Britain's Premier Antiquities Gallery, Pax Romana, to Host June 20-21 No-Reserve Auction: The King's Sale, Featuring Ancient Jewelry, Weaponry and Coins
Rare two-part Greek bronze Chalcidian helmet dating to circa 500-300 BC (Classical to Alexander the Great period expected to make £20,000-£40,000
LONDON, June 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 20-21, Pax Romana, the acclaimed London antiquities gallery and boutique auction house headed by Dr. Ivan Bonchev (PhD, University of Oxford), will present The King's Sale, a blue-chip event focused on ancient objects that symbolize the wealth and power vested in reigning monarchs. Absentee and live online bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers. All lots are offered with no reserve and will be sold to the highest bidder at or above the starting price.
"Our King's Sale features a superb selection of museum-quality pieces, with representations from throughout the ancient world," Dr Bonchev said. "We are very pleased to offer an exclusive array of arms and armor, rare coins, and some of the most stunning and unique jewelry ever to pass through our gallery doors."
The Saturday, June 20 session of 446 lots is devoted to high-grade gold, bronze and silver coins with a timeline that runs from Ancient Greece through Medieval Britain. Among the famous figures depicted on the coins are: Alexander the Great, Phillip II of Macedon, Julius Caesar, Tiberius, Constantine the Great, and Harold I.
An Ancient Roman Imperial AR (silver) denarius, struck circa 19-18 BC at a Spanish mint, bears the head of Caesar Augustus wearing a laurel wreath in high relief on the obverse, and a comet with eight rays and a tail on the reverse. Visually stunning and rated extremely fine, the 20.0mm, 3.72g coin is estimated at £2,000-£3,000.
A rare witness to life in Medieval England, a circa 810-815 AD Group II coin features a tonsured bust of Archbishop Wulfred and is stamped with the legend +VVLFREDI ARCHIEPISCOPI. The monogram DOROBERNIA C and the legend for Canterbury mint moneyer Saebeorht are shown on verso. Estimate £2,500-£3,500
The Sunday, June 21 session features historical iron and bronze weaponry as well as wearable ancient jewelry. A rare two-part Greek bronze Chalcidian helmet dating to circa 500-300 BC (Classical to Alexander the Great period), has hinged cheek pieces, a high-crested crown and smooth, fine patina. Its provenance goes back to an old collection formed in Finland and Germany. Estimate: £15,000-£30,000.
The fascination with Viking culture has perpetuated for many centuries, always conjuring images of seafaring raiders with formidable metal weapons and body armor. Medieval metalworkers of southern Scandinavia were highly respected. Excellent examples of their handiwork include two four-plate, riveted bowl-form helmets, estimated at £4,000-£6,000 each; and an outstanding and very well preserved Viking iron sword, 800-1100 AD, £4,000-£6,000.
Roman jewelry highlights include: a 1-300 AD ring with a red carnelian intaglio incised with a well-detailed striding bull, £4,000-£6,000; a circa 180-235 AD ring with an amethyst intaglio incised with the portrait of an empress, £7,500-£12,500; a Roman openwork-gold ring with a satyr incised on its red stone intaglio, £3,000-£5,000; and a ring whose oval bezel-set stone is incised with the image of a god, £4,000-£6,000.
Every auction item sold by Pax Romana conveys with a professional Certificate of Authenticity signed by Dr Ivan Bonchev. The company ships worldwide. All packing is handled by white-glove specialists in-house. Auction start time each day is 7 a.m. US Eastern time/12 noon GMT (UK time). View the online catalogue and sign up to bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers. Questions: call +44 7424 994167, email [email protected]. Online www.paxromana.auction.
Rate of conversion: £1 = US$1.26
Media Contact:
Dr. Ivan Bonchev +44 7424 994167 (UK)
[email protected]
SOURCE Pax Romana Auctions
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