15th Century and Earlier Furniture

Obverse: head right, with mustache and earring, wearing diadem and kyrbasia Reverse: fire temple of Ahura-Mazda, above, half-figure of Ahura-Mazda, to inner left, Baydād (Bagadat) st...

Obverse: helmeted head of Roma right; X (mark of value) below chin Reverse: incuse Weight: 3.84 g Grade: Very Fine Mint: Rome Reference: Crawford 273/1; Sydenham 532

This Chinese Brown Glazed Earthenware Jar from the Song dynasty is a remarkable piece despite its age and slight damage. The jar features a rich brown glaze that is typical of Song dynasty ceramics, known for their simplicity and elegance. Although the jar has a small chip on the lip, this imperfection does not diminish its beauty or historical significance. In fact, it adds to the jar's character, serving as a reminder of its long history and the passage of time. The jar's shape is typical of Song dynasty earthenware, with a rounded body and a slightly flared lip. The glaze has a beautiful luster, and the overall design exudes a sense of understated beauty and sophistication. Despite its age and minor damage, this Song dynasty jar...

ITEM: Scarab with spiral design MATERIAL: Steatite CULTURE: Egyptian PERIOD: Second Intermediate Period, 1700 – 1550 B.C DIMENSIONS: 12 mm x 9 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE...

Museum quality handwoven textile fragment, featuring human faces ,or geometric motifs , professionally mounted on cotton matte , in very decorative wood frame as shadows box . The t...

Obverse: P CLODIVS / M F., laureate head of Apollo right; lyre to left Reverse: Diana Lucifera standing right, bow and quiver over her shoulder, holding torches BEAUTIFUL TONING W...

Museum quality handwoven textile fragment, featuring human , king or Martian motif professionally mounted on silk matte , in very decorative vintage wood frame as shadows box The tex...

I would like to introduce Korean antique pottery with a very rare design. This is a vase-shaped container made in the early Joseon Dynasty of Ko...

A Yue celadon vessel from the Jin Dynasty period, notable for its characteristic greenish-glazed pottery which was prominent during this time. The vessel features a globular body wit...

Obverse: IVLIA PAVLA AVG, draped bust right, showing later coiffure with small bun Reverse: CONCORDIA, Concordia seated left, holding patera, star in left field Beautifully detaile...

Obverse: head of Demeter left, wearing barley wreath Reverse: ΜΕΤA, ear of barley, pitchfork above leaf in left field Weight: 7.84 g Grade: About extremely fine Reference: SNG ANS 4...

Obverse: helmeted head of Athena right Reverse: Pegasos flying left, triskeles below VERY RARE Beautiful toning Weight: 6.80 g Grade: Good Extremely Fine Reference: Pegasi 19 va...

Baltic Region Amber is fossilized tree resin, which has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times. This is an unusually large specimen of butterscotch ...

Obverse: head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with olive leaves over visor and spiral palmette Reverse: owl standing right with head fa...

ITEM: Scarab with prenomen for Amenhotep II MATERIAL: Steatite CULTURE: Egyptian PERIOD: New Kingdom, XVIIIth Dynasty, 1143 – 1417 B.C DIMENSIONS: 15 mm x 11 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex American egyptologist collection, active in the early part of the 20th century, brought to the US with the family in 1954. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 4 to 6 weeks. Amenhotep II, the seventh pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, ruled during the New Kingdom period around the 15th century BCE. Renowned for his military prowess, Amenhotep II expanded the Egyptian empire through numerous campaigns, solidifying control over territories in Nubia and the Levant. His expeditions into Syria and Canaan, notably the Battle of Megiddo, showcased his strategic acumen as he secured victories against local rebellions and coalitions, leaving behind inscriptions and reliefs that celebrated his triumphs. Beyond his military endeavors, Amenhotep II also left a mark through his architectural projects, albeit less pronounced compared to other pharaohs. He oversaw the construction of temples and monuments across Egypt, contributing to the cultural landscape of the time. Additionally, Amenhotep II was known for his personal interests in sports and physical activities, with depictions showcasing him engaging in hunting, chariot racing, and archery, reflecting the pursuits of Egyptian nobility and emphasizing the ideal of the warrior-king. While Amenhotep II's reign brought stability and prosperity to Egypt, his legacy is overshadowed by some of his predecessors and successors. Despite his military successes and contributions to Egyptian architecture, he is not as widely celebrated as figures like Thutmose III or Ramses II.

Maya Poly-chrome painted pottery bowl Guatemala/ central America late Classic period, circa A.D. 550-950, A  bowl of rounded  bottom circular form,  painted with a frieze of  monkey...

A pair of antique Sukhothai pottery brown glazed jars with naturally running glaze on the body, natural shell and barnacle from shipwreck. Age: Thailand, Sukhothai Period, 14th - 16...

This pottery has a bulbous body with two small, protruding handles near its widest part. The pottery features horizontal bands of patterns, which include a sequence of geometric shap...

ITEM: Scarab as a commemorative of Ramesses II or prenomen of Shoshenq III MATERIAL: Black steatite CULTURE: Egyptian PERIOD: New Kingdom to Third Intermediate Period, 1279 – 664 B.C...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

The crane, a traditional symbol of longevity and auspiciousness, is prominently placed at the center, creating a harmonious and aesthetically balanced effect. The border of the dish ...

Intense purple latte aesthetic grape agate. A wonderful, sculptural arrangement! Origin: Indonesia

Pre Columbian Colima Dog Ancient West Mexico Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima Ancient Mexico C 200 BC –400 AD A attractive seated Colima dog v...

Obverse: head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with olive leaves over visor and spiral palmette Reverse: owl standing right with head fa...

This is hard earthenware made during the Goryeo period in Korea. This vase was made around the 10th century. The walls of the vase are thin, but because they are baked at high tempe...

Aztec Spider Monkey with Wind God Regalia This sculpture portrays a spider monkey (Ateles geofroyi) wearing the regalia associated with the Aztec Wind God, Quetzalcoatl-Ehecatl. Th...

The Boshan incense burner is particularly notable among Han dynasty incense burners for its unique shape. Designed to resemble a mountain or even a mythical mountain, it is characterized by its pointed peaks that rise upwards. These peaks often function as vents for the smoke, creating an effect reminiscent of a volcanic eruption. The body of the incense burner is typically round, with multiple small peaks surrounding a central, larger peak. The material used is mainly ceramic, although there are instances where they were made of bronze. It is presumed that this incense burner was used for religious or ceremonial purposes during its time. The colors of these burners are usually in shades of pale green or greyish brown, with the application of glaze to achieve a variety of colors on occasion. Such incense burners are often found in tombs or ritual sites, and their purpose was to burn incense for purification of space or to produce pleasant aromas. The Boshan incense burner also represents a significant cultural heritage, showcasing the craftsmanship and artistic values of the period. Today, it is considered a quintessential example of ancient Chinese art. Period : Han-Jin Dynasty Type : Incense Burner Medium : Yue celadon...

This huge, Museum-quality Spinosaur tooth is completely in tact with no repairs. This incredible specimen includes a display box for preservation and display purposes. Spinosaurus (m...

The dish is decorated to the centre with a moulded appliqué dragon chasing the flaming pearl surrounded by a carved stylised foliage band at the cavetto. The moulded fluted exterior ...

This guardian figure represents a fusion of human and beast, a common motif symbolizing protection in Chinese lore. Crafted from pottery, the figure is a testament to the era's sculp...

South Arabian Alabaster Inscription Calcite Alabaster circa 1st century A.D. ‘’Consequently, neither white marble of Paros nor any other stone which men admire can be compared with the precious stones of Arabia, since their whiteness is most brilliant, their weight the heaviest, and their smoothness leaves no room for other stones to surpass them.’’ - Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Book II, 52.9 This inscription, finely worked on an alabaster tablet, is a remarkably well preserved example of Ancient South Arabian script, with its distinct bold, angular forms, written in the Qatabanic dialect - that is, the dialect spoken by the people of the kingdom of Qataban, which ruled much of modern day Yemen from the 7th Century B.C. to the 2nd Century A.D. The text, which reads: ‘[... ...]sa?d and Ma?add?i- / (of the lineage) of Hawfa- / She entrusted Anb- / against any malfeasance (which would remove it) from its place’ - indicates that it likely served to commemorate a temple offering. The quality of the script, incised so neatly into the surface of the alabaster, tells us that this piece was commissioned by somebody of considerable wealth and prestige, employing a scribe of equally considerable expertise. South Arabia was known throughout the ancient world for its incredible wealth - so much so that the Romans termed the region ‘Arabia Felix’ - literally, ‘Happy, or Fortunate, Arabia.’ That wealth was built largely on the trade of spices and incense, in which the Kingdom of Qataban played a major part. According to Pliny the Elder, this was the sole country through which frankincense could be exported, first being collected in the city of Shabwa, on the South Arabian coast, and from there travelling by camel up to Gaza, to be shipped all across the Mediterranean - not only that, but all growers of myrrh across Arabia were required to give a quarter of their yield to the king of the Qatabanians. As such, the kingdom became exceedingly rich and powerful, and Pliny goes on to tell us that ‘The nations of the Larendani and the Catabani, and the Gebanitæ [...] occupy a great number of towns, the largest of which are Nagia, and Thomna (the capital of Qataban) with sixty-five temples, a number which fully bespeaks its size.’ Because of the nature of its exports, frankincense in particular - the ‘sweat of of the gods’ according to the Egyptian Book of the Dead, and perhaps most famous as one of the three gifts brought to the newborn Christ - being closely associated with the divine, South Arabia’s reputation in antiquity was as a mysterious, almost sacred, and - crucially - extraordinarily wealthy region, at the very edge of the known world; in the words of Herodotus: ‘’Enough of marvels, and yet the land of Arabia gives off a scent as sweet as if divine.’’ This inscription invokes the protection of god Anbay, the judge-oracle of the chief god ‘Amm, who he served as an attendant. Much of what we know of the religious life of the ancient South Arabians comes to us from early Islamic texts, describing what is known in Islamic scholarship as ‘Jahiliyyah’ - the age before the advent of Islam in Arabia. What comes across in much of these texts is that these religious practices placed a great deal of emphasis on sacred stones, perhaps linked to the brilliance of the alabaster which is local to the region, and which a great many of the cult-objects produced in this time are made from. Hisham ibn-Al-Kalbi’s Book of Idols records: ‘’The Arabs were passionately fond of worshipping idols [...] Whenever a traveller stopped at a place or station in order to rest or spend the night, he would select for himself four stones, pick out the finest among them and adopt it as his god, and use the remaining three as supports for his cooking-pot.’’ This inscription was once in the collection of the intrepid British-Australian travel...

The Seymchan meteorite is a pallasite meteorite found in Russia in the settlement of Seymchan. Discovered in 1967, it is one of only a few pallasite meteorites - a type of meteorite ...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

This huge, Museum-quality Spinosaur tooth is completely in tact with no repairs. This incredible specimen includes a display box for preservation and display purposes. Spinosaurus (m...

ITEM: Romano-Egyptian cartonnage mummy mask depicting a female head MATERIAL: Linen and Gesso CULTURE: Egyptian, Roman period PERIOD: 1st Century B.C – 1st Century A.D DIMENSIONS: 20...

On offer is a near pair antique Korean ceramic vase from the end of Goryeo to the beginning of Joseon period (circa 14-15th). The vases feature cel...

It features a depiction of Tripurantaka Murti, as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. This relief was carved from red sandstone, most likely in Central India, circa the 10th or 11th Cent...

This large, translucent piece of amber is from the Dominican Republic and is an estimated 16 to 25 million years old. Amber is fossilized tree resin and is considered a mineraloid. T...

Magnificent Aztec Basalt Eagle head, with powerful hooked beak, piercing eyes, and a fully-feathered head. The sculptor Highlighted the power of the head by finely burnishing the b...

A medieval English alabaster statue, possibly dating as far back as the late 14th / early 15th century, mounted on one of our exclusive large display plinths. Well weathered over the centuries, this 600-year-old statue depicts a medieval cloaked figure, possibly a monk, offering a glimpse into English architecture and sculpture of the Middle Ages. This sculpture is possibly made from Nottingham alabaster. During the 14th and 15th centuries, Nottingham was the centre of alabaster carving and painting. Alabaster works were mostly made as small alabaster models with religious themes. During the 16th century Reformation, many alabaster carvings were destroyed under King Henry VIII's rule, making any surviving examples even more significant. Provenance From the collection of Peter Hone (b. 1941). A master plaster caster, he is an expert and experienced collector, building up an extraordinary, museum-worthy collection of items in his one-bedroom flat in London W11...

A refined pottery vase boasting an elegant silhouette and intricate impressed and applied decoration. The lovely jar exhibits a flared and folded rim, a corseted neck, and a broad sh...

Decorated with floral and foliate reserves and clouds; lappets at base and leaves at neck. Dates : 15th century Le Dynasty Region : North Annam Type : Yuhuchun Vase Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Hoi An Ship Reference : 1) Art Gallery of Greater Victoria - A vase from the wreck of the Hoi An 2) Butterfield Treasures Hoi An Hoard...

An impressive skull of an Edmontosaurus, a large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, 68-66 million years ago. The three rows of sixty or more teeth on either side of the jaw, known as the ‘dental battery’, mark the Edmontosaurus as part of the Hadrosauridae, or duckbill family of dinosaurs. It belongs to the flat-skulled, or solid-crested, Hadrosaurinae, which replaced the older hollow-crested hadrosaurs. Edmontosaurus was one of the last non-avian dinosaurs to ever exist, living shortly before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. The Edmontosaurus was named in 1917 by Lawrence Lambe, after a partial specimen from Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. The existence of large Edmontosaur bone beds...

ITEM: Aryballos depicting a horse head MATERIAL: Pottery CULTURE: Greek, Corinthian PERIOD: 7th Century B.C DIMENSIONS: 62 mm x 55 mm diameter CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: E...

This jar features a carved design, which is typical of Cizhou ware. It has a creamy white and brown color scheme, and the prominent decoration of lotus flower, which is a common motif in Chinese art and culture, symbolizing purity and enlightenment. The carving technique involves coating the vessel with a layer of white slip (liquid clay), then carving away parts of it to create the design, revealing the darker clay body beneath. This technique allows for a strong contrast between the background and the carved motif. Period : Song-Yuan Dynasty Type : Jar Medium : Cizhou Ware Size : 21.5 cm(Height), 11cm(Mouth Diameter) Provenance : Acquired in 1999, Hongkong * Cizhou Ware Cizhou is the name given to a number of stonewares, grey or buff, of varying degrees of hardness, with painted, incised or carved decoration on a clay slip. These stonewares were not only made in the region of Cizhou, Hebei Province, but in several provinces of China during the Song, Yuan and Ming periods. The great centres of production were in the north of China in the provinces of Hebei, Henan and Shanxi. Cizhou wares seem to have been very popular, made for a clientèle of rich merchants, at a period when the paintings of famous...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

This huge, Museum-quality Spinosaur tooth is completely in tact with no repairs. This incredible specimen includes a display box for preservation and display purposes. Spinosaurus (m...

A stone object called "TAMARI-ISHI" in Japan that collects water in a hole. This has a beautiful matte black look. A beautiful sculpture created by nature. An art object that gives y...

The form of Longquan celadon vases from the Northern Song dynasty evolved from an early design with a long neck and tapering body to a later ovoid body with a shorter neck. Over time, the glaze developed a more olive tone, and the carved decorations became more pronounced and intricate. Examples of such vases include one without a cover dated to the Yuanfeng era (1078~1085) and documented in literature, and another similar vase without loop handles preserved by the Qingyuan County Cultural Relics Bureau. An earlier example featuring loop handles and a lotus-like cover is also mentioned in historical texts. The use of Longquan covered vases, especially as funerary jars for offerings like wine and grains, was highlighted by an inscription on a piece from the Sir Percival David Collection, London. This inscription wishes for the vessel to preserve fragrant wine for centuries, blessing the owner with prosperity, longevity, and a vast lineage, dated to the third year of the Yuanfeng period (1080). This practice was common in the regions of Southern Zhejiang and Northern Fujian. A similar celadon vase from the Linyushanren collection was auctioned at Christie’s Hong Kong, emphasizing the cultural and historical significance of these artifacts. Period : Five Dynasties or Northern Song Dynasty Type : Celadon, Zhejiang province Medium : Celadon Size : 31.5 cm(Height) x 11.5(Diameter) Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Reference : 1) The British Museum image id - 01613270570 2) Christies New York 23–24 MAR 2023 - Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art - Lot 1012 (Price Range : USD 18,000 – USD 25,000 / Type : Related) 3) National Gallery of Victoria - Accession Number - AS5-1973 * Celadon from Five Dynasties (907~960) to the early Northern Song Dynasty (960~1127) The period from the Five Dynasties (907~960) to the early Northern Song Dynasty (960~1127) marked a significant transitional phase in the development of Chinese celadon ceramics...

A Pre-Columbian pottery vessel. There are hand-sculpted vestiges of a face reminiscent of early figurative efforts. Patina includes traces of red cinnabar and mineral deposits, attes...

This is an old Japanese stone object. This stone object has a beautiful black and beige gradation. An art object that gives you a sense of wabi-sabi. 6kg

Antique Khmer pottery jar. Age: Cambodia, Pre-Angkor Period, 6th - 7th Century Size: Height 28.4 C.M. / Width 35 C.M. Condition: Nice and condition overall (some expected degradatio...

Obverse: head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and spiral palmette Reverse: owl standing right with h...

Ancient Luristan bronze short sword with green patina. Luristan bronze comes from the province of Lorestan, a region of nowadays Western Iran ...

Obverse: ΜΕΤ, corn ear with eight grains Reverse: corn ear with eight grains, all incuse Weight: 7.77 g Grade: Good very fine Mint: Metapontum Reference: HN Italy 1459; HGC 1, 1027

The table bearing pig head, rice cakes, dishes of meat, fish and fruit. Known as Mingqi, these terracotta models were customarily included in Chinese burial practices, particularly among the affluent, to aid the deceased in their journey through the afterlife. This tradition extends back to the Neolithic Period. A unique terracotta funeral table...

Antique Chinese pottery standing cow. Age: China, Tang Dynasty, A.D. 618 - 907 Size: Length 16 C.M. / Width 6.7 C.M. / Height 11.3 C.M. Conditio...

Obverse: Silenus with nymph Reverse: square incuse with four fields AMAZING TONING AND HIGH RELIEF Gewicht: 8.46 g Kwaliteit: Prachtig Referentie: HGC 331; Le Rider, Thasienne, Tf...