade decorated on both sides with incised herringbone pattern, 13.5cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market. Found in North Lancashire in 1990.
£250-350
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A LARGE BRITISH BRONZE FLAT AXE HEAD
Early Bronze Age, circa 1900-1500 B.C.
With slightly curved cutting edge, both face decorated with incised horizontal zig-zag bands or 'rain marks' pattern, 18.5cm
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
Literature: a similar example with incised decoration found at Castle Rising, Norfolk, is now in the British Museum, inv. No. 1866,0627.10
£250-350
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A BRITISH BRONZE FLAT AXE HEAD
Early Bronze Age, circa 1900-1400 B.C.
Of Migdale type, with crescentic blade and curved butt, 11.5cm
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market. Found at Catton, Humberside, accompanied by a copy of a letter from Scunthorpe Borough Council documenting the find, dated January 1988.
£150-200
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A BRITISH BRONZE FLAT AXE HEAD
Early Bronze Age, circa 1900-1400 B.C.
Plain, with shallow flanges and almost straight cutting edge, 17cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market. Found at Caister-by-Norwich.
£150-200
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A BRITISH BRONZE AXE HEAD
Middle Bronze Age, circa 1400-1000 B.C.
With crescentic blade and flanges decorated with a 'rope' motif, 13cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
£200-300
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A BRITISH BRONZE DAGGER BLADE
Middle Bronze Age, circa 1400-1000 B.C.
Leaf-shaped with flat mid-rib, pierced for three rivets of which one still in place, 19.3cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
£150-200
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TWO BRITISH SOCKETED BRONZE SPEAR HEADS
Middle to Late Bronze Age, circa 1400-700 B.C.
Including one example with two loops, 14.5cm long: and another with leaf-shaped point, 12cm long (2)
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market. The looped spear head accompanied by a copy of an identification entry form from the Northampton Museums and Art Gallery, dated 29 April 1991.
£150-200
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TWO BRITISH BRONZE AXE HEADS
Middle Bronze Age, circa 1400-900 B.C.
Including a palstave with high triangular flanges and crescentic blade, 8.9cm long; and a miniature socketed axe head with curved cutting edge, 5.5cm long (2)
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market. The palstave found in Malton, North Yorkshire. The miniature axe head found at Chippenham, Cambridgeshire.
£200-300
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THREE BRITISH BRONZE PALSTAVES
Middle Bronze Age, circa 1400-1000 B.C.
A looped example with long flanges and central rib on both faces of the blade terminating with an 'arrowhead' design, 16.5cm long; a plain example with flared blade and side flanges, 16cm long; and another undecorated example with crescentic cutting edge, 13cm long (3)
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market. The decorated example found near Newbury, Berkshire. The other with flared blade found in Norfolk.
£300-400
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A BRITISH COPPER ALLOY SOCKETED HAMMER
Late Bronze Age, circa 900-700 B.C.
The alloy with a high content of lead, of rectangular cross-section and convex percussion face, moulded in two halves with visible casting seams, 8cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
£200-300
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A BRITISH BRONZE SOCKETED GOUGE
Late Bronze Age, circa 900-700 B.C.
With slightly expanded cutting straight edge, the socket open, formed by two flanges partially folded together, 25.7cm long
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
£150-250
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TWO BRITISH BRONZE AXE HEADS
Late Bronze Age, circa 1000-700 B.C.
A fine and rare example with round socket and loop, moulded with three vertical ribs ending in a round pellet decoration on both faces, 10.5cm long; and another large example with square socket and similar decoration, the ribs parallel, 12.5cm long (2)
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market. The smaller fine example found in Kent.
£200-300
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TWELVE BRITISH BRONZE MINIATURE TOOLS
Middle to Late Bronze Age, circa 1400-700 B.C.
Including a socketed gouge, a flanged chisel, six flat chisels, some with flaring blades, three points and a pin with round terminal, 4.5cm-12cm long (12)
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market.
£300-400
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FOUR BRITISH BRONZE BRACELETS
Middle to Late Bronze Age, circa 1400-700 B.C. and later
Including one with ribbed decoration, 7.3cm diam; one plain with flaring terminals, 7.5cm diam; and another with overlapping tapering ends, 8cm diam; and another later bronze bracelet, flat with incised geometric decoration and crosses, 6.3cm diam (4)
Provenance: Allan Course Collection, Sussex, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s, acquired on the UK art market. The plain example with flaring terminals from Sussex. The one with overlapping ends with white writing on the side 'River E. Anglia'.
£150-200
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