Copper-alloy, 210 grams, 485 mm. Circa 1,400-1,000 BC. A large cast Marlik sword type spear with a gently tapering blade with partly bifurcated central rib and additonal fine ribs running each side and a short, plain tang. Ref: Khorasani, Manouchehr Moshtagh Arms and Armor from Iran, page 627; cat. 273. A good example in fine condition with an excellent blade. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 85 grams, 62 mm. Circa 1,200 to 700 BC. A late Bronze Age looped and socketed axhead blade, having been truncated ready for re-cyling by the Bronze Age metal worker. Reference: cf. Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, page 103 & 11.46; Evans, J. The Ancient Bronze Weapons & Ornaments of Great Britain & Ireland, London, 1881, page 52. Fine condition. Provenance: found Essex, UK.

Clay, 840 grams, 255 x 145 mm. Early Bronze Age Period, 3200 - 2200 BC. A very large amphora type pottery jar with a globular shaped belly and rounded base, plain rim from which springs a thick flat sectioned handle. A good example of this Early Bronze Age pottery that is contemporary with the Old Testament. Reference: Amiran, R. Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, found in Phoenicia (The Holy Land).

Copper alloy, 345 grams; 332.77 mm. Circa 1200-1100 BC. Type1 spearhead, long ovate blade with curved shoulders and broad midrib; the heavily reinforced shaft opens out to reveal the tang that is flattened and bent to the side. Ref: Arms and Armor from Iran by Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, page 629; cat. 278. A good example in good very fine condition. Ex old English collection.

Slate and wood, 35.37 grams, 110 mm long. Post-Small Tool Tradition, Norton People; Circa 1st century AD. The ground slate blade of the knife inserted into a grooved wooden handle and used for cutting up seal or whale blubber. Reference: Emily Elizabeth Auger The Way of Inuit Art. Very fine and extremely rare; the wood only surviving at all as it became dessicated and preserved in frozen tundra. Provenance: from pre-1960 excavations at Cape Nome, Alaska, with the reference number G-257 on a white panel to both parts of the implement.

Copper-alloy, 270 grams, 40 cm. Circa 2nd millennium BC. A cast copper-alloy dagger with elliptical-section blade. The pommel is curved and the hilt is pierced and has open cells to the outer faces to be filled with plates of organic material. Reference: cf. Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tubingen, 2006 fig.15. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 455 grams, 48 cm. Circa 2nd millennium BC. A cast copper-alloy rapier with thick-ribbed tapering blade. The pommel is formed as a large bulb with vertical knurled decoration, and the grip is provided with horizontal knurling. The blade has a thick flange at the upper end. Reference: cf. Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tubingen, 2006 fig.22 for similar flanged blade. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Stone, 4.91 grams, 22.47 mm length. Circa 2000-1500 BC. A transverse pierced amulet bead with an incised design on the flat underside in the form of a reclining animal, perhaps a cow. The associations of the cow in Assyrian culture were with motherhood and fertility, and thus with protective powers. Reference: cf. discussion in Aruz, J. Marks of distinction: seals and cultural exchange between the Aegean and the Orient (ca. 2600-1360 B.C.), Mainz 2008. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old London collection, formed in the 1950's.

Copper-alloy, 555 grams, 181 mm. Circa 1200-800 BC. A cast palstave with expanding blade and straight cutting edge with a central rib, the loop low and round-section, the stop-ridge substantial. Reference: Moore, C.M. & Rowlands, M. Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum, Salisbury, 1972 item 25. Good very fine condition, complete. Provenance: from an old English collection, found at Eighteen Hundred Acres Road, Wickham, Hampshire, England in the 1940s by Mr William Cook.

Ceramic, 425 grams, 14 cm diameter. Circa 1400-1300 BC. A pink buffware bowl with a low pedestal base, broad bowl and slightly everted rim. Reference: cf. Amiran, R. Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land, Jerusalem, 1969 p.160(1,2). Very fine condition, chip to rim. Provenance: from an old collection.

Gold, 1.22 grams, 17.80 mm overall (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13). Circa 900-300 BC. A finger ring constructed from a single plate of gold with ribbed edges. The narrow rear of the hoop is elliptical in section expanding at one end to a flat plate with raised edges. At the other end the plate is similarly formed, recurved along its own axis at the point where it meets the other end of the hoop. The technique is similar to the bronze spiral-bindings in the Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard. Reference: cf. Savory, H.N. Guide Catalogue of the Early Iron Age Collections, Cardiff, 1976. Extremely fine condition, complete. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Carnelian, 16.26 grams, 43 cm, 17 inches. Indus Valley Culture; Bronze Age, circa 2600 - 1600 BC. A re-strung carnelian necklace, which has 56 ovoid shaped ancient carnelian beads, etched with geometric designs. The technique of painting the surface of a finished carnelian bead with natron [calcium carbonate] and then baking the mineral on appears to have been invented around 2500 BC by Indus Valley craftesman, possibly to imitate banded agates. This technique was also adopted by the Mesopotamians and later by the Persians. Etched beads may well have been traded from the Indus Valley to Sumer as early as 2500 BC. Reference: Thames & Hudson, The History of Beads from 30,000 BC to the Present, page 181-2; No. 600, a-c. Extremely fine condition and wearable. Provenance: from an old English collection; found Indus Valley, Pakistan.

Copper alloy, 57.89 grams, 174.94 mm. Circa 2000 BC. A beautifully well preserved spearhead with long pointed tang. The shoulders curve slightly and meet the cutting edges that taper to a point in a slender leaf-shape. A good piece with a deep green patination in very fine condition. Old collection inscription stating the piece was found at Cressingham, Norfolk.

Bronze, 32.42 grams, 40 cm long [16 inches]. Pre-Achaemenid-Parthian, circa 550 - 330 BCE. These beads were made by the Persians, people of the Pre-Achaemenid-Parthian period, the successor state of the Median Empire. The Persian and the Median Empire taken together are also known as the Medo-Persian Empire, succeeding the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The empire was forged by Cyrus the Great, and spanned three continents, including territories of Afghanistan and Pakistan, parts of Central Asia, Asia Minor, Thrace, much of the Black Sea coastal regions, Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and all significant population centers of ancient Egypt as far west as Libya. In western history this empire was the foe of the Greek city states during the Greco-Persian Wars, and was invaded and conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE. This necklace has been restrung and fitted with a modern clasp to wear in modern times using over 100 mainly square and cylindrical-shaped beads with a great variety of colour patination. Reference: Thames & Hudson, The History of Beads from 30,000 BC to the Present, no. 309 a-e. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

2.52 Kg, 9 x 10.5 inches. Circa 2000 B.C. A large cremation urn, spherical in shape with a flat bottom and a short out turned rim. With two incised line decoration around the rim. Around the body of the pot is a ornamental rope design. This urn would have been deposited during the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age. It was probably excavated from a circular burial mound which would have been erected in a prominent location, and was used to intern important members of the community. Extremely Fine condition. From an old Suffolk collection. SOLD

Copper-alloy, 40.07 grams, 107.57 mm. Circa 1450-900 BC. A cast copper-alloy spearhead with leaf-shaped lozenge-section blade, tapering integral socket and small side-loops. The small size suggests that it may have been used on a throwing-spear. The spearhead is of a type with restricted distribution, probably manufactured in Wales in the Late Bronze Age. Reference: Savory, H.N. Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections, Cardiff, 1980. Very fine condition, complete but slight erosion to loops. Provenance: found in Caerphilly, Wales and registered with the Portable Antiquities Scheme [PAS] under SOM-D83264-0.

Clay, 315 grams, 140 x 88 mm. Early Bronze Age Period, 3200 - 2200 BC. A pottery dipper cup with a globular shaped belly and flat base, overhanging rim from which springs a thick round sectioned handle. A good example of this Early Bronze Age pottery that is contemporary with the Old Testament. Reference: Amiran, R. Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, found in Phoenicia (The Holy Land).

Clay, 415 grams, 165 x 99 mm. Early Bronze Age Period, 3200 - 2200 BC. A large pottery dipper cup with a globular shaped belly and flat base, plain rim from which springs a thick round sectioned handle. A good example of this Early Bronze Age pottery that is contemporary with the Old Testament. Reference: Amiran, R. Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, found in Phoenicia (The Holy Land).

Clay, 710 grams, 152 x 137 mm. Early Bronze Age Period, 3200 - 2200 BC. A large pottery jug with a globular shaped belly and flat base, flared rim from which springs a thick flat sectioned handle. A good example of this Early Bronze Age pottery that is contemporary with the Old Testament. Reference: Amiran, R. Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, found in Phoenicia (The Holy Land).

Bronze, 41.76 grams, 40 cm long [16 inches]. Pre-Achaemenid-Parthian, circa 550 - 330 BCE. These beads were made by the Persians, people of the Pre-Achaemenid-Parthian period, the successor state of the Median Empire. The Persian and the Median Empire taken together are also known as the Medo-Persian Empire, succeeding the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The empire was forged by Cyrus the Great, and spanned three continents, including territories of Afghanistan and Pakistan, parts of Central Asia, Asia Minor, Thrace, much of the Black Sea coastal regions, Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and all significant population centers of ancient Egypt as far west as Libya. In western history this empire was the foe of the Greek city states during the Greco-Persian Wars, and was invaded and conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE. This necklace has been restrung and fitted with a modern clasp to wear in modern times using over 100 mainly square and cylindrical-shaped beads with a great variety of colour patination. Reference: Thames & Hudson, The History of Beads from 30,000 BC to the Present, no. 309 a-e. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Stone, 5.27 grams, 19.58 mm. Circa 2000-1500 BC. A transverse pierced amulet bead formed as a D-section block. On the flat underside is an incised design of a running animal (probably a gazelle or ibex), forming a seal matrix. The gazelle was one of the earliest amuletic animals, perhaps symbolizing speed. Reference: cf. discussion in Aruz, J. Marks of distinction: seals and cultural exchange between the Aegean and the Orient (ca. 2600-1360 B.C.), Mainz 2008. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old London collection, formed in the 1950's.

Copper-alloy, 115 grams, 29 cm. Circa 800-1,200 BC. A large example of a cast dress pin with heavy spherical head. The head is formed as a segmented collar below the spherical element, rising to a knurled collar and mushroom finial. The round-section shaft tapers evenly. Reference: see Bonham's sale catalogue Antiquities 5399, 30th April 2008, part lot 27, for broadly similar example. Very fine condition, complete. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper alloy, 37.37 grams; 131.11 mm. Circa late 2000-early 1000 BC. A large triangular arrowhead; an elongated, triangular shape with barbed shoulders, convex sides, and a raised midrib. It has a long rectangular-sectioned tang. Ref: similar to confiscated in winter, 1310 hergira shamsi (1931 AD), Arms and Armor from Iran by M M Khorasani; page 739, Cat. 447. Good very fine condition. Found Luristan. Ex old English collection.

Gold, 2.01 grams, 24.24 mm. Circa 2,000-1,600 BC. A repoussé foil mount in the form of a circular cap with chamfered edge. The centre of the mount features a repoussé boss; the edges of the chamfer and the boss are decorated with lines of repoussé dots. There are two circular piercings for the attachment rivets. The piece may be the cap of a dagger hilt or similar handle. Reference: Taylor, J.J. Bronze Age Goldwork of the British Isles, Cambridge, 1980. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Stone, 14.42 grams, 35.52 mm length. Circa 2000-1500 BC. A transverse pierced amulet bead in the shape of a reclining bovine with raised head and leaf-shaped ears. The underside is a seal matrix showing two stylized human figures with long hair seated, one holding a stalk or branch and the other offering a similar object. The associations of the cow in Egyptian culture were with motherhood and fertility, and thus with protective powers. Reference: cf. discussion in Aruz, J. Marks of distinction: seals and cultural exchange between the Aegean and the Orient (ca. 2600-1360 B.C.), Mainz 2008. Good very fine condition. Provenance: from an old London collection, formed in the 1950's.

Stone, 29.05 grams, 45.76 mm. Circa 2000-1500 BC. An elliptical carved seal with longitudinal piercing for suspension. The flat underside bears a cartouche within which is shown a group of running animals with a human in a running pose with a weapon in his hand. Reference: cf. discussion in Aruz, J. Marks of distinction: seals and cultural exchange between the Aegean and the Orient (ca. 2600-1360 B.C.), Mainz 2008. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old London collection, formed in the 1950's.

Bronze, 175 grams, 145 mm. Late Bronze Age; 1,200-500 BC. Finely cast socketted chisel with crescent ornament at the socket. The blade transverse and of heavy rectangular section with square cutting edge. Reference: J. Evans Bronze Age Implements; Lord McAlpine Antiquities from Europe and the Near East, p.100, 10.8. Good very fine condition, with sound patination. Rare. Provenance: found Eastern Europe, from an old collection.

Copper-alloy, 2.91 grams, 31.92 mm. Circa 10th-5th century BC. A small awl of rectangular cross-section, tapering gently to a point. Reference: Read, B. Metal Artefacts of Antiquity, Langport, 2001 item 694. Very fine condition. Provenance: found North Essex, England.

Copper alloy, 18.39 grams; 141.11 mm. Circa 1000 BC. A beautiful arrowhead with jet-like wings, resembling a stylized flying bird. It has a very long rectangular-sectioned tang, ending in a wedge-shaped tip. Ref: Arms and Armor from Iran by M M Khorasani; page 738, Cat. 441. Good very fine condition. Found Luristan. Ex old English collection.

Copper alloy, 25.24 grams; 153.30 mm. Circa 14th - 10th century BC. Type V, subcatagory subtype C. A large triangular arrowhead with barbed shoulders; an elongated, triangular shape with barbed shoulders, convex sides, and a raised midrib with a harpe central line. It has a very long rectangular-sectioned tang, ending in a square-shaped tip. Ref: similar to one found in Tomb 52; Trench XXIII G; see Negathban (1995:82, plate XII, 156), Arms and Armor from Iran by M M Khorasani; page 743, Cat. 467. Good very fine condition. Found Luristan. Ex old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 42.48 grams, 57.24 mm. Circa 4th century BC. Scythian art is one of the first and most important animal-based art styles of the Old World. It influenced the later art of central, western and northern Europe in ways which are still poorly understood. One of the central motifs of this art was of a horse with its neck and back arched so that its tail was close to its mouth, as if falling over while galloping. Evolved forms include the horse's head, which is in evidence here. The mount/pendant features a horse-head with extended tongue, looping on a long carinated neck with lobed extensions from a bulb with lateral lobes; the bulb surmounts a sub-circular ring with a circular mount on the reverse and develops into a lozengiform facetted lobe with spherical terminal. The latter fitting has a phallic quality. There are traces of red pigmentation on the surface. Reference: Braund, D. Scythians and Greeks: Cultural Interaction in Scythia, Athens and the Early Roman Empire - Sixth Century BC to First Century AD, Exeter, 2005. Very fine condition.

Terracotta, 450 grams, 155.87 mm. Circa 2000 B.C. Figurine from Bronze Age Afghanistan. Hollow figurine with a bird like head, pinched beak, applied eyes and thin elongated ears. She wears a pierced choker and has both hands together on chest, as if praying. This piece, which was manufactured from a single piece of long thin pottery coiled to form the hollow body, was probably mounted on a ceremonial staff or an alter where rituals would have been undertaken for fertility of both land and body. Extremely Fine 'as found' condition.

Copper alloy, 190 grams; 85.11 mm. Circa 900 - 800 BC, ‘Ewart Park’ period. A Welby type axe, square sectioned body with expanded cutting edge decorated with raised ribs on both sides. The loop set in-line with the lower of the two socket moulding. Ref: for similar axes see Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, page 103. A good solid axe with some nibbling to the blade otherwise in very fine condition. Found Wiltshire.

Copper-alloy, 3.04 grams, 33.27 mm. A miniature awl of square cross-section tapering to each end from a rectangular central shouldered boss. Reference: John Evans The Ancient Bronze Implements Weapons & Ornaments of Great Britain & Ireland, page 189. An excellent and unusually small example, with slight ancient loss to the tip.

Copper-alloy, 300 grams, 98 mm long. 1,200 to 900 BC. Finely cast socketted axe with side loop and triple line ornament each side of the socket and a convex cutting edge. Reference: Arthur MacGregor Antiquities from Europe & the Near East in the Collection of the Lord McAlpine, number 11.13 for a very similar example. Fine, with green/brown patination. Provenance: found Suffolk, England.

Copper-alloy, 100 grams, 139.33 mm. Circa 1200-800 BC. A cast spearhead with leaf-shaped blade and thick central rib developing into the circular socket with two lateral piercings for an attachment peg or rivet. Reference: Moore, C.M. & Rowlands, M. Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum, Salisbury, 1972 item 64. Very fine condition, complete. Provenance: from an old English collection, found at Eighteen Hundred Acres Road, Wickham, Hampshire, England in the 1940s by Mr William Cook.

Bronze, 120 grams, 73.54 mm. Late Bronze Age; 1,200-500 BC. Small size cast socketted axe with loop to assist tying the head to the haft. The cutting edge convex and the socket slightly squared. Reference: J. Evans Bronze Age Implements; Lord McAlpine Antiquities from Europe and the Near East, p.103, 11.18-21. Good very fine condition with an attractive 'mottled' patination. Provenance: found West Yorkshire, from on old English collection.

Alabaster, 15.14 grams, 50.61 mm. Circa 3,200 BC. An extremely good example of a so-called 'eye Idol' of Mesopotamia from the city of Tell Brak, Syria. Carved with a rounded rectangular body with tapering shoulders and a neck on which rests two 'Watching' and 'Guarding' eyes with eye brows. Today the remains of Tell Brak covers a massive forty-hectare area. It was first excavated by Max Mallowan in 1937-8 when he found the remains of early religious practices represented by hundreds of votive objects, including the so-called 'eye idols'. Tell Brak must be considered as one of the oldest cultural sites in the world it was still in use during the Mitannian empire [1,500 - 1,360 BC]. During the Hellenistic and Roman eras, the site lay silent. Tell Brak was known as Nagar in Antiquity. Reference: Authenticated by Professor Lambert of Birmingham University [Specialisms - Oriental studies: Assyrian. Appointments: Associate Professor and Chair of Oriental Seminary, Johns Hopkins University 1959-64; Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham 1970-93. Principal publications: Babylonian wisdom literature 1960, joint author Atra-hasis; The Babylonian story of the flood, 1969; The qualifications of Babylonian diviners, Festschrift für Rykle Borger 1998. Elected to the Fellowship 1971]. Good very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, collected from the Tell Brak Region in the 1930's. [Accompanied by a hand written scholorly note by Professor Lambert]

Bronze, 29.24 grams, 37.50 mm long [15 inches]. Pre-Achaemenid-Parthian, circa 550 - 330 BCE. These beads were made by the Persians, people of the Pre-Achaemenid-Parthian period, the successor state of the Median Empire. The Persian and the Median Empire taken together are also known as the Medo-Persian Empire, succeeding the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The empire was forged by Cyrus the Great, and spanned three continents, including territories of Afghanistan and Pakistan, parts of Central Asia, Asia Minor, Thrace, much of the Black Sea coastal regions, Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and all significant population centers of ancient Egypt as far west as Libya. In western history this empire was the foe of the Greek city states during the Greco-Persian Wars, and was invaded and conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE. This necklace has been restrung and fitted with a modern clasp to wear in modern times using over 100 mainly square and cylindrical-shaped beads with a great variety of colour patination. Reference: Thames & Hudson, The History of Beads from 30,000 BC to the Present, no. 309 a-e. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 115 grams, 71mm. Circa 1,200-800 BC. The major portion of a socketted axe, with integral side loop. Reference: John Evans The Ancient Bronze Weapons & Ornaments of Great Britain & Ireland, London, 1881, page 128. Provenance: from an old English collection. The cutting edge removed or broken away in antiquity.

Copper-alloy, 3.99 grams, 48.97 mm. Circa 2000 BC. A double-ended awl cast in bronze; one end is square-section and the other rounded. Reference: Read, B. Metal Artefacts of Antiquity, Langport, 2001, p.94 item 694. Very fine condition. Provenance: found Sprinfield, Essex, England.

Copper-alloy, 30.49 grams, 101.11 mm. Circa 10th-5th century BC. A cast axehead of 'South-Eastern' type, with square-section socket narrowing into a wedge, with a flared cutting edge. The socket's mouth is strengthened with a double rib and the thick (about 4mm) cast loop develops from the lower of these. Reference: Moore, C.N. and Rowlands, M. Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum, Salisbury, 1972 items 43, 44. Fine condition, some loss to the socket rim. Provenance: found Manningtree, Essex, England.

Copper-alloy, 18.79 grams, 170 mm. Circa 1,000 BC. The long shaft tapering to a fine point. The conical head flaring out from a series of engraved concentric rings. Reference: Moorey, P. R. S. Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ahsmolean Museum. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 22.51 grams, 165 mm. Circa 1,000 BC. The long shaft tapering to a fine point. The plain head with traces of an engraved ring below. Reference: Moorey, P. R. S. Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ahsmolean Museum. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Clay, 170 grams, 106.20 x 60.91 mm. Early Bronze Age Period, 3200 - 2200 BC. A pottery dipper cup with a globular shaped belly and flat base, flared rim from which springs a thick round sectioned handle. A good example of this Early Bronze Age pottery that is contemporary with the Old Testament. Reference: Amiran, R. Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, found in Phoenicia (The Holy Land).

Clay, 185 grams, 118 x 56 mm. Early Bronze Age Period, 3200 - 2200 BC. A pottery dipper cup with a globular shaped belly and rounded base, plain rim from which springs a thick round sectioned handle. A good example of this Early Bronze Age pottery that is contemporary with the Old Testament. Reference: Amiran, R. Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, found in Phoenicia (The Holy Land).

Black Alabaster, 9.46 grams, 50.32 mm. Circa 3,200 BC. An extremely good example of a so-called 'eye Idol' of Mesopotamia from the city of Tell Brak, Syria. Carved with a rounded rectangular body with tapering shoulders and a neck on which rests two 'Watching' and 'Guarding' Eyes with eye brows. Today the remains of Tell Brak covers a massive forty-hectare area. It was first excavated by Max Mallowan in 1937-8 when he found the remains of early religious practices represented by hundreds of votive objects, including the so-called 'eye idols'. Tell Brak must be considered as one of the oldest cultural sites in the world it was still in use during the Mitannian empire [1,500 - 1,360 BC]. During the Hellenistic and Roman eras, the site lay silent. Tell Brak was known as Nagar in Antiquity. Reference: Authenticated by Professor Lambert of Birmingham University [Specialisms - Oriental studies: Assyrian. Appointments: Associate Professor and Chair of Oriental Seminary, Johns Hopkins University 1959-64; Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham 1970-93. Principal publications: Babylonian wisdom literature 1960, joint author Atra-hasis; The Babylonian story of the flood, 1969; The qualifications of Babylonian diviners, Festschrift für Rykle Borger 1998. Elected to the Fellowship 1971]. Good very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, collected from the Tell Brak Region in the 1930's. [Accompanied by a hand written scholorly note by Professor Lambert]

Carnelian, 2.51 grams, 19.64 mm tall. Finely carved depiction of a male head with finely shown features, hair, beard and cap. The reverse blank. Pierced laterally through the cap for suspension. Reference: see New York The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin. Extremely fine, rare thus. Provenance: property of a gentleman.

Copper-alloy, 140 grams, 90.81 mm. Circa 1,200-800 BC. A socketed axe head with relatively thin cast walls. The socket narrows from the upper section too a waist and expands towards the cutting edge. The casting seam is present but not prominent. The thin walls and lack of supporting ribs suggest that it was intended for lighter work such as fine shaping of timber rather than heavy-duty tree-felling. The edge is complete with only minor scouring. Reference: Moore, C.N. and Rowlands, M.J. Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum, Salisbury, 1972, p.56-7. The upper socket edge irregular, otherwise very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 255 grams, 103.20 mm. 10th-8th century BC. A hexagonal faceted axe head of the cast 'socketed' type. The mouth of the casting features a thickened bulbous rim which develops directly into the body of the axe head. The securing loop was lost in antiquity but the projecting ends are visible. The casting seams have been cleaned from the outer surface and the guiding ridges are present on the interior of the socket. Beneath the rim on both broad faces are three-line chevron motifs, with the points towards the axe's edge. The cutting edge is chipped for about one third of its length. Reference: Moore, C.N. & Rowlands, M. Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum, Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Occasional Publication, Salisbury, 1972 p.56 items 45,46. Blade chipped in antiquity, very fine condition. Provenance: from an old collection.

Copper alloy, 105 grams; 62.83 mm. Circa 2000-1000 BC. A stunning well preserved socketed gauge of circular section with a wide plain un-moulded mouth and expanded cutting edge. This cutting edge is very wide for a tool of this size and is the first we have seen of this type. Ref: for similar gauges see Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, page 108. A rare example in extremely fine condition. Found Lincolnshire.

Copper alloy, 41.11 grams; 60.47 mm. Circa 2100 – 700 BC. A stunning well preserved socketed gauge of circular section with a splayed socket and expanded cutting edge. Ref: for similar gauges see Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, page 108. A beautiful example in extremely fine condition. Found Yorkshire.

Copper alloy, 235 grams; 88.99 mm. Circa 2000 BC. A well preserved socketed axe, square sectioned with a thick banded collar around the socket opening and a splayed outline ending with a curved cutting edge. The loop is set just below the socket collar, in line with the loop on both sides of the axe are a row of three raised bosses. Ref: for similar axe see Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, page 103. A very good example in good very fine condition. Found Wiltshire.

Copper alloy, 13.50 grams; 20.86 mm. Circa 800 B.C. A small looped and socketed type axe, a miniature example used as a votive offering; this would have been thrown into a lake or spring as an offering to the gods. Unusual type in Very Fine condition and rare. Found Essex.

Copper alloy, 105 grams, 71.96 mm. Circa 2000 BC. A small flat axe, trapezium in outline with a straight butt end and curved cutting edge, the sides have a slightly thicker raised rim. Ref: Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green page 99. A nice example in very fine condition. Ex old English collection. Found Worcestershire.

Copper-alloy, 4.46 grams, 22.01 mm. Circa 800 BC. A small looped and socketed type axe, a miniature example used as a votive offering; this would have been thrown into a lake or spring as an offering to the gods. Unusual type in very fine condition. Found West Lavington, Wiltshire.

Copper alloy, 185 grams; 107.63 mm. Circa 2000 BC. A beautiful looped & socketed axe with a splayed outline and curved cutting edge, the loop is situated just below the single ribbed band of the socket opening. Ref: for similar axe see Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, 11.22; page 104. An excellent well preserved axe in good very fine condition. Found Durham.

Copper alloy, 13.89 grams; 80.48 mm. Circa 2000-1000 BC. A simple flat bronze curved razor with upturned pointed tip, the suspension loop is formed from both outer edges being folded over and pierced. Ref: for similar razors see Benet’s Artefacts of England & the United Kingdom page 47, B14-0601-0603. An extremely rare piece in good very fine condition, with a typical English patination. Found Haverhill, Suffolk 2008.

Copper-alloy, 19.31 grams, 130 mm. A stunning example of this rare type with a beautifully formed curving blade. The back of the blade is slightly thicker and curls up and bends back to meet the handle which is short and has a lopped terminal with two pointed projections. This piece is published in Benet's Artefacts of England & the United Kingdom, item B14-0601; page 47. Reference: for similar razors see Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green page 111. A virtually unobtainable type in good very fine condition. Ex Paul G Murawski; ex Alec Zolin; ex Chris Wild of Normandy. Found Lincolnshire 1982.

Copper-alloy, 12.96 grams, 69.43 mm. Circa 1,200-800 BC. Of cast form with the tang rising from a single band collar and the blade falring out to a slightly curved cutting edge. Reference: John Evans The Ancient Bronze Weapons & Ornaments of Great Britain & Ireland, London, 1881, page 168. Provenance: found in Cambridgeshire. A good example, with slight curvature; possibly deliberately applied.

Bronze, 9.79 grams; 42.03 mm. Complete bronze pin of ring-headed type from the late Bronze Age to Middle Iron Age, circa from 700BC. (See: The swan's neck and ring-headed pins of the early Iron Age in Britain, The Archaeological Journal XCI, Dunning, G.1934; and The Portable Antiquities Scheme Annual Report 2005/6, page 32). Only around 12 swan's-neck pins recorded as ever being found from SE Wales. Complete and undamaged and in extremely fine condition. Found Wales.

Copper-alloy, 85 grams/30 grams, 77.65 mm/67.54 mm. Circa 2200 BC to 1200 BC. Two fragments from a Bronze Age Group II rapier blade. The upper portion shows a very thick section blade with well-defined midrib (about 8mm thick), flaring to the point where the hilt is attached. The lower portion comprises the lenticular-section point, about 6mm thick. Both pieces show honed edges where the rapier was repeatedly sharpened. Both probably came from the same weapon, but were not contiguous. Reference: Moore, C.N. and Rowlands, M.J. Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum, Salisbury, 1972, p.60-1. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Glass, 12.25 grams, 28.36 mm. Early 4th millennium BC. A D-shaped blue glass seal matrix shaped as a reclining bull, the head moulded in the round and the body and legs indicated by defined incisions. Behind the head, a deep circular perforation enters the shoulder and exits through the upper rim of the piece for the suspension cord. On the reverse, a geometric design is incised comprising a lozenge and triangle above a transverse bar, all executed as rectilinear incisions joining roundels; the design appears to be a stylized human being holding a linear object in his or her right hand. Reference: Buchanan, B. Early Near Eastern Seals in the Yale Babylonian Collection, London, 1981, fig.116. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper alloy, 54.84 grams; 62.04 mm. Circa 1900-1300 BC. A thick square sectioned band with two expanded terminals each detailed with raised section on the outer edge. A good solid example in very fine condition. Ex old English collection.

Copper alloy, 20.87 grams; 119.80 mm. Circa 14th - 10th century BC. Type V, subcatagory subtype C. A large triangular arrowhead with barbed shoulders; an elongated, triangular shape with barbed shoulders, convex sides, and a raised midrib with a harpe central line. It has a short rectangular-sectioned tang, ending in a wedge-shaped tip. Ref: similar to one found in Tomb 52; Trench XXIII G; see Negathban (1995:82, plate XII, 156), Arms and Armor from Iran by M M Khorasani; page 743, Cat. 467. Very fine condition. Found Luristan. Ex old English collection.

Copper alloy, 9.22 grams; 95.26 mm. Circa 1200-700 BC. A cast bronze arrowhead with a pointed, ovate blade with flat midrib and sqauare-sectioned tang. Ref: for a similar arrowhead, see Moorey (1971:84, figure 17,71). Based on similar excavated examples from Tepe Sialk in both cemeteries A and B. Moorey (1971:86) dates this type of arrowhead within a range from 1200 to 700 BC. For casting molds of arrowheads from Susa, see Stollner, Slotta, and Vatandust (2004:581, plates 40-42). Arms and Armor from Iran by M M Khorasani; page 739, Cat. 444. Good very fine condition. Found Luristan. Ex old English collection.

Copper alloy, 195 grams; 306.90 mm. Circa 14th-10th century BC. Type VI spearhead with a long blade and pronounced rounded midrib, the shoulders are angled with only a slight curve and the tang is short with a hole pierced for securing the butt. Ref: similar to one found at the Marlik Royal Cemetery by Dr. Negahban in Tomb 15, trench XIII G; see Negahban (1995:67; plate X, 120), Arms and Armor from Iran by Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, page 627; cat. 273. A very good example in very fine condition. Ex old English collection.

Composition, 4.55 grams, 23.18 mm tall. Ram's Head Amulet; 1st millenium BC. Finely modelled ram's head, with deeply curved horns in a pale ochre glassine composition material. The horns providing suspension loops at each side. Reference: see New York The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin. Extremely fine, rare thus. Provenance: property of a gentleman.

Copper-alloy, 100 grams, 118 mm. Circa 1,200-800 BC. Of cast form from a two-piece mould. The blade with a wide central rib and two fuller grooves. The edges hollow ground. Reference: John Evans The Ancient Bronze Weapons & Ornaments of Great Britain & Ireland, London, 1881, page 279 for a smilar example. A substantial section of an unusual form of sword blade.

Copper-alloy, 190 grams, 95.42 mm. Circa 2200 BC to 1200 BC. A socketed axe head of 'south-eastern' type with a heavy cast flange, hollow head and solid attachment loop. The sides of the axe head are slightly bowed in section and parallel, flaring twoards the cutting edge. The casting seam is present on both sides. Axes of this type were used both in tree-felling and in warfare. The present example retains most of its original edge. Reference: Moore, C.N. and Rowlands, M.J. Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum, Salisbury, 1972, p.56-7. Part missing otherwise, very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 25 grams, 72 mm long. 1,200 to 900 BC. Finely cast bifacial spearhead with central rib. Reference: Arthur MacGregor Antiquities from Europe & the Near East in the Collection of the Lord McAlpine, number 11.46 for a very similar example. Fine, lacking the upper part of the socket. Provenance: found Barrington, Cambridgeshire, England and accompanied by a printed extract describing the piece.

Copper-alloy, 455 grams, 485 mm. Circa 1,400-1,000 BC. A very large Marlik VI cast sword type spearhead with a gently tapering blade with broad central rib and a short, perforated tang. Ref: Khorasani, Manouchehr Moshtagh Arms and Armor from Iran, page 627; cat. 273. A good example in very fine condition with an excellent blade. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 35.98 grams, 180 mm. Circa 1,000 BC. The long shaft tapering to a fine point. The domed head flaring out from a series of engraved concentric rings with bands of chevrons between. Reference: Moorey, P. R. S. Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ahsmolean Museum. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 95 grams, 74.43 mm. Circa 3,000-2,000 BC. With rounded cutting edge and shallow raised flanges to the sides. Reference: John Evans The Ancient Bronze Weapons & Ornaments of Great Britain & Ireland, London, 1881, page 52. Provenance: from an old English collection. A little abraded but a good example.

Copper alloy, 16.20 grams; 109.51 mm. Circa 1200-700 BC. A cast bronze arrowhead with a pointed, ovate blade with flat midrib and very long circular-sectioned tang which is bent over on itself. Ref: for a similar arrowhead, see Moorey (1971:84, figure 17,71). Based on similar excavated examples from Tepe Sialk in both cemeteries A and B. Moorey (1971:86) dates this type of arrowhead within a range from 1200 to 700 BC. For casting molds of arrowheads from Susa, see Stollner, Slotta, and Vatandust (2004:581, plates 40-42). Arms and Armor from Iran by M M Khorasani; page 739, Cat. 444. Good very fine condition. Found Luristan. Ex old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 110 grams, 70.86 mm. Circa 3,000-1,500 BC. Of flat cast form with raised flanges to each side and a curved cutting edge. Reference: John Evans The Ancient Bronze Weapons & Ornaments of Great Britain & Ireland, London, 1881, page 52. Provenance: found in County Durham. A good example of this early type, with the edge well worn from heavy use.

Stone, 25.02 grams, 41.75 mm long. Seal amulet; 1st millenium BC. Carved in a pale grey-green hardstone of triangular section with angled back. The oval face incuse carved depicting a horse with crescent-and-pellet above and 'dart' symbols around. Pierced lengthwise for suspension. Reference: Bahn, Paul Lost Treasures, Great Discoveries in World Archaeology. Extremely fine. Provenance: property of a gentleman.

Lapis lazuli, 9.44 grams, 25.32 mm long. Scarab seal amulet; 1st millenium BC. Moulded in a gold-flecked cobalt blue glass, the upper surface very well detailed with carapace of the scarab beetle. The underside with the incuse depiction of a lion attacking a stag. The body pierced lengthwise for suspension. Reference: see New York The Metropolitan Museum of Art Collections, for very similar examples. Extremely fine and very attractive. Rare thus. Provenance: property of a gentleman.

Copper alloy, 9.01 grams; 88.26 mm. Circa 1200-700 BC. A cast bronze arrowhead with a pointed, ovate blade with flat midrib and long square-sectioned tang. Ref: similar to B9 in A Fine Collection of Ancient and Medieval Arrowhead and Crossbow Bolts by Alan Cherry. Good very fine condition. Found Luristan. Ex old English collection.

Copper alloy, 35.69 grams, 82.79 mm. Circa 2100 – 700 BC. A stunning British socketed gouge / chisel, very well cast with sharp lines and complete cutting edge, very well preserved with a dark silky green patination. Two fine cracks around socket otherwise Extremely Fine condition. Found Foxton, Cambrideshire 2007.

Copper-alloy, 205 grams, 115 mm long. 1,200 to 900 BC. Finely cast socketted axe with sideloop and panels of triple line ornament each side of the socket and an almost square cutting edge. Reference: Arthur MacGregor Antiquities from Europe & the Near East in the Collection of the Lord McAlpine, number 11.32 for a similar example (ornament differs). Good very fine, with small casting flaw at socket and silvery appearance from the high tin content. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Bronze, 100 grams, 150 mm. Late Bronze Age; 1,200-500 BC. Medium size cast socketted spearhead with two piercings to assist fixing the head to the shaft. The cutting edges slightly convex with the central rib tapering smoothly from the socket. Reference: J. Evans Bronze Age Implements; Lord McAlpine Antiquities from Europe and the Near East, p.107, 11.46. Good fine condition, with slight modern damage to one edge. Provenance: found Eastern Europe, from an old collection.

Copper-alloy, 130 grams, 235 mm. Circa 1,400-1,000 BC. A Type II cast spearhead with a gently tapering blade with rounded central rib and a short, perforated tang. Ref: Khorasani, Manouchehr Moshtagh Arms and Armor from Iran, page 627; cat. 283. A good example in very fine condition with an excellent blade. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 18.73 grams, 165 mm. Circa 1,000 BC. The long shaft tapering to a fine point. The conical head flaring out from a series of engraved concentric rings. Reference: Moorey, P. R. S. Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ahsmolean Museum. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper alloy, 9.84 grams, 89.37 mm. 2nd Millennium B.C. A fine quality bronze arrowhead with a triangular blade with a lozenge sectioned mid-rib, the flanking blades terminate with pointed barbs to prevent withdrawal of the arrowhead with the long tang in between which would have kept the arrowhead attached to the wooden shaft. Ref: Similar to B6 in A Fine Collection of Ancient and Medieval Arrowhead and Crossbow Bolts by Alan Cherry. Extremely Fine condition.

Copper alloy, 4.34 grams, 40.67 mm. Circa 1st millennium BC. A small cast rhombic style arrowhead with extremely long barbs to prevent withdrawl. It has a short rectangular-sectioned tang, ending in a wedge-shaped tip. Ref: similar to B26 in A Fine Collection of Ancient and Medieval Arrowhead and Crossbow Bolts by Alan Cherry, ex Lord McAlpine collection. Very fine condition. Found Eastern Europe. Ex old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 130 grams, 335 mm. 12th century BC. The one-piece cast dagger is a distinctive type with a long history in the region, associated particularly with Luristan. The Type III dagger has a narrow, triangular blade cast in one piece with the expanding hilt. The hilt is moulded with flanges along the sides which were cast straight but could be bent over a carved wooden or bone insert to form a decorative grip. The blade is lentoid in section, with a ricasso of about 26mm length. The surface has been professionally conserved. Reference: Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tubingen, 2006, p.59. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Bronze, 75.00 grams; 89.08 mm. Part of a Bronze Age looped and socketed axe with the cutting end plus a portion of the rest with the loop still intact, type unknown. Probably dating from the Late Bronze Age circa 1000BC. (For examples see: The Axes of Scotland and Northern England. Schmidt and Burgess 1981). Found Suffolk.

Copper-alloy, 22.74 grams, 77.39 mm. 9th-5th century BC. A (drinking horn ?) terminal cast in copper-alloy with a plain transverse disc finial. The shank of the terminal is gracefully arced to continue the curvature of the horn, the end of which sat within the cone and was secured by a rivet which is still in situ. Stylistically, the discoid terminal resembles the clubbed ends of some Late Bronze Age bracelets (e.g. the example from Llanrhaiadr-ym-Mochant) and the socketing method is found on Bronze Age spearheads (e.g. the example from Heathery Burn Cave). Reference: cf. Savory, H.N. Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age of Collections, National Museum of wales, Cardiff, 1980 item 257 and Evans, J. The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1881, p.312. Very fine condition. Provenance: ex old European collection.

Bronze, 265 grams, 125 mm. Late Bronze Age; 1,200-500 BC. Large size cast socketted axe with piercings to assist fixing the head to the haft. The socket ornamented with cast chevrons and the cutting edge slightly convex. Reference: J. Evans Bronze Age Implements; Lord McAlpine Antiquities from Europe and the Near East, p.113, 13.5. Very fine and rare form. Provenance: found Eastern Europe, from an old collection.

Copper-alloy, 10.04 grams, 101.75 mm. Circa 14th-10th century BC. Luristan is famed for its fine bronzework. The pin is a long tapering spike, with a faceted, ribbed section at the top surmounted by a rectangular plinth on which stands the cast figure of a monkey with upturned face and trilobed erect tail. Reference: Porada, E. The Art of Ancient Iran, Pre-Islamic Cultures, New York, 1962. Good very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Clay, 515 grams; 139.73 x 112.14 mm. Circa mid-3rd millenium BC. A beautifully preserved Indus pot; elliptically shaped with flat base and high sides detailed with a ribbed pattern and slightly flared lip. The whole surface of the pot is covered in sand incretion which has helped preserve it but this can be removed to reveal the red surface. An excellent example in extremely fine condition.

Bronze, 90 grams, 110 mm. Late Bronze Age; 1,200-500 BC. Finely cast socketted gouge with angulated socket. The blade of concave shape with slightly convex cutting edge. Reference: J. Evans Bronze Age Implements; Lord McAlpine Antiquities from Europe and the Near East, p.108-9, 11.56-62. Extremely fine condition, with sound patination. Rare. Provenance: found West Yorkshire, from on old English collection.

Copper alloy, 34.00 grams; 90.71 mm. Circa 950 - 750 BC, ‘Ewart Park’ period. A stunning little spear shaped socketed chisel, long slender tapered body with a small curved cutting edge. The socket is short and splayed at the end with a slightly fluted rim. A beautiful English piece in extremely fine condition. Found Norfolk.

Stone, 10.99 grams, 42.74 mm. 5th-2nd century BC. A pierced elongated ceramic bar of lentoid section. On one face is the figure of an elk, head lowered and antlers thrust aggressively forward. On the reverse is a mountain lion advancing with its tail erect. The attack of lion and elk was a common motif in Scythian art, underscoring predation and thus of natural hierarchies. Reference: Vickers, M. Scythian and Thracian Antiquities, Oxford, 2002, plates 13 and 16. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Lapis lazuli, 3.96 grams, 23.25 mm. Circa 3rd millennium BC. A deep blue Lapis Lazuli figurine of a bull with one prominently displayed horn, in a reclining posture and with a pierced lobe at the shoulder for suspension. The moulding is very deep but the reverse of the figure is flat so that it may lie comfortably on the wearer's body. Sumerian culture is today best known through the sacred text The Epic of Gilgamesh, in its Babylonian version, but the Sumerians were among the first adopters of agriculture as a way of life. They were powerful from circa 5000 BC to 2600 BC, when their power began to decline due to population movement. Sumerian religion was originally animistic, but became increasingly anthropocentric as Sumer made contact with other peoples of the ancient Near East such as the Akkadians. The bull appears to have had associations with royalty, and a harp with bull-head decoration was found in the tomb of Paubi, from circa 2600 BC. Reference: for ancient Near Eastern bull cults, see Rice, M. Power of the Bull, London, 1997. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection formed in the 1930's.

Copper-alloy, 180 grams, 92.61 mm. Circa 1,200-800 BC. A substantial casting in copper-alloy with a heavy collar to the socket, a shallow loop and ribbed detailing on the sides. The casting seams are left pronounced on the upper and lower faces. The cutting edge is a shallow arc. Reference: Evans, J. The Ancient Bronze Weapons & Ornaments of Great Britain & Ireland, London, 1881, p. 112. Provenance: from an old English collection. Very fine condition, some nibbling to one end of the cutting edge. Provenance: found Hull, Humberside, England.

Bronze, 120 grams, 215 mm. Late Bronze Age; 1,200-500 BC. Long cast socketted knife or dagger, slightly ogival with with two lateral piercings to assist fixing the blade to the hilt. The cutting edges very slightly convex with a shallow central rib. Reference: J. Evans Bronze Age Implements; Lord McAlpine Antiquities from Europe and the Near East, p.109, 11.70. Good very fine condition, extremely rare. Provenance: found West Yorkshire, from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 225 grams, 330 mm. 12th century BC. The one-piece cast dagger is a distinctive type with a long history in the region, associated particularly with Luristan. The Type III dagger has a narrow, triangular blade cast in one piece with the expanding hilt. The hilt is moulded with flanges along the sides which were cast straight but could be bent over a carved wooden or bone insert to form a decorative grip. The blade is lentoid in section, with a ricasso of about 26mm length. The surface has been professionally conserved. Reference: Khorasani, M.M. Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tubingen, 2006, p.59. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Bronze, 115 grams, 265 mm. Middle Bronze Age; 1,400-1,000 BC. A Type II tapered spearhead with pronounced central rib. The rectangular tang hollowed at the end and pierced to facilitate fixing to the shaft. Ref: Khorasani, Manouchehr Moshtagh Arms and Armor from Iran. A good example in very fine condition with an excellent blade. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 24.71 grams, 195 mm. Circa 1,000 BC. The long shaft tapering to a fine point. The conical head flaring out from a series of engraved concentric rings with bands of chevrons and triangles between. Reference: Moorey, P. R. S. Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ahsmolean Museum. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper alloy, 75 grams; 215.03 mm. Circa 2000-1000 BC. A very impressive large knife blade with a thick sloping back that tappers to the point, from the point the slightly curved slender blade meets the tang. The but-end has a small holed tang for securing a handle that would have been bone or wood. Collection code on white panel. Formerly part of the Lord McAlpine Collection. A beautiful museum quality piece in extremely fine condition. Found Hertfordshire.

Bronze, 495 grams, 160 mm. Middle Bronze Age; 1,500-1,200 BC. A heavy cast axe with large wings. The blade tapering each way from a central spin and with a piercing at the butt to assist tying the axe to its haft. The cutting edge convex. Reference: J. Evans Bronze Age Implements; Lord McAlpine Antiquities from Europe and the Near East, p.113, 12.3-4. Very fine condition with sound patina. Provenance: found Eastern Europe, from an old collection.

Bronze, 230 grams, 125 mm. Late Bronze Age; 1,200-500 BC. Medium size cast socketted axe with large loop to assist tying the head to the haft. The cutting edge slightly convex and the socket most unusualy cutaway to fit the form of the haft. Reference: J. Evans Bronze Age Implements. Very fine and rare form. Provenance: found Eastern Europe, from an old collection.

Bronze, 205 grams, 110 mm. Late Bronze Age; 1,200-500 BC. Medium size cast socketted axe with loop to assist tying the head to the haft. The cutting edge slightly convex and the socket squared. Reference: J. Evans Bronze Age Implements. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: found West Yorkshire, from on old English collection.

Clay, 180 grams, 138.62 x 57.15 mm. Early Bronze Age Period, 3200 - 2200 BC. A pottery dipper cup with a globular shaped belly and rounded base, slightly flared rim from which springs a thick round sectioned handle. A good example of this Early Bronze Age pottery that is contemporary with the Old Testament. Reference: Amiran, R. Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection, found in Phoenicia (The Holy Land).

Copper-alloy, 19.13 grams, 131.98 mm. Circa 14th-10th century BC. Luristan is famed for its fine bronzework. The pin is a long tapering spike, nearly 6mm across at the top, surmounted by a handsome cast figure of a bird with a short beak and wedge-shaped tail. The eyes are indicated by round depressions and the feathers of the wings by parallel grooves. Reference: Porada, E. The Art of Ancient Iran, Pre-Islamic Cultures, New York, 1962. Good very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 6.23 grams, 125.86 mm. Circa 14th-10th century BC. Luristan is famed for its fine bronzework. The pin is a long tapering spike, with a faceted, ribbed section at the top surmounted by the cast figure of a cockerel with serrated tail, ribbed wings and erect comb. Reference: Porada, E. The Art of Ancient Iran, Pre-Islamic Cultures, New York, 1962. Good very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper-alloy, 27.69 grams, 195 mm. Circa 1,000 BC. The long shaft tapering to a fine point. The conical head flaring out from a series of engraved concentric rings with bands of chevrons and triangles between. Reference: Moorey, P. R. S. Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ahsmolean Museum. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Copper alloy, 5.62 grams; 94.22 mm. Circa 3000 BC. A nice leaf-shaped tanged razor, wider across the back with an upturned tip and a slender curved cutting edge. A good example in very fine condition. Found Luristan. Ex old English collection.

Copper alloy, 180 grams; 94.73 mm. Circa 2000 BC. A nice looped & socketed axe with a splayed outline and curved cutting edge, the loop is situated just below the single ribbed band of the socket opening. Ref: for similar axe see Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of The Lord McAlpine of West Green, 11.22; page 104. A good solid axe with slight nibbling to blade otherwise in good fine condition. Found Essex.

Copper-alloy, 180 grams, 109.33 mm. Circa 20th-8th century BC. A thin butted flat axe of the Migdale-Marnoch tradition, the early Bronze Age beginning around 2000 BC in Britain. It is cast with a thick middle section sloping to the broad, curved pelta-shaped front edge and more sharply to the narrow back edge. Reference: Moore, C.M. and Rowlands, M. Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum Winchester, 1972, p.51 and plate VI(2). Cleaned and conserved and in good very fine condition. Provenance: found near Huntingdon, York, England.

Copper-alloy, 155 grams, 82.19 mm. Circa 1,200-800 BC. Of normal cast form, from a two-piece mould with integral side loop and casting seams visible to the sides. Reference: John Evans The Ancient Bronze Weapons & Ornaments of Great Britain & Ireland, London, 1881, page 112 for similar example. Provenance: from an old English collection, believed to have been found near Cambridge. Very fine condition with slight indent to cutting edge from use.