Chris Martin - Antiquities Dealer in London

Chris Martin

Managing Director

An early interest in the Ancient and Medieval World led Chris into the world of numismatics and archaeology. Under the tutelage of the great Dr Colin Kraay of the Ashmolean Museum and the Art lover Dr Eva Frommer, he entered the world of collecting at a very young age. Funding his own collection through trading in ancient coins, he founded the company in 1971 and has been dealing in the antiquities and numismatic business ever since. He has handled enormous numbers of coins and antiquities, enabling him to lead at the forefront of the industry.

Chris is currently serving as Vice Chairman of the Antiquities Dealers Association (ADA) and Chairman of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA). He has also been appointed by the Culture Secretary to sit on the Treasure Valuation Committee for a five year term, starting in 2016.

Ancient Art previously collaborated with Fortnum and Mason, the world renowned luxury department store in Piccadilly, for many years and organized over 15 exhibitions based on the Ancient World. From his businesses and passions, Chris has helped tens of thousands of people to realise the possibility of owning a piece of the past. He has been proud to nurture many of these first time buyers to become the collectors of the future.

Anastasia Hanna - Antiquities Gallery Manager

Anastasia Hanna

General Manager

Anastasia joined Ancient & Oriental in 2014. She manages the gallery and the website. Having always had a personal interest in Ancient Civilisations, she studied at University College London (UCL) for both her BA degree in The Ancient World and Masters degree in The Reception of the Classical World. She completed modules in Ancient Greek, Latin, The Study of Hieroglyphs and the Evolution of Greek Art. Her principle areas of interest lie mainly in Egyptian hieroglyphs and iconography, Greek art, Greek mythology and the reception of Classics through the Ages. Her final thesis focused on the origins and development of psychoanalysis through Roman fresco material culture. She aids in the day-to-day running of the gallery whilst facilitating in the research and cataloguing of antiquities.

leia dowding profile picture

Leia Dowding

Assistant Manager

Leia joined Ancient & Oriental in 2020, straight after the completion of her university degree and having finished a successful internship in 2019. She studied at Kent University with a BA degree in Ancient History. Her university degree focused primarily on the Classical cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome, with her final investigation centred on the development of women in Ancient Roman society. She completed a work placement with English Heritage in April 2019 which included the recording and cataloguing of medieval artefacts from Denny Abbey in Cambridgeshire. She is the main point of contact for Ancient & Oriental.