Andrew Collins - personal collection

The following ritual items were formally owned and used by author Andrew Collins. Whereas a full description and one picture is given, additional detailed images are available on request to interested parties. Any available history and provenance of each item as imparted by Andrew is given, along with probable dates of manufacture as determined by Andrew and myself. As many of these items form part of the folk magic tradition, dating is understandably difficult and therefore dates given may not be regarded as definitive.

Please note: Another reminder that standard postage only carries a maximum compensation for damage or loss of £46. I always obtain proof of posting, but as these items are irreplaceable, if you wish your order to be sent fully insured, please state when ordering for additional costs. In the rare event of loss at the hands of Royal Mail, I can only refund the full purchase price if the item was sent fully insured.

January sale offer, all artefacts now offered at 20% off the marked price

AT3. Horned Devil Plaque: Lead plaque with pressed demonic head and holes for hanging. Total size approx. 9” (22cm) by 4” (10cm). Probably European, possibly English in origin and representing the devil himself, or a similar deity associated with traditional witchcraft. Acquired by Andrew Collins in 2002 as part of the Murgatroyd collection sold by Fred Gettings. The plaque is featured in The Encyclopaedia of Black Magic by Cassiel, published in 1990. “Cassiel” is probably a pseudonym used by Gettings himself. The entry lists the item as “probably 19th century in origin, used in conjuration by a present day group.” Presumably, he is referring to the Murgatroyds, although this cannot be said with any certainty. We would argue that the date may be even earlier, as the head is 17th century in style, but such items are virtually impossible to date accurately. Some trivial wear, but a remarkably well preserved and extremely rare item with a long history of ritual use £250

AT5. Witches’ Mortar and Pestle: Bronze mortar with brass pestle. Mortar is 4 ½” (11cm) in diameter at widest point and 3 ½” (9cm) high. Pestle is 7” (17 ½ cm) long. Given to Andrew Collins in 1979 by self- styled “King of the Witches” Alex Sanders as thanks for covering Sanders’ reinstatement as “witch king” in June 1979, the article appearing in Collins and Phillips Strange Phenomena magazine volume one, number two, the last issue published. Sanders told Collins that the item had been used by a family of witches since the 18th century before being passed on to him. It certainly appears to be 18th century in date. Some surface wear to both components as might be expected through age and use, but in good usable condition. A rare item in its own right, even without the remarkable history! £300

AT8. Bronze Skull: Three quarter life-size cast of a human skull without lower jaw, cast in solid bronze. Approx. 8” (20cm) by 6” (15cm) by 4” (10cm). Bought by Andrew in the mid-1980s from a local antique dealer who informed him that the piece was one of five examples cast, and presented as a prize in an art and design competition. The item was extensively used by Andrew as part of a Templar style altar during the saga recounted in Twenty-First Century Grail. Some minor surface abrasion, but overall in very good condition. A very rare item. Note: Very heavy! £950

AT10. Pan Statue: Hollow copper or copper alloy figure of ithyphallic Pan, possibly formed over a resin base, standing on marble plinth. Standing erect, in every sense of the word, and playing a two-horned pipe. 12” (30cm) high including ¾” (20cm) white marble base. Probably mid 1970s in date, acquired by Andrew in the early 1980s and used as an altar piece. Tiny piece chipped from top of one of the horns, but otherwise in excellent condition £35

AT11. Set Statue: Black resin statue of the Egyptian god Set, standing with metal staff of office and holding an ankh. Base decorated with various hieroglyphs. Overall height including base 13” (33cm). Bought by Andrew in 2008 in Egypt and used as an altar piece. A couple of minor marks, but overall in excellent condition. A nice quality piece, better than your average tourist tat and uncommon as such £40

AT18. Necklace with protective amulets, restrung on cat gut, which appears early 20th century, and consisting of a centre piece featuring a head of Bes in blue faience, flanked by two small figures of the goddess Taweret also in faience, all about one inch tall. The remainder of the necklace consists of an assortment of 28 beads of varying sizes in blue glass, turquoise, carnelian, and other materials. Some are plain, some feature painted banding, and some have incised designs, all being between a quarter and three quarters of an inch in size. All components probably New Kingdom, and thus. c. 1575-1087 BCE in date, although some of the beads may be earlier. Most likely used as a protective amulet for a child, hence the Bes and Taweret figures, as these are associated with children. Purchased by Andrew Collins from Castle Antiques of Leigh-on-Sea in the mid-1980s, who originally bought the piece at a London auction. Some light wear consistent with age, tiny chip to the base of one of the goddess figures, but overall in very good condition. A scarce and practical object £375

AT19. Duamutef: Dummy canopic jar (i.e. not fully hollowed out and therefore not used to house entrails), featuring the head of Duamutef- one of the four sons of Horus. Approx 33.5 cm in overall height, 12 cm in width at top of jar without head, width of base, 7.5 cm. Some signs of wear, nose badly chipped (missing tip), ears slightly chipped, faint painted hieroglyphs down the front of the jar (almost invisible now). Probably late Dynastic period, around 600 to 300 BCE and carved from a soft limestone commonly used for canopic jars at that time. On the base is an old round label telling of its discovery in the nineteenth century in Thebes (Modern Luxor and its environs, including the Karnak Temples). Objects were often removed from graves by local people, and sold to westerners at this time. Purchased by Andrew Collins from Castle Antiques of Leigh-on-Sea in mid 1980s. A very rare piece, and due to the damage, a comparatively cheap example £1250