Antique Arms & Militaria

A Very Rare Antiquity of Ancient Roman Empire. The 1st Roman Legion, Late 1st century AD, Rectangular Building Block With Stamped Text 'LEG I ITAL' for 1st Legion 'Italica';

A notable and substantial piece formerly from the renown Scammell Collection of ancient artifacts. Its original mortar is still attached to the reverse. LEG I ITAL was the first legion raised by Emperor Nero in September 66 AD. In 181 AD, Marcus Valerius Maximianus, an important Roman general, was the general of the 1st Legion Italica, and he was a confident of Emperor Marcus Aurelias, during the period of the Marcomannic Wars. It is said he inspired the composite fictional general Maximus Decimus Meridius, the main character and Roman General in Gladiator played by Russell Crowe, and it was the Marcomannic wars that are depicted in the earliest scenes in Gladiator in which the fictional Marcus Valerius Maximis was a commanding general. Marcus Valerius Maximianus was placed in charge of detachments of the praetorian fleets of Misenum and Ravenna and also of African and Moorish cavalry used for scouting duties in Pannonia. While on active service with the cavalry Maximianus killed a Germanic chieftain named as "Valao, chief of the Naristi" with his own hand and was publicly praised by the Emperor, who granted him the chieftain's "horse, decorations and weapons". He was appointed prefect of the lance-bearing cavalry and was in charge of the cavalry. The Ist Legion was still based on the Danube in the 5th century. We show a Roman marble bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius who was played by Richard Harris in Gladiator. The main fighting unit of the Roman army was the legion. During the first three centuries of the empire the army contained between 25 and 34 legions. Each legion was made up of about 5000 men recruited from the citizens. Although the soldiers of the legion were Roman citizens, they were drawn from all walks of life and legions often consisted of natives from conquered countries.

The legion contained within its ranks troops trained and equipped to perform many duties in wartime and peace. Although the vast majority of soldiers served as heavy infantry, other legionaries fought as cavalry, archers or light infantry. Other troops operated artillery such as the ballista, onagar and scorpio The troops were however not solely prepared for combat. Legionaries regularly served as engineers constructing fortifications, roads and bridges. As the legion counted among its complement a vast number of men with special skills, it was in many ways self-supporting. A large part of its military equipment could be produced by craftsmen drawn from the ranks. Soldiers trained as surveyors, engineers and architects ensured that the legion needed little outside help for its building requirements. As far as a Legion travelled it built buildings, bridges, even sewer systems. And their efforts were stamped upon some of their building bricks to show which legion had constructed them. There are some parts of London that still bear bricks stamped by their engineers of the Roman Legions. Bricks, blocks and tiles stamped P.P.BR.LON or some variant of this has been found associated with the traces of the old Roman palace off Cannon St. Whatever the meaning of the first P, it is clear that the P.BR.LON or PR.BR., as it sometimes appears, is an abbreviation for PROVINCIAE BRITANNIAE LONDINII. At the site of a Roman bath house in Jerusalem, three of the bricks recovered bore the same style of rectangular stamped impression of the Roman Legio X Fretensis – stamped thus LE X FR. Legio X Fretensis ("Tenth legion of the Strait") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army. It was founded by the young Gaius Octavius (later to become Augustus Caesar) in 41/40 BC to fight during the period of civil war that started the dissolution of the Roman Republic. X Fretensis is then recorded to have existed at least until the 410s. This Roman block is from the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019); acquired on the UK art market from 1960. Antony John Scammell (1937-2019) was born, and lived his entire life, in the city of Bristol, England. Already from an early age he was enthralled by history and the heroes that it created. While serving overseas with the British Army, Antony began collecting coins and banknotes and this led to collecting a variety of different items throughout his life. From the early 1960s onward, Antony invested in acquiring ancient artefacts. Antony's vast collections started with Egyptian antiquities, but soon branched into Greek and Roman civilisations. The Roman civilisation fascinated him most and, when family commitments allowed, archaeological digs were coordinated in the west of England. These digs uncovered numerous artefacts, many of which were donated to local museums. In retirement, the collecting continued apace, branching into UK coins, British Empire banknotes and fossils. It weighs 4.6 kg, and is 19 x 19cm (7 1/2 x 7 1/2").  read more

Code: 23424

Most Rare, Original Pair of Napoleonic War Period Issued Medals, The Prussian & Bavarian Battle of Waterloo & Battle of Leipzig, One Made From Captured Cannon, Just as The British Victoria Cross Was Made From Captured Russian Cannon.

Really rare to find, but exceptionally good value when one considers the British equivalent for two original medals for the Napoleonic campaigns would be between five and ten times this price. The Prussian Campaign Medal for 1813, a cross within a circle, made from captured cannon, and the Bavarian Military Campaign Medal for the Napoleonic Wars in 1813, 1814, 1815, for Officers and Other Ranks, awarded in 1817-1818.
Prussian Medal; Circular bronze medal with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a cross pattee with rays between the arms, the date 1813 centrally within a laurel wreath; the reverse with the crowned cypher of Friedrich Wilhelm III above the inscription Preusens tapfern kriegern (Prussia's brave warriors) circumscribed Gott war mit uns, Ihn sey die Ehre (God was with us To Him the Glory); the edge inscribed AUS EROBERTEM GESCHUTZ (from captured cannon); some surface wear; on an old correct ribbon. The medal was instituted by King Friedrich Wilhelm III at Frankfurt-am-Main on 24 December 1813 and amended on 3 October 1815 to be awarded to all warriors who without exception, whether in the field or before a fortress, truly fought and uncompromisingly did their duty throughout this current conflict? (jeden Krieger ohne Ausnahme, der im Felde oder vor einer Festung wirklich mitgefochten und der wehrend der Dauer des jetzigen Krieges seinen Pflichten treugeblieben ist). The medal exists with the dates 1813, 1814, 1813/1814 and 1815 and with square and rounded ends to the cross. Prussia was a key member of the coalition that fought Napoleonic France and its allies, culminating with victory at Waterloo on 18 June 1815. Bavarian medal; Bronze cross pattee alise with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central medallion bearing the cipher of King Maximilian I Joseph within an oak leaf border, the upper, left, right and lower arms inscribed FUR DIE JAHRE 1813 / UND / 1814 respectively; the reverse with a circular central medallion bearing the Bavarian lion on a lozenge ground within an oak leaf border, the upper, left, right and lower arms inscribed KONIG UND VATERLAND (King and Fatherland) respectively; on replaced correct ribbon. The Medal was instituted on 4 December 1814 and confirmed in statutes on 25 May 1817 to be awarded to Bavarian military who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. 16 June 1815
Wellington and Blucher meet at the windmill of Bussy at 1 pm, where they agree that Napoleon seems to be about to attack Ligny, not Quatre-bras. The Prussians take responsibility for this battle, but the 4th corps, headed by General von Bulow, doesn't arrive in time, and the 80,000-strong Prussian army loses the Battle of Ligny against Napoleon. Blucher is injured in the attack when his horse is shot from underneath him.

Later that same afternoon, the French Marshal Ney leads an attack at Quatre-Bras against the British, but the latter's superior numbers and French indecision allow them to avoid defeat.

17 - 18 June 1815
Though badly mauled on 16 June, Blucher retreats not east towards Prussia but re-establishes his position around Wavre (north and east from Ligny), thereby staying in contact with the allied force which had retreated from Quatre-Bras to Waterloo.

One of Wellington's ADCs reaches Blucher at 11 pm on 17 June, informing the Prussian general that the British general would fight a defensive battle at Waterloo. Blucher, after consultation with Gneisenau, resolves to send Bulow's 4th corps to attack the enemy's right flank. This would be followed by the 2nd corps, with the 1st and 3rd held in reserve. The 4th, 2nd and 1st corps march in two columns from Wavre towards the battlefield at Waterloo. Whilst Blucher was to hold the French off at Wavre, Bulow and Pirch II were to lead the left column (that which would finally take Plancenoit, to the rear of Napoleon's right) and Zieten on the right column would finally emerge onto the battlefield alongside Wellington's left round about 7 pm.

Though the battle at Plancenoit was to be hard fought, the Prussians eventually overrun the French right, causing the French army to turn and flee. Blucher was famously to meet Wellington on the battlefield between 9 and 10 pm, close to the Belle-Alliance farm, where the Prussian general used the only French he knew: 'Quelle affaire !' are the words that history has recorded.

Given the battering the Allied army had received throughout the day, the relatively fresh Prussian troops were to take the lead in pursuing the fleeing French troops. The Prussians had nevertheless lost 7,000 men. Napoleon's carriage was to be seized by Prussian cavalry at Gemappes, and the routed French were to be given no quarter by the furious Prussian pursuit. Blucher's advance guard was finally to reach the outskirts of Paris on 29 June. With Napoleon's abdication on 22 June, the war would officially end upon the signature of the Convention of St-Cloud on 3 July 1815. The Bavarian story from 1813 up to 15. King Maximillan I Josef turned with a heavy heart away from the French and changed to the Allied camp shortly before the Battle of Leipzig. The attempt by Wrede to stop the victory of the Grande Armee in 1813 at the Battle of Hanau ended in a narrow defeat for his Austro-Bavarian corps. The campaign of 1814 began badly for the Allies, but Wrede made up for his earlier defeat with valuable victories over his former allies at the battles of Arcis-sur-Aube and Bar-sur-Aube.

In 1814, the Bavarian army consisted of a Grenadier Guard regiment, 16 regiments of Line Infantry, two battalions of Jager, seven regiments of light cavalry (of which one was territorial), one regiment of Uhlans, two Hussar regiments, one regiment of Garde du Corps (mounted royal bodyguard), two regiments of foot artillery and one of horse-artillery.

In 1815, the 7th (National) Light Cavalry regiment was formed into two Cuirassier regiments. A very early pair of Napoleonic Wars Germanic Kingdom medals from the Napoleonic Wars. By comparison these medals are extremely inexpensive for the equivalent, British Waterloo medal is now anything up 8,000 plus depending on regiment etc..

The last photo in the gallery shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo  read more

Code: 22369

A Most Rare British Army Officer's 1801, Egyptian Campaign, Snake Goddess' Head Light Infantry Officer’s Sword. Used Throughout The Entire Napoleonic Wars Up To The Battle of Waterloo. Likely By An Officer of ‘The Glosters’

Specifically with British Army ‘Nile Club’ officer's connections, where officer members, who fought in the Egypt campaign, wore distinctive swords with zoomorphic hilts depicting animal gods and goddesses. A direct homage to Nelson's presentation zoomorphic hilted sword, dirk and sword versions of Nelson’s zoomorphic sword, as worn by his captains who served under his command, and by the marines and army officers who similarly fought in his Egypt campaign on land over the next three years, that were members of the so-called Egyptian or Nile Club. The wearing of such a sword {or a dirk} would clearly and distinctively set an officer apart as ‘one who served’ in the great hero’s victorious campaign.

Egyptian gods and goddesses, much famed in ancient Egypt, become hugely popular throughout Western artistic culture in the early 19th century.
Europe became beguiled by ancient Egyptian art and architecture in all its forms, and furniture designers and sculptors particularly, eagerly created the ‘Egyptian style’ in the Regency period England, and the Consular and Directoire period in France.

This is a most rare British officer's bespoke sword, commissioned circa 1800, with such a stylish hilt, of a rare, zoomorphic, ancient Egyptian animal god or goddess form, with its snake god head pommel, with engraved snake-scale body creating its back strap, plus, the Egyptian snake goddess Wadjet's form, as engraved hilt langets. This sword is based on the British 1796 pattern light infantry variant sabre, with its deeply curved slashing blade, superbly etched with King George’s royal cyphers. This sword was continually used throughout the Napoleonic Wars, and up to Waterloo in 1815. Very likely by an officer of ‘The Glosters” the 28th Regiment of Foot. No doubt the fact that the Goddess Wadget was the Ancient Egyptian symbol of divine authority and royal power likely had no small influence upon its choice of design.

In 1801 On the morning of March 21 a vastly superior French army, which easily outnumbered the British, attacked near Alexandria. By those times muzzle-loading rifles were in common use and the infantry fought in two ranks - one row kneeling and the rear rank firing over their shoulders.

At one point during the fierce fighting -when it looked as though the Glosters would be surrounded - the rear rank was commanded to "about face". This meant turning and fighting back-to-back against enemy soldiers coming from the rear. After much savage hand-to-hand combat the French were stopped and by mid-morning their entire army was in retreat.

As a reward for their vital contribution to the victory - and in memory of that back-to-back fighting - the Glosters were given the right to wear a badge at the back, as well as the front, of their caps - the famous sphinx Back Badge.

Napoleon's army in Egypt may have been defeated but on the European mainland his forces remained a serious threat. By 1810 both the 28th and 61st were in Spain with the task of clearing French troops from the entire Peninsular.

But it took another four years of difficult fighting - in which the Glosters lost 1,200 men - before the British, under the command of the "Iron" Duke of Wellington, finally expelled them.

In 1814, Napoleon, having escaped from Elba, once more rallied troops to his cause and the European allies - under the command of the Duke - were sent to face him.

In the summer of 1815, Napoleon was finally defeated at Waterloo and exiled to the island of St Helena. The Glosters were in the forefront of the fighting - and were the only regiment specifically mentioned by name in Wellington's famous despatch.

With a beautiful zoomorphic hilt, with its original mercurial gilt finish, of a beautifully chiselled and hand engraved snake's head and body, combined with two snake engraved langets, with its wire bound wooden grip, and deeply curved now russetted blade bearing King George IIIrd's cyphers. Deep sword cuts from close combat action on the blade edge and upon one langet. Combat damage inflicted likely in the Peninsular War up to Waterloo. Nelson's captains at the Nile formed the Egyptian Club often though referred to as the Nile Club to meet and commemorate the battle. Among their first actions were to present a sword to Nelson and commission his portrait. There were also weapons made, based on the one presented to Nelson, for the other members of the Egyptian Club, that had zoomorphic hilts in the form of crocodiles.
At the instigation, it is said, of Lady Hamilton and Captain Hardy, the Marquess of Queensbury laid out a plantation of trees on his estate near Stonehenge in Wiltshire in the formation of the fleets at the Battle of the Nile, known as the ‘Nile Clumps’. A ceremonial sword with its hilt in the shape of a crocodile commemorating Nelson's victory over the French at the Battle of the Nile in 1798, which was estimated at £40,000 to £60,000, sold at auction in 2002 for £270,650 to a private collector.

The engraved sword was one of a handful made for the elite Egyptian Club whose membership was restricted to the captains of ships which had fought at the Nile. Nelson called them his "band of brothers". However, Howard Blackmore late assistant keeper of the Tower of London Collection told us around 30 years ago, that there was a distinct possibility British army officers, that also fought at the Nile Campaign, but of course on land, formed their own version of Nelson's Egyptian Club, called the Nile Club, where officers in the campaign had zoomorphic Egyptian snake or camel hilted swords presented to each other. The snake hilted version were based on the snakes of the ancient Egyptian Goddess Wadjet, and the snake head on the Pharaoh's crown. There is a distinct possibility that this sword may well be one of those, its rare shape and form certainly shows as likely. We have heard of one serving example now in America, a Nile club officer’s sword with a zoomorphic camel head hilt. Its likely possibilities of provenance are most intriguing. Five years ago also we had a British camel headed version likely from the same club member. The French Campaign in Egypt and Syria (1798-1801) was Napoleon Bonaparte's campaign in the Ottoman territories of Egypt and Syria, proclaimed to defend French trade interests, weaken Britain's access to British India, and to establish scientific enterprise in the region. It was the primary purpose of the Mediterranean campaign of 1798, a series of naval engagements that included the capture of Malta.

On the scientific front, the expedition eventually led to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, creating the field of Egyptology. Despite many decisive victories and an initially successful expedition into Syria, Napoleon and his Armee d'Orient were eventually forced to withdraw, after sowing political disharmony in France, experiencing conflict in Europe, and suffering the defeat of the supporting French fleet at the Battle of the Nile.

The last time we saw an Egyptian Club Zoomorphic crocodile hilted sword sold was at Sotheby's in 2020, estimated at £60,000 to £80,000 gbp, but the blue and gilt to the blade was present and it had its scabbard.

The second to last photo in the gallery is of a painting of ‘The Glosters’, that fought at Waterloo.

The last photo in the gallery shows a photograph of one section of the collection in the museum of Waterloo, taken in around 1900, showing all the weapons of Waterloo en situ, including all the protagonists {British, French, Prussian and Belgian muskets, swords, pistols, armour uniforms, etc}. The museum was founded and owned by a veteran of the 7th Hussars that fought at Waterloo

No scabbard.  read more

Code: 22179

A Large & Superbly Impressive Circa 20 Million Year Old Megalodon Giant Shark Tooth

Miocene period and one of the largest we have seen in years.
Megalodon (Otodus megalodon), meaning "big tooth", is an extinct species of mackerel shark that lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago (Mya), from the Early Miocene to the Pliocene epochs. It was formerly thought to be a member of the family Lamnidae and a close relative of the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). However, it is now classified into the extinct family Otodontidae, which diverged from the great white shark during the Early Cretaceous.

While regarded as one of the largest and most powerful predators to have ever lived, the megalodon is only known from fragmentary remains, and its appearance and maximum size are uncertain
Extrapolating from a vertebral column and reconstructing a 3D model with dimensions based on all extant lamnid sharks suggests that a 16-meter-long (52 ft) individual, but it may have been much larger than that compared to previous estimates, possibly reaching an excess 90 feet, and weighing 61.5 metric tons (67.8 short tons) or more, in body mass; and an individual megaladon of this size would have needed to consume at least 98,175 kcal per day.

Their teeth were thick and robust, built for grabbing prey and breaking bone, and their large jaws could exert a bite force of up to 108,500 to 182,200 newtons (24,400 to 41,000 lbf) with the ability to bite a whale in half with one bite.

The tooth is length top to bottom
As with all our items it comes complete with our certificate of authenticity  read more

Code: 24809

A Most Beautiful and Very Rare Medieval Tudor Period Erotically Carved Bone Hilted Knife or Dagger 500 to 600 Years Old

A most delightful and original piece of early carved erotica. That is also a functioning knife or dagger. Likely early Tudor Period, 15th to 16th century. Carved in form of a lady in traditional dress in a demi-seated position, exposing her decolletage and her lower legs, with her hand clasping the hem of her dress, resting at her knees. Single edged blade with natural well aged russeted sound blade The pose is most intriguing portraying semi nudity, in a bawdy and erotic pose. Knives of the medieval era could mounted with carved hilts for of those status and great worth, but it is very unusual to see an example with such an erotic figural design. Cutlery manufacture involved a number of specialists: the blademaker, grinder, hafter (the person who made the handle), sheather (the maker of the sheath in which the knife was carried) and the furbisher or cutler, who assembled the parts, forging the blade, and sold the finished items. The London Cutlers Company, set up in 1415, regulated the trade until the 18th century. It obliged cutlers to mark their wares with their personal devices. In the Medieval era men carried their knives, not in their pockets, if indeed they had any, but usually in sheaths hanging from a girdle which went round the body just above the hips. It was the business of the girdler, as he was called, to supply these girdles, and we shall see that in the inventory of a York girdler, dated 1439, there were many girdles and knives. Most knives although made for protection, could double as an eating knife.
There were few table-knives, in this era. and when at table nearly everybody used the knife of his or her own. In 1392 a lady bequeathed "my knife which I use," in her last will and testament. Even in the last century, in taverns, in many countries, particularly in some towns of France, knives were not placed on the table, because it was expected that each person should have one of his own. 8.25 inches overall.  read more

Code: 19762

Royal Artillery, Victorian Officer's 'Busby' Helmet Plume Holder Circa 1859-78.

A simply stunning example in superb condition. A very fine gilt example. Flaming grenade (straight flames), the ball mounted with Royal Arms with 'Ubique' scroll below; beneath the scroll, a gun with mounted wheel and scroll 'Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt'.

Reverse retains plume holder and slider fitting. Very good condition.  read more

Code: 20591

Original, Antique, Victorian Household Cavalry Armour Breastplate Cuirass of the LifeGuards, The Blues &The Royals. the Mounted Personal Bodyguard Regiments of the British Monarch, Part of The Household Division

With With brass edge trim & rivets. It bears the ordnance inspection stamps. Used by all of H.M.Queen Victoria's Household Cavalry regiments.

We have a pair of these original Victorian Horse Guards cuirass breastplates, but they are for sale separately.

During a visit to the Tower several decades ago, thanks to an invitation by our friend Howard Blackmore {historian and assistant curator at the Tower} we had a discussion, amongst many other subjects, of the conversion of the Life Guards and Horseguards back to armoured heavy cavalry, after around 150 years of un-armoured service as the monarch's mounted guard since the 17th century.

This is one of those early cuirass breast plates created for the newly armoured horse guards regiments.

From 1661 to 1778, the Life Guards Troops saw action in the Jacobite Wars, the Second Dutch War
(when they served as sailors) ant the War of the Austrian Succession. In 1778 the four Horse
Guard Troops and Horse Grenadiers re-formed as the 1st Life Guards. Both Regiments fought
with distinction in the Waterloo campaign.
For the Egyptian War of 1882, Life Guards formed a Composite Household Cavalry
Regiment with the Royal Horse Guards, making Royal Horse Guards, making the famous
moonlight charge at Kassain. In 1894, for the relief of Khartoum, both Regiments contributed
soldiers to the Heavy Camel Regiment and were again formed as a Composite Household
Cavalry Regiment for the 2nd Boer War in 1900

The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons), initially known as The Tangier Horse, were raised by
King Charles II to form part of the garrison at Tangier, which had been acquired on his
marriage to Catherine of Braganza as part of her dowry. Known as The Royals, during the
18th century the Regiment saw service in most of the same wars as The Blues, including the
Peninsula campaign and Waterloo, where the Regiment famously captured the Eagle of the
French 105th Infantry Regiment. However, in the 19th century, unlike The Blues, The Royals
saw service in the Crimea and in India.  read more

Code: 25578

A Most Delightful, Original, Antique Carved Buffalo Horn Hilted Ottoman Empire Khanjar Dagger

this is a typical Ottoman Empire khanjar or jambiya of the 19th century, with traditional carved buffalo horn hilt.

Where they were adopted they had slight differences to the blade, hilt and scabbard. A significant part of a jambiya or khanjar is its hilt (handle). The saifani hilt is made of exotic horn, It is used on the daggers of wealthier men. Different versions of saifani hilts can be distinguished by their colour. Other jambiya hilts are made of different types of horn, wood, metal and ivory. Apart from the material used for the hilt, the design and detail is a measure of its value and the status of its owner. there are 53 different types of Jambiya in the Metropolitan museum Collection, some bear a similarity to this example, many with near identical blades.

The blade and carved hilt are in superb condition, the wooden scabbard is good and sound, but the embossed leather covering is thin and therefore now somewhat fragile with natural age losses.

Every item is accompanied with our unique, Certificate of Authenticity. Of course any certificate of authenticity, given by even the best specialist dealers, in any field, all around the world, is simply a piece of paper,…however, ours is backed up with the fact we are the largest dealers of our kind in the world, with over 100 years and four generation’s of professional trading experience behind us
Overall 11 inches long in scabbard.  read more

Code: 24521

1st Century Roman Bronze Ring, Engraved Intaglio of Goddess Minerva With Her Spear & Shield, Inlaid With Red Enamel. For Such As A Roman Centurion or An Equites

Henig type Xb. Although the surface is age worn one can see her helmeted head, spear and shield, and her shield and robe are decorated with inlaid red enamel.
This is a wonderful, high middle status ancient Roman ring, of centurion or equestrian quality, from the time of the Emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius & Nero.
Classified by the seminal classification of ancient ring forms, by Dr. Martin Henig, as Ancient Roman, Henig type Xb. Roman ring around 1900 years old. In copper bronze with great, natural age patination. Beautifully carved intaglio seal detail of wide oval bezel affixed to flattened shoulders engraved copper alloy, with a fair amount of aged surface russetting. Almost identical to one found in the UK, near Hadrian's Wall (but that example had no rare enamel work}. The ring was important for displaying the Roman's status. For example Tiberius, who was after all left-handed according to Suetonius, thus displays a ring in his bronze portrait as the Pontifex Maximus:

From a small collection of British recovered original Roman rings, all in excavated condition, found in the 19th century from the same location. Examples of this type can be found in Henig, M. (1974) A corpus of engraved gemstones from British Sites, British Archaeological Reports 8 (II): 90.

By the time of Claudius, equestrians {or equites} could reasonably expect an important and good career. After serving in the army as an officer, a potential equestrian might become a procurator – an agent of the emperor. He could then become a prefect, or government administrator, at home or abroad.

From the earliest times and throughout the Republican period and beyond, Roman equites subscribed, in their role as Roman cavalrymen, to an ethos of personal heroism and glory. This was motivated by the desire to justify their privileged status to the lower classes that provided the infantry ranks, to enhance the renown of their family name, and to augment their chances of subsequent political advancement in a martial society. For equites, a focus of the heroic ethos was the quest for spolia opima, the stripped armour and weapons of a foe whom they had killed in single combat. There are many recorded instances. For example, Servilius Geminus Pulex, who went on to become Consul in 202 BC, was reputed to have gained spolia 23 times

The bronze copper alloy is naturally aged over 2000 years to now present a natural green patination with surface encrustations. Originally it would have shone like gold. The carvings on rings and seals are known as Intaglio, and a seal ring was part of Roman society for nobles, military officers and citizens. They were personal signets, and the more valuable were made from a small gemstone, with a design cut into the surface by skilled craftsmen, and usually set within a ring. They were used to seal important documents, and objects by making an impression on soft clay or wax. Wearing a carved carnelian or jasper signet ring immediately showed that you were of rank, and thus had status, wealth and influence. Some surviving rings have been found across Roman Britain, in towns and military sites alike, including two at the Waddon Hill former Roman military fort site..

Athena, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of various cities across Greece, particularly the city of Athens, from which she most likely received her name. The Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens is dedicated to her. Her major symbols include owls, olive trees, snakes, and the Gorgoneion. In art, she is generally depicted wearing a helmet and holding a spear. The myth of Minerva's birth follows that of Athena. In it, Minerva was borne of Metis, who had been swallowed by Jupiter, and burst from her father's head, fully grown and clad in armour.

Jupiter had sex with the titaness Metis, which resulted in her attempting to change shape (or shapeshift) to escape him. Jupiter then recalled the prophecy that his own child would overthrow him, as he had Saturn, and in turn, Saturn had Caelus. Fearing that their child would be male, and would grow stronger than he was and rule the Heavens in his place, Jupiter swallowed Metis whole after tricking her into turning herself into a fly. The Titaness gave birth to Minerva and forged weapons and armour for her child while within Jupiter's body. In some versions of the story, Metis continued to live inside of Jupiter's mind as the source of his wisdom. Others say she was simply a vessel for the birth of Minerva. The constant pounding and ringing left Jupiter with agonizing pain. To relieve the pain, Vulcan used a hammer to split Jupiter's head and, from the cleft, Minerva emerged, whole, adult, and in full battle armour.

Augustus, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), was also known as Octavian, and was the founder of the Roman Empire. He reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. The reign of Augustus initiated an imperial cult, as well as an era of imperial peace (the Pax Romana or Pax Augusta) in which the Roman world was largely free of armed conflict. The Principate system of government was established during his reign and lasted until the Crisis of the Third Century.

Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus 16 November 42 BC – 16 March AD 37, was Roman emperor from AD 14 until 37. He succeeded his stepfather Augustus, the first Roman emperor. Tiberius was born in Rome in 42 BC to Roman politician Tiberius Claudius Nero and his wife, Livia Drusilla. In 38 BC, Tiberius's mother divorced his father and married Augustus. Following the untimely deaths of Augustus's two grandsons and adopted heirs, Gaius and Lucius Caesar, Tiberius was designated Augustus's successor. Prior to this, Tiberius had proved himself an able diplomat, and one of the most successful Roman generals: his conquests of Pannonia, Dalmatia, Raetia, and (temporarily) parts of Germania laid the foundations for the empire's northern frontier.

Caligula, Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was Roman emperor from AD 37 until his assassination in AD 41. He was the son of the Roman general Germanicus and Augustus' granddaughter Agrippina the Elder, members of the first ruling family of the Roman Empire. He was born two years before Tiberius was made emperor. Gaius accompanied his father, mother and siblings on campaign in Germania, at little more than four or five years old. He had been named after Gaius Julius Caesar, but his father's soldiers affectionately nicknamed him "Caligula" ('little boot')
Caligula's sister, Agrippina the Younger, wrote an autobiography that included a detailed account of Caligula's reign, but it too is lost. Agrippina was banished by Caligula for her connection to Marcus Lepidus, who conspired against him. Caligula also seized the inheritance of Agrippina's son, the future emperor Nero. Gaetulicus flattered Caligula in writings also now lost. Suetonius wrote his biography of Caligula 80 years after his assassination, and Cassius Dio over 180 years after; the latter offers a loose chronology. Josephus gives a detailed account of Caligula's assassination and its aftermath, published around 93 AD, but it is thought to draw upon a "richly embroidered and historically imaginative" anonymous biography of Herod Agrippa, presented as a Jewish "national hero".286 Pliny the Elder's Natural History has a few brief references to Caligula, possibly based these on the accounts by his friend Suetonius, or an unnamed, shared source. Of the few surviving sources on Caligula, none paints Caligula in a favourable light. Little has survived on the first two years of his reign, and only limited details on later significant events, such as the annexation of Mauretania, Caligula's military actions in Britannia, and the basis of his feud with the Senate

Claudius, Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus 1 August 10 BC – 13 October AD 54) was a Roman emperor, ruling from AD 41 to 54. A member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, Claudius was born to Drusus and Antonia Minor at Lugdunum in Roman Gaul, where his father was stationed as a military legate. He was the first Roman emperor to be born outside Italy.

Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus 15 December AD 37 – 9 June AD 68) was a Roman emperor and the final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 until his death in AD 68.
Nero was born at Antium in AD 37, the son of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger (great-granddaughter of the emperor Augustus). Nero was three when his father died.1 By the time Nero turned eleven,2 his mother married Emperor Claudius, who then adopted Nero as his heir. Upon Claudius' death in AD 54, Nero ascended to the throne with the backing of the Praetorian Guard and the Senate. In the early years of his reign, Nero was advised and guided by his mother Agrippina, his tutor Seneca the Younger, and his praetorian prefect Sextus Afranius Burrus, but sought to rule independently and rid himself of restraining influences. The power struggle between Nero and his mother reached its climax when he orchestrated her murder. Roman sources also implicate Nero in the deaths of both his wife Claudia Octavia – supposedly so he could marry Poppaea Sabina – and his stepbrother Britannicus.

With his death, the Julio-Claudian dynasty ended. Chaos would ensue in the year of the Four Emperors.

During the era known as ancient Roman it became customary for all the senators, chief magistrates, and at last for the equites also, to wear seal status rings. The nature of their individual production meant that designs and details show a wide variety, though there are common themes, such as certain gods, which were especially popular.

The gallery contains photos of original Roman carved sculptures of the Goddess Athena { aka Minerva}, & the Emperor's Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero

Every item is accompanied with our unique, Certificate of Authenticity. Of course any certificate of authenticity, given by even the best specialist dealers, in any field, all around the world, is simply a piece of paper,…however, ours is backed up with the fact we are the largest dealers of our kind in the world, with over 100 years and four generation’s of professional trading experience behind us  read more

Code: 25584

Very Rare Company Of Watermen, River Thames, Tudor' Barge Fork Circa 1530 Ideal For A Tudor House or Museum Type Display. From The Era of Thomas Cromwell A Frequent User Of Thames Barges

Large 'Y' shaped head and old oak haft. It bears two large letters stamped in the iron ' T & M'. These are likely for a Barge Company of Waterman mark. We had another about 10 years ago bearing the same company mark and these historical artifacts are now really rare. Recovered from the Thames near London Bridge. In the 16th Century the Company of Watermen were the equivalent to today’s cabbies. Created by an Act of Parliament in 1556 and their trade was carefully licensed. They would ply for hire from designated locations along the Thames, with the cry of ‘Oars! Oars!’

When the watermen were not transporting people they would turn their hand to salvage and found a brisk trade in finding bodies, either suicides or those who?d accidentally drowned or been murdered. By a curious quirk of history, the origins of which are now lost, bodies were almost always landed on the south side of the river because the authorities would pay a shilling for a body landed in Southwark but only sixpence for one landed on the north bank. Clearly waterborne cabbies were not averse to ‘going south of the river’ in those days.

One on the best trips for the Watermen was from the City to as far up river as Hampton Court.The trade was not without its dangers; if you wanted to travel downstream below London Bridge you risked life and limb. A major feature of London Bridge was the effect it had on the Thames. The location of the bridge?s 19 timber pier supports (called starlings) was determined by riverbed conditions and this meant that they were varied in spacing across the river. Consequently, the arch spans varied in size too and boats navigating the arches encountered different currents and river conditions at each one. Some were more dangerous than others. Over the years, boatmen christened the arches with various names, such as Gut, Lock and Long Entry. Navigating through these arches in a boat could be very dangerous because the closeness and number of starlings backed up the river water, creating rapids. In some places the drop in water height from one side of the bridge to the other was more than the height of a man. Many people lost their lives ‘shooting’ the bridge and ‘Drowned at the bridge’ became a common entry in the registers at nearby graveyards, but most Londoners took Cardinal Wolsey's example. On his frequent visits to Greenwich to see Henry VIII, he would have his barge stopped above the bridge and get out and travel to Billingsgate by mule, where he would rejoin his barge, providing it had successfully negotiated the rapids. The barge fork was used to push a barge away from an obstruction, or for pushing off from the river bank or jetty. The last picture is of a statue of the Martyr John Roche a Thames Waterman, Martyred at Tyburn in 1588, who is mounted St Etheldreda’s Church in Ely Place, London, along the North and South walls, alongside his fellow 7 Martyrs. Fork head 13.1 inches long by 6.25 inches across. Total length around 5+ foot.

Every item is accompanied with our unique, Certificate of Authenticity. Of course any certificate of authenticity, given by even the best specialist dealers, in any field, all around the world, is simply a piece of paper,…however, ours is backed up with the fact we are the largest dealers of our kind in the world, with over 100 years and four generation’s of professional trading experience behind us  read more

Code: 21232