Protecting the Past: Rare, Museum Quality Items

This especially curated page draws on some of the finest items that we have in stock right now – items that we feel are worthy of being preserved in museums.

Each piece is of museum quality, and has sound provenance. Most items have been sourced from within the UK, often from old colonial-era collections.

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6773

Enquiry about object: 6773

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    Exceptional, Early Tanimbar Ancestor Figure

    Tanimbar, Southeast Moluccas, Eastern Indonesia
    18th century

    height: 16.4cm, width: 5.4cm, depth: 4.5cm

    Available Click for more info & images

    Provenance

    Private Collection, Northern England; acquired by the previous owners from an antiques fair, York, England, circa 1980

    4115

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      Exceptional Collection of 18 Aztec Black-Clay, Tubular, Ear Plugs or Spools

      Aztec Civilisation, Capilco, Mexico
      14th-15th century

      diameter: 2.1cm (smallest), 3.1cm (biggest)

      Available Click for more info & images

      Provenance

      UK art market, prior to that Madrid, Spain from before 1974

      6492

      Enquiry about object: 6492

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        Very Rare & Early Yoruba Shango Priest’s Costume with Leather & Mirrors

        Yoruba People, Nigeria
        circa 1850

        length: 96.5cm, width: 54.5cm (approximately)

        Available Click for more info & images

        Provenance

        found in the attic of a house in northern England where it is believed to have been stored undisturbed since at least the 1930s.

        6772

        Enquiry about object: 6772

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          Very Fine, Early Tanimbar Ancestor Figure

          Tanimbar, Southeast Moluccas, Eastern Indonesia
          18th century

          height: 15cm, width: 5.4cm, depth: 5cm

          Sold

          Provenance

          Private Collection, Northern England; acquired by the previous owners from an antiques fair, York, England, circa 1980

          6495

          Enquiry about object: 6495

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            Ethiopian Noble Warrior’s Lion Mane Brocaded Cape & Crown with Gilded Silver Mounts (Lamd & Anfarro)

            Ethiopia
            1900 or earlier

            cape's length: 97cm; crown's width: 19cm

            Sold

            Provenance

            Scottish art market

            6605

            Enquiry about object: 6605

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              Pair of Indian Parcel-Gilt Matthew Boulton-Style Silver Filigree Candle Vases

              Made in India for the English Market
              circa 1770

              heights: 21.2cm, combined weight: 1,324g

              Sold

              Provenance

              US art market

              6797

              Enquiry about object: 6797

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                Paduang or Kayan Lahwi (Long-Necked) Woman’s Brass Neck Rings & Anklets

                Paduang or Kayan Lahwi People, Shan States, Eastern Burma
                19th-early 20th century

                height (of the longest neck ring): 13.2cm, width (of the wiodest neck ring): 18.3cm, width (of the arm rings): approximately 9cm, combined weight: 4,437g

                Available Click for more info & images

                Provenance

                Private collection, UK; collected during colonial times.

                7118

                Enquiry about object: 7118

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                  Rare Pair of Bukharan Gold Ear Pendants (Kadjak) set with Pearls & Coloured Stones

                  Bukhara, Uzkekistan (Central Asia)
                  19th century-early 20th century

                  length (including twisted silver wire): 14.6cm, combined weight: 32g

                  Sold

                  Provenance

                  private collection, Germany.

                  6812

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                    Rare Pair of Large, Igbo Woman’s Brass Anklets (Ogba)

                    Igbo People, Nigeria
                    19th century

                    diameter: approximately 34.5cm, height: 11.9cm, combined weight: 2,990g (1,498g and 1,492g)

                    Sold

                    Provenance

                    private collection, Channel Islands, UK.

                    6697

                    Enquiry about object: 6697

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                      Magnificent & Large Sri Lankan Cobra Demon (Maha Raksa) Dance Mask

                      Sinhala people, Coastal Sri Lanka
                      19th century

                      height: approximately 79cm (without stand), width: 62cm

                      Available Click for more info & images

                      Provenance

                      UK art market

                      6611

                      Enquiry about object: 6611

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                        Portuguese-Thai Lacquered Box with Braganza Cross Mother-of-Pearl & Glass Inlay

                        Thailand, probably Ayutthaya, & Portugal
                        17th-18th century

                        length: 26.6cm, depth: 14.8cm, height: 13.2cm, weight: 936g

                        Sold

                        Provenance

                        Portuguese art market

                        6607

                        Enquiry about object: 6607

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                          Early Pair of China-Trade Woven Cane Silvered Wine Cups

                          China
                          17th century

                          height: 3.2cm, diameter: 6.8cm, combined weight: 50g

                          Sold

                          Provenance

                          Private Collection, Channel Islands

                          6428

                          Enquiry about object: 6428

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                            Rare Moroccan Gold, Enamel, Coral & Baroque Pearl Necklace with a Single, Massive Emerald

                            Tetouan, Morocco
                            17th or early 18th century

                            approximate circumference: 54cm, weight: 119g

                            Sold

                            Provenance

                            UK art market

                            6105

                            Enquiry about object: 6105

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                              Chased & Gilded Mughal Pandan Tray inset with Turquoise-Coloured Cabochon Stones

                              Northern India
                              circa 1750

                              length (including handles): 35.4cm, width: 22cm, height: 6cm, weight: 726g

                              Sold

                              Provenance

                              UK art market

                              6508

                              Enquiry about object: 6508

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                                Large, Rare, Central Asian Gilded Silver Koranic Amulet Necklace set with Banded Agate, Spinels & Coral

                                Emirate of Bukhara (today, Uzbekistan)
                                19th century

                                length: 107cm, width: 31cm, weight: 3,216g

                                Sold

                                Provenance

                                private collection, Greece/UK

                                6970

                                Enquiry about object: 6970

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                                  Exceptional Kandyan Gilded & Silvered Brass Standing Buddha & Painted Wooden Stand

                                  Kandy, Sri Lanka
                                  18th century

                                  height of wooden mount: 43.7cm, width: 19cm; height of statue: 28cm; weight of wooden mount: 1,923g, weight of statue: 1,625g

                                  Sold

                                  Provenance

                                  UK art market

                                  6505

                                  Enquiry about object: 6505

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                                    Rare Pair of Indian Wooden Supports Carved as Colonial Hindu Guardian Figures

                                    South India, probably Madras
                                    late 18th century

                                    height of each: 98.7cm

                                    Sold

                                    Provenance

                                    UK art market

                                    6491

                                    Enquiry about object: 6491

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                                      Exceptional Lucknow Court Embroidered Zari & Silk Shawl or Sash

                                      Lucknow, India
                                      circa 1800

                                      length: 257cm, width: 35.5cm, weight: 250g

                                      Sold

                                      Provenance

                                      UK art market

                                      6521

                                      Enquiry about object: 6521

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                                        Andaman Islands Man’s Dance Regalia

                                        Andaman Islands, possibly from the Jarawa Tribe, South Andaman
                                        circa 1900

                                        indicative length of headdress (band & tassels): 49cm

                                        Available Click for more info & images

                                        Provenance

                                        private collection, London. UK; previously, Charles Wilfred Hext (b.1880-1919)

                                        6251

                                        Enquiry about object: 6251

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                                          Exceptional, Rare & Large Dutch East Indies Pandan-Shaped Silver Filigree Toiletry Set, Box, Cover & Tray

                                          Dutch East Indies, probably Batavia
                                          18th century

                                          diameter of tray: 28cm, diameter of box: 19.5cm, height of assembled set: 15.8cm, weight: 2,254g (2.254kg)

                                          Available Click for more info & images

                                          Provenance

                                          private collection, London; acquired in London prior to that.

                                          1988

                                          Enquiry about object: 1988

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                                            Ceremonial Fijian Wooden Four-Tined ‘Cannibal’ Fork

                                            Fiji
                                            early 19th century

                                            length: 24.6cm

                                            Sold

                                            Provenance

                                            private collection, Guernsey.

                                            6443

                                            Enquiry about object: 6443

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                                              Very Rare Burmese Lacquered Wooden Chess Set

                                              Burma (Myanmar)
                                              19th century

                                              heights: 5cm-7.6cm

                                              Sold

                                              Provenance

                                              UK art market; private collection, England.

                                              5076

                                              Enquiry about object: 5076

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                                                Indo-Portuguese Parcel-Gilt Pierced Silver Bezoar Stone Box

                                                West India, probably Gujarat or Goa
                                                circa 1700

                                                length: 5cm, diameter: 4.4cm, weight: 48g

                                                Sold

                                                Provenance

                                                private collection, UK

                                                6123

                                                Enquiry about object: 6123

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                                                  Important Indo-Portuguese Goa Seychelles Nut Vessel with Silver Mounts

                                                  Goa, India
                                                  circa 1750

                                                  height: 28.3cm, length: 32cm, width: 13.7cm, weight: 1.295g

                                                  Sold

                                                  Provenance

                                                  UK art market

                                                  5137

                                                  Enquiry about object: 5137

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                                                    Gold Parsi (Parsee) Portrait Brooch set with Fifty Diamonds, & another Portrait

                                                    Bombay, India
                                                    19th century

                                                    diamond brooch: 3.4cm x 2.8cm, unmounted portrait: 2.8cm x 2.4cm

                                                    Available Click for more info & images

                                                    Provenance

                                                    from a Parsi family, originally from Bombay, and now based in northern England. The identities of the men featured in the portraits are unknown however.

                                                    6233

                                                    Enquiry about object: 6233

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                                                      Monumental Chinese Export Silver Punch Bowl with Dragon Handles by Wang Hing

                                                      Maker: Wang Hing, Guangdong (Canton) & Hong Kong, China
                                                      circa 1890

                                                      width across handles: 40.5cm, height: 19cm, weight: 2,093g

                                                      Sold

                                                      Provenance

                                                      from an important private collection, UK.

                                                      6389

                                                      Enquiry about object: 6389

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                                                        Rare, Indo-Portuguese Ceremonial Gilded Silver Filigree Flower Basket

                                                        Indo-Portuguese Goa, India
                                                        second half of the 17th century

                                                        height: 10.2cm, diameter: 6.6cm, weight: 136g

                                                        Available Click for more info & images

                                                        Provenance

                                                        previously in a private house, Bangkok, Thailand

                                                        6243

                                                        Enquiry about object: 6243

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                                                          Rare & Large Pair of Chinese Export Silver Bowls by Wang Hing

                                                          Maker: Wang Hing, Guangdong (Canton) & Hong Kong, China
                                                          circa 1890

                                                          heights: 11cm, diameters: 24.5cm, weights: 1,083g & 1,087g

                                                          Sold

                                                          Provenance

                                                          from an important private collection, UK.

                                                          6228

                                                          Enquiry about object: 6228

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                                                            Pair of Japanese Export Blue & White Wayang Dishes for the Javanese Market

                                                            Japan made for the Javanese Market
                                                            19th century

                                                            diameters: 24.7cm, heights: 4cm

                                                            Sold

                                                            Provenance

                                                            private collection, UK.

                                                            6184

                                                            Enquiry about object: 6184

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                                                              Fine, Carved Hippopotamus Tooth & Horn Tumbok Lada Dagger

                                                              North Sumatra, Indonesia
                                                              19th century

                                                              length: 34cm, weight: 475g

                                                              Sold

                                                              Provenance

                                                              private English collection; private Japanese collection.

                                                              5943

                                                              Enquiry about object: 5943

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                                                                Maharaja’s Enamelled Heavy Gold Bracelet set with Rubies, Diamonds & an Emerald

                                                                India, probably Hyderabad
                                                                circa 1750 or earlier

                                                                overall length: 17.5cm, dimensions of enamelled plaque: 4cm x 3.2cm, total weight: 137g, diameter as worn: approx. 6cm

                                                                Sold

                                                                Provenance

                                                                private collection, UK

                                                                5486

                                                                Enquiry about object: 5486

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                                                                  Fine Pende Chief’s Hippopotamus Tooth Amulet Pendant (Gikhokho)

                                                                  Pende People, Congo
                                                                  early 19th century

                                                                  length: 6cm, width: 4cm

                                                                  Sold

                                                                  Provenance

                                                                  private collection, London; and acquired by the previous owner in London in the 1960s.

                                                                  5840

                                                                  Enquiry about object: 5840

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                                                                    Mongolian Polychrome Dancing Citipati Group

                                                                    Mongolia
                                                                    19th century

                                                                    height: 60cm, width: 53cm

                                                                    Available Click for more info & images

                                                                    Provenance

                                                                    Private collection, England.

                                                                    5655

                                                                    Enquiry about object: 5655

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                                                                      Rare, Early Chinese Images of Jesus & Mary on Silver, after Pierre Goret

                                                                      China or Chinese artisans in the Philippines
                                                                      circa 1700

                                                                      heights: 20.8cm, widths: 16.3cm, combined weight: 371g

                                                                      Sold

                                                                      Provenance

                                                                      art market, London.

                                                                      6541

                                                                      Enquiry about object: 6541

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                                                                        Spectacular & Large Pair of Mongolian Silver Ear Ornaments or Temporals with Green Malachite & Coral

                                                                        Khalkha People, Mongolia
                                                                        19th-early 20th century

                                                                        length: 32cm, combined weight: 312g

                                                                        Sold

                                                                        Provenance

                                                                        private collection, Netherlands.

                                                                        5656

                                                                        Enquiry about object: 5656

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                                                                          Rare Gujarati Silk Trade Shawl with Rare Tax Stamps

                                                                          Gujarat, Western India
                                                                          late 18th century

                                                                          152.5cm x 151cm

                                                                          Available Click for more info & images

                                                                          Provenance

                                                                          UK art market

                                                                          2219

                                                                          Enquiry about object: 2219

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                                                                            Yoruba Carved Wooden Divination Bowl

                                                                            Yoruba People, Nigeria
                                                                            18th-19th century or earlier

                                                                            height: 14.2cm, diameter: 19cm

                                                                            Sold

                                                                            Provenance

                                                                            private collection, UK.

                                                                            5493

                                                                            Enquiry about object: 5493

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                                                                              Rare Set of Javanese Merchant’s Double Doors with Javanese Inscription

                                                                              Java, Indonesia
                                                                              late 19th century

                                                                              heights: 183cm, widths: 74cm & 76cm (incl. shared moulding)

                                                                              Sold

                                                                              Provenance

                                                                              London art market

                                                                              5362

                                                                              Enquiry about object: 5362

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                                                                                Srivajaya Cast Bronze Image of Four-Armed Kubera

                                                                                Palembang region, Sumatra, Indonesia
                                                                                8th-9th century

                                                                                height (without stand): 12.2cm, height (with stand): 15cm, weight (without stand): 757g

                                                                                Sold

                                                                                Provenance

                                                                                private collection, London, UK.

                                                                                5364

                                                                                Enquiry about object: 5364

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                                                                                  Early Javanese Unusually Large Cast Bronze Buddha

                                                                                  Java or Sumatra, Indonesia, but most probably imported from northern India
                                                                                  Classical Period, 8th century

                                                                                  height (without stand): 21.9cm, width: 17.1cm, depth: 11.8cm, weight: 2,576g

                                                                                  Available Click for more info & images

                                                                                  Provenance

                                                                                  Private Collection, London, UK.

                                                                                  4078

                                                                                  Enquiry about object: 4078

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                                                                                    Rare, Early Indian Agate Box with Chased Silver Mounts

                                                                                    Deccan, India, and possibly Goa
                                                                                    circa 1700

                                                                                    height: 13.3cm, length: 14cm, depth: 10.1cm, weight: 1,127g

                                                                                    Available Click for more info & images

                                                                                    Provenance

                                                                                    UK art market; European collection.

                                                                                    4052

                                                                                    Enquiry about object: 4052

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                                                                                      Unusually Large, Silver Filigree Betel Box

                                                                                      Dutch East Indies, or possibly India
                                                                                      circa 1700

                                                                                      length: 22.3cm, width: 16cm, height: 10cm, weight: 1,675g

                                                                                      Sold

                                                                                      Provenance

                                                                                      Private London collection (estate)

                                                                                      3575

                                                                                      Enquiry about object: 3575

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                                                                                        Superb Balinese Palace Door & Frame

                                                                                        Bali, Indonesia
                                                                                        18th-early 19th century

                                                                                        height: 178cm, width: 110cm

                                                                                        Available Click for more info & images

                                                                                        Provenance

                                                                                        private collection, Ireland.

                                                                                        2340

                                                                                        Enquiry about object: 2340

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                                                                                          Fine Tibetan Gilded Seated Maitreya Image

                                                                                          Central Tibet
                                                                                          15th century

                                                                                          height: 22.8cm width: 12cm</

                                                                                          Sold

                                                                                          Provenance

                                                                                          private collection, UK; acquired from Spink, 1997.

                                                                                          1554

                                                                                          Enquiry about object: 1554

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                                                                                            Batavian Silver Filigree Paan Box

                                                                                            Dutch East Indies (Batavia), or possibly India (Goa)
                                                                                            17th century

                                                                                            length: 12cm, width: 10.5cm, height: 6.1cm, weight: 601g

                                                                                            Sold

                                                                                            Provenance

                                                                                            Christie's London; a Spanish/Portuguese collection prior to that.

                                                                                            5361

                                                                                            Enquiry about object: 5361

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                                                                                              Rare Javanese Cast Bronze Image of Twelve-Armed Chunda

                                                                                              Java, Indonesia
                                                                                              Classical Period, 9th century

                                                                                              height: 10.4cm, width: 7.2cm, weight: 549g

                                                                                              Sold

                                                                                              Provenance

                                                                                              Private collection, London, UK