His estate contains a remarkable amount of rare and curious items collected from Egypt, Greece, China, including Etruscan vases of all types, antique bronzes and natural history specimens.

Sudhindra, who doesn't otherwise appear to be unusually suspicious, immediately suggests that the letter could be from an imposter, someone out to borrow money or even to steal their valuable antique bronzes.

The first recorded use of antique bronze as a color name in English was in 1910.

Other finishes - black chrome, matte nickel, antique copper, antique bronze and gold - can be ordered.

Indian souvenirs abound, including relief sculptures by Kipling's father, antique bronzes and terra cotta pieces that depict Indian scenes or deities.

He has an interest in antique bronzes; in 2010, he won a celebrity edition of the quiz show Antiques Master with this as his specialist subject.

He borrowed a few antique bronzes from dealers to display alongside the drawings.

It is small, close to the size of a standard lock, and comes in upscale finishes like antique bronze and silvery nickel, suitable for home décor.

The Brunei Museum also acquired several fine collections of antique Chinese bronzes, ivories and gold ornaments from private collectors.

Mr. Coppola's company is also marketing four unusual rustic dried pastas, like rosette, which looks like little blossoms, made from antique bronze dies; the company expects eventually to offer 60 varieties.