In my travels around the west country I often come across interesting and unusual objects:

This is a museum quality replica of a head of Benin’s first Queen Mother Idia who reigned between 1504 and 1550. It is one of the most iconic items of African art. The original is in the Berlin Ethnological Museum. This one is a fraction of the size and a fraction of the price £85 email debrux@aol.com

Some of the most beautiful objects ever made were created by the bronze casters of Benin, a country sandwiched between Togo and Nigeria in west Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries. This is a top quality gilded reproduction of a Benin crocodile. It is signed and dated 1980. £125 email debrux@aol.com

This is an absolutely beautiful pair of dark green wine glasses made in Bristol in the early part of the 19th century or possibly even the end of the 18th. They have generous bowls and wide feet with snapped pontils, a sure indicator of age. SOLD

This is a mystery object. It is brass dish with a drawer beneath the main compartment. The decoration on the rolled sides is oriental though opinions differ on whether it is Indian or Chinese. It could be some kind of chafing dish or something for writing which is what I am currently using it for, storing pencils in the top part and charcoal for drawing in the drawer. £35 email: debrux@aol.com

These iron spectacles date from the early 18th century and are the first to have side arms which would have gripped the temples. The big loops would have been used to tie them with a ribbon to hang round the neck when needed. The come with their original case embossed with the name J V Woodward, St James St, Derby. One lens is cracked but still usable. SOLD

How this chimu blackware flask from pre-Columbian Peru ended up in Bradford on Avon I have no idea but I bought it from a lady who once sold a teapot for £15 that was resold at auction for £500,000. It had turned out to be the first piece of porcelain ever made in the US. Determined not to make the same mistake again she had this pottery vessel checked out by an auction gallery and they confirmed it is south American and old, though they could not say how old. I thought it must be a mythical creature until I identified it as a maned wolf, a solitary predator that would have been very familiar to Peru’s indigenous natives. The face and arm of one of the creature’s human victims can be seen beneath it s front paws. It measures 6.5 inches by 6.5 inches and is in good condition. SOLD

Beautiful bronze raven head hanging paper clip 6in probably French c1880 SOLD

Irish lead crystal cut glass table salt 2in high £28 email debrux@aol.com

WWII Czech Air Force pilot’s Longines wristwatch SOLD

Very rare mahogany goblet c1830 SOLD

Welsh spongeware cawl bowl c 1870 SOLD

Miniature 6in brass bugle / hunting horn SOLD

Sterling silver Birch & Gaydon WWI officer’s wristwatch running well SOLD

Very rare B&Co boxwood and ebony chess set 4in kings c1890 SOLD

19th Century seal with ebony handle for securing correspondence £35 email debrux@aol.com

Beautiful, small cold-painted bronze peacock 3in £85 email debrux@aol.com

18th century oak candle box with sliding cover £165 email debrux@aol.com

Small rustic fireside stool 9in tall £55 SOLD

“Superfine” spring-loaded steel wick trimmers / candle snuffers in excellent condition c1820 £45 email debrux@aol.com

Rosewood apothecary spice tower with two turned bowls and lids and a smaller for grinding the spices. Early 19th C 8in x 4.75in small chip on base SOLD

Small Arts and Crafts carved oak foot stool with barleytwist stretcher 12in x 8in x 8in SOLD

Wonderful large sycamore dairy bowl circa 1850 14in diameter £175 email debrux@aol.com

Small 18th century carved elm coffer with original lock and ironware 24in x 14in x 12in £175 email debrux@aol.com

Beautifully turned mid-19th century treen boxwood apple corer or cheese scoop. 7.5in SOLD

Banded agate and ormolu snuff or pill box 19th century Scottish 5cm SOLD

Small War Department ammunition tin dated 1938 with broad arrow. SOLD