TimeLine Auctions Limited


363 Main Road, Harwich, United Kingdom CO12 4DN
+44 0-1277-815121

About Auction House

Since its founding, TimeLine has connected thousands of collectors with ancient art, introducing new enthusiasts to the joy of collecting and providing a platform for established collectors to develop and expand their collections. Through our beautiful catalogues, website, viewing days and rostrum auctions in central London, we invite you to learn about, enjoy and own antiquities from across the ancient world. Our auctions bring together unique pieces from ancient civilisations ranging from Ancient Egypt, Early-Medieval Europe and the classical Mediterranean to the ancient cultures of India an...Read More
d Southeast Asia, China and the pre-Columbian Americas.Read Less

Auction Previews & News

1 Results
  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    TimeLine’s Nov. 26-Dec. 1 Antiquities Auction offers astounding trove of cultural artifacts dating from Bronze Age through Pre-Columbian era

    Awe-inspiring six-day event features impeccably-curated and well-provenanced art objects, ancient coins, jewelry and historical arms and armor Egyptian Bronze Head of a Pharaoh with Inlaid Eyes HARWICH, U.K. – Britain’s TimeLine Auctions, the world’s foremost auctioneers of ancient art and antiquities, takes pride in announcing details of one of their largest-ever sales, a six-day event opening on Tuesday, November 26 and concluding on Sunday, December 1. This exciting auction welcomes the holiday season with an unprecedented, fully-curated array of rare and historically important objects, each notable for its quality and distinguished provenance. Bidders may participate worldwide through several bidding methods, including live at the gallery, by phone, absentee, or live online through a choice of several platforms. In addition to the generously illustrated online catalog, expertly-narrated, high-quality videos of many auction lots may be viewed on TimeLine Auctions’ website.  The mysterious traditions of Ancient Egypt are recalled in one of the auction’s premier lots, a bronze head of a pharaoh dating to the Third Intermediate Period, 21st-22nd Dynasty, circa 1069-900 BC. Crafted as a hollow-form mask with a reeded headdress, the face has later gold inlays on its inlaid eyes and eyebrows, as do the chin straps of the subject’s plaited “false beard.” Standing 10 5/8 inches inclusive of its stand, this mesmerizing artwork has a long trail of ownership that can be traced back to the 1960s, when it was part of a French family collection. In 2003, it appeared at an exhibition sale at Rennes Encheres (Bretagne); and 10 years later at Mansour Gallery in London. Most recently, it was held in successive UK private collections. It comes to auction with an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan and is estimated at £40,000-£60,000 ($50,510-$75,770). An early Dynastic (IIIB, 2400-2340 BC) terracotta administrative cuneiform tablet is pillow-shaped and serves to record the owners or shepherds tending 146 sheep. The densely cuneiform text is etched into the tablet’s two broad faces and one edge, rendering a striking appearance. This fascinating relic was acquired from Laemmie Gallery in Los Angeles in the early 1970s and remained in the same hands until…

    AuctionDaily
  • The Kelton’ Gandharan half-round schist head of a Bodhisattva (probably Maitreya), 3rd-6th century AD, exquisitely carved and detailed with arched brow, aquiline nose, neat moustache and full lips; the eyes heavily lidded. Urna to forehead. Curling locks gathered into ushnisha with brow band below. For similar, see Jongeward’s 2018 reference ‘Buddhist Art of Gandhara: In the Ashmolean Museum.’ Exhibited at Frieze Masters, London, 2023. Weight: 14.3kg. Height: 34cm (13 3/8in) on custom stand. From private collection of Richard Kelton (1929-2019), California, USA; acquired 1982, thence by descent; with Abell Auctions, Los Angeles, September 2022; to the present owner. Estimate: £15,000-£20,000 ($19,785-$26,380)
    Auction Industry, Press Release
    TimeLine’s Sept. 3-8 Ancient Art, Antiquities, Natural History and Ancient Coins Auction offers great rarities with impeccable provenance

    Featured: Coins & artifacts from collection of metal detectorist Gordon Bailey; monumental stone head of pharaoh, Roman eagle & Serapis bronze finial, ‘Kelton’ Gandharan head of a Bodhisattva The Kelton’ Gandharan half-round schist head of a Bodhisattva (probably Maitreya), 3rd-6th century AD, exquisitely carved and detailed with arched brow, aquiline nose, neat moustache and full lips; the eyes heavily lidded. Urna to forehead. Curling locks gathered into ushnisha with brow band below. For similar, see Jongeward’s 2018 reference ‘Buddhist Art of Gandhara: In the Ashmolean Museum.’ Exhibited at Frieze Masters, London, 2023. Weight: 14.3kg. Height: 34cm (13 3/8in) on custom stand. From private collection of Richard Kelton (1929-2019), California, USA; acquired 1982, thence by descent; with Abell Auctions, Los Angeles, September 2022; to the present owner. Estimate: £15,000-£20,000 ($19,785-$26,380) HARWICH, U.K. – With a history dating back to a legendary gem and fossil dealership founded in 1858, TimeLine Auctions continues a long and illustrious tradition as the world’s foremost auctioneers of ancient art and antiquities. Their September 3-8 auction – one of their largest sales ever – includes an expertly curated array of rare and historically important objects. Each piece is notable for its quality and distinguished provenance. The fully-curated selection will be available to bidders worldwide through several bidding methods, including live at the gallery, by phone, absentee, or live online. In addition to the generously illustrated online catalog, videos of many auction lots may be viewed on TimeLine Auctions’ website.  Throughout this sale, there is a strong emphasis on the appreciation of each society’s contributions to material culture as a whole. The impressive range of antiquities serves as a showcase for premier Egyptian, Greek, and Roman works, including pottery, marbles, bronzes and jewelry; as well as art and relics from Byzantine, Western Asiatic, Viking and other civilizations. The mysteries of Ancient Egypt are embodied in an over-life-size Egyptian stone head of a pharaoh from the Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 BC. Likely from a monumental sphinx, the subject wears a royal nemes striped headdress with a prominent headband and the remains of a rearing uraeus (serpent) on the brow. The…

    AuctionDaily
  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    TimeLine’s June 4-8 Ancient Art, Antiquities, Natural History & Coins Auction unveils spellbinding relics of earliest civilizations

    Featured: Monumental Apulian red-figure volute krater attributed to Licurgus Painter, sculpted head of Gaius Caesar Vipsanianus; Byzantine fresco panel; inscribed Egyptian shabti with old provenance HARWICH, Essex, UK – With a history that dates back to a legendary gem and fossil dealership founded in 1858, TimeLine Auctions proudly continues that long and illustrious tradition as the world’s foremost auctioneers of ancient art and antiquities. Their fascinating sales, held four times a year, offer an impeccably curated array of material, each piece notable for its quality, authenticity and historical importance. TimeLine’s next auction, slated for June 4-8, offers an exciting new selection to its worldwide following of collectors, all of whom have the option of bidding at the gallery, by phone, absentee, or live online. As an extra courtesy to potential bidders, videos of many auction lots may be viewed on TimeLine Auctions’ website.   Roman marble portrait head modeled in the round of Gaius Caesar Vipsanianus (20 B.C.-4 A.D., born to Julia, daughter of Augustus Caesar, and the emperor’s advisor Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa; later adopted by Augustus), likely created in 1 A.D. to celebrate Gaius’ consulship. Height: 48cm (19in) inclusive of custom stand. Weight: 17.4kg (38lbs 6oz). Cf. J.M.C. Toynbee, ‘Roman Historical Portraits,’ London, 1978; E. La Rocca, 'Rom als Vorbild für Pompeji: Aspekte der Kolonisierung,' and many European museum publications. Provenance: Acquired on London art market in 1970s by previous owner’s father; Christie’s London, April 25, 2007; London private collection. Includes academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Estimate: £30,000-£40,000 ($38,220-$50,960) Throughout the sale, there is a strong emphasis on the appreciation of each society’s contributions to material culture. TimeLine Auctions’ Chief Operating Officer, Aaron Hammond, observed: “Owning ancient art is a truly beautiful experience. Each piece embodies unique craftsmanship, meticulously created by hand. These artifacts are not just objects; they are windows into the lives of people who lived thousands of years ago. The intricate details and artistry reflect the skills and stories of past civilizations, offering us invaluable insights into their cultures and daily lives. They inspire us to appreciate our shared human heritage and the enduring legacy of…

    AuctionDaily
  • Press Release
    TimeLine Auctions Free Presentation

    'Auctions and Anecdotes' by Tim Wonnacott Tim’s career spans 25 years at Sotheby’s and 15 years in the media spotlight including the BBC Antiques Road show and Bargain Hunt. Tim will look at some of the objects and experiences encountered along the way. From a tender age, when he would watch auctions at his family’s saleroom in Devon, Tim Wonnacott aspired to follow his father into the antiques trade. His first experience of conducting an auction was at the age of sixteen, when he auctioned the contents of a kitchen to conclude a farm sale! After qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor and a Chartered Auctioneer, he trained in Fine and Decorative Arts at the V &A, before taking a position at Sotheby’s in 1978. By 1985, he had risen to Director, overseeing Sotheby’s operations in the North-West, and in 1998 was appointed Chairman of Sotheby’s South saleroom in Sussex. From 2001 to 2003, he held this position concurrently with the role of Chairman of Sotheby’s new Kensington saleroom in Olympia.Tim’s initial expertise was developed in Sotheby’s furniture department, although a lifetime’s experience in the field has given him a broad-ranging scope of experience across the decorative arts, including in ceramics and silver. After leaving Sotheby’s in 2003 to focus on developing his media career, Tim launched his fine art and brokerage business Tim Wonnacott and Associates, through which he and his colleagues provide independent advice to buyers and sellers of art and antiques.Tim appears regularly on Antiques Roadshow, and, since 2003, has presented BBC One’s Bargain Hunt. His other television appearances include BBC One’s Restoration; The Great Antiques Hunt, Antiques Roadtrip, and The Divine Michaelanglo, as well as Top Gear!Once described by the Daily Telegraph as ‘Sotheby’s Finest Auctioneer’, Tim puts his saleroom skills to philanthropic use by conducting high-profile charity auctions. The most notable of these was London’s ‘Cow Parade’, raising more than £400,000 for Childline. His most recent ‘Cow Parade’ auction, on the Isle of Man, raised over £100,000 in the presence of Prince Andrew

    TimeLine Auctions Limited