Hermann Historica's 74th auction

This marble portrait of the eminent emperor Hadrian (117 - 138 AD) is a larger-than-life portrait example of depictions of the ruler. The curly hair and full beard, is characteristic of busts of Hadrian. With a well-documented provenance, its no wonder the piece has been estimated to sell from £63 000 (€75 000 euros.)

Also from ancient Rome, this bronze piece from the second to third century AD. The decoration is quite extraordinary, the long, oval neck depicts a Sphinx on the top with figures including birds, sea animals and mythological hybrid creatures around the body of the vessel.

Only about 250 basins with motifs such as this example are known over the world today, and only about a dozen of them, like the present object, are engraved in a circle with fighting knights in full chain armor with shield and sword. This romanesque bronze basin, a Hanseatic bowl, was made in the 12th century in Germany.

The Medieval and early modern edged weapons section features this impressive French luxury sword, designed with golden and silver underlaid iron chiseling. The hilt is elaborately chiseled and gilded and riders adorn the finials of the quillons on a carefully punctured gold base. This prestigious piece is estimated to start at £21 000 (€25 000.)

This 17th century Hussar cuirass made in Poland has rich brass plates embossed decor which were made for a Polish Winged Hussar. It has angular flanges at the neck opening and outwards struck arm holes which were a crucial defence for attacks, as any blows are deflected from the body of the wearer.

Ottoman Tug Banners from the 17th/18th century are extremely rare on the market. Tugs of this kind, were worn as badges of honor. The wooden shaft covered with a dense woven mesh of colored horsehair shows four baluster-shaped bulges, five hanging braided strands, and a tombac ball. The number of the horsehair braids was dependant on the position of the wearer, for example up to nine for a Sultan were worn during battle.

This golden presentation snuffbox is from the personal property of the Mexican Emperor Maximilian I (1832 - 1867) and has been kept in the private collection of Prince Joseph Clemens of Bavaria (1902 - 1990.) The cover on the lid features the monograms "N" and ''E'' as well as the imperial crown with weaving ribbons above them was a gift of the French Emperor Napoleon III (1808 - 1873) and his wife Empress Eugénie (1826-1920).

This sword was gifted to General George S. Patton jr. (1885 - 1945). It features four general's stars in a border frame, solid silver hilt and ivory grips. The commander of the Third US Army at the Normandy landings, passionate athlete and Olympian, was awarded the model 1913 cavalry sword, the so-called "Patton Saber" on the occasion of his appointment to a four-star general on April 14, 1945.

A helmet M 1814/15 from Chevau-Légers de la Garde Royale features a black leather skull with gilded brass mounts with gilded chinscales on Medusa heads and a striking, red feather plume. The helmet was the hallmark of the Garde Royale, which had been recruited under the elite of the mounted Garde Nationale of Paris and were dissolved after just 18 months of being founded.

Extremely rare pieces of Russian military history will feature in the sale, including a Schaschka M 1909 made for officers which has an applied, enameled miniature of the Order of St. George and the Order of St. Anna.

From the high-aristocratic property of the personal casket of the last King of Hanover, George V (1819-1878) comes an eight-rayed, brillant decorated Breast Star to the Order of St George with enamel band of the Order of the Garter (ca 1860) which is estimated to start at £34 000 (€40 000.)

These pistols were made around 1850 in the workshop of the famed Anton Vinzent Lebet in Prague. Extremely elaborate and artfully designed, this spectacular and almost untouched example of his work is one of the finest to come on the secondary market.

Hermann Historica's 74th auction will run from 24th April to 6th May, 2017. Check out the full catalogue here.