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Greek Gold Necklace with Amuletic Pendants
5th-4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,500
An elaborate two-tiered necklace composed of granulated pendants, most with a teardrop-shaped breloque suspended below and two with an applied rosette to the centre; interspersed with a selection of gold beads comprising lions, bulls, leopards, a sphinx, and a siren; central feature comprising a bead formed as a man riding a lion(?) flanked by two drops, one with a seated sphinx and the other a stylised fish, both with a teardrop-shaped pendant drop; suspended from a plaited chain, no clasp; repaired. 42.02 grams, 52.5 cm long
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12387-226694. -
Hellenistic Gold Ring with Satyr Gemstone
2nd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
With hollow-form hoop widening towards the shoulders, raised bezel set with a round intaglio, engraved with an image of a satyr or kneeling nude warrior on a baseline, wearing a Boeotian-style helmet pushed back, holding a spear in one hand and an object in the other; a marriage. 2.91 grams, 23.57 mm overall, 19.25 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2 , USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)
From a private family collection formed since the early 19th century, thence by descent. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12322-223716.
The scene possibly alludes to the incident in the Trojan Cycle where Achilles is wounded by an arrow in his heel, the only part of his body which was not impervious to injury. -
Etruscan Gold Spiral Ring
8th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Comprising a D-section band with median band of raised ropework; S-curved format. 5.45 grams, 19.01 mm overall, 15.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F, USA 2 3/4, Europe 3.67, Japan 3)
with Arts d'Orient Archaeology, Paris, 7 June 2006, no. 556. Ex Galerie Dominique Thirion, Brussels, Belgium. From the private collection of Mr K.A. -
Greek Gold Earrings with Female Heads
Hellenistic, 2nd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,470
Each a hollow-formed female head with stephane to the brow, granulated collars flanking biconvex bulbs, tapering twisted shank curved to meet the gussetted loop above the head. 5.93 grams total, 25-28 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. -
Greek Floral Gold Pendant with Garnet
Hellenistic, 2nd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Sheet-gold disc with integral loop, repoussé design of twelve radiating petals, pellets to the rim and loop, central cell with inset garnet bead. 0.92 grams, 25 mm
Formerly with Lyon & Turnbull, UK. Ex Surrey, UK, collection, 2000s. -
Scythian Gold Clad Ribbed Torc with Decorated Terminals
4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,000
Round in section with ribbing, rectangular finials with billeting to the borders and edges, rows of impressed roundels. 481 grams, 28 cm
Swiss private collection, 1987. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12389-226870. -
Scythian Gold Ring with Pair of Stags
Circa 6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,700
Comprising a broad hoop of gold filigree ropework with wire borders, applied filigree rosette to underside; rectangular plaque with band of filigree loops to both long edges, applied filigree meander to centre; two hollow-formed model stags' heads each with applied filigree meander to both sides of the neck and to the spine, filigree and granule facial and other features, filigree antlers; disc dangle and filigree shank and hoop attaching to right stag's head. 7.59 grams, 38.13 mm overall, 18.63 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12355-225025.
The presence of stags on the ring is a clear reference to the cult of Artemis, the hunting goddess, whose favourite animal was the deer. A particular cult of Artemis was celebrated at Brauron, in Attica. According to some stories, this was the place where Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, was sacrificed to the goddess after Agamemnon offended the goddess by killing one of her sacred stags. -
Roman Gold Ring with Jasper Bireme Gemstone
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
With discoid bezel and inset intaglio of a bireme with two military standards on deck flanking an eagle; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.62 grams, 21.78 mm overall, 19.26 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. -
Late Roman Gold Ring with Garnet Intaglio Depicting a Male Portrait
5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Slender hoop with granules flanking a cup bezel, inset garnet cloison with intaglio profile male bust; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.01 grams, 26.03 mm overall, 17.16 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003 to present. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12390-226044. -
Roman Gold Ring with Medusa Cameo
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,560
With applied filigree to the shoulders and stepped discoid bezel, inset cameo gorgoneion within a filigree collar. 4.78 grams, 20.55 mm overall, 17.09 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F, USA 2 3/4, Europe 3.67, Japan 3)
From the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s. -
Roman Gold Ring with Sphinx
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
Hollow-formed shank with carinated profile, inset garnet cabochon with winged sphinx standing on a baseline. 5.78 grams, 24.45 mm overall, 15.52 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4)
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. -
Roman Gold Ring with Insect Gemstone
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
With broad rounded shoulders, inset banded agate gemstone with intaglio ant motif. 5.27 grams, 23.40 mm overall, 18.36 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)
Formerly in North American collection, 1990s. From the collection of a London, UK, gentleman.