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Graeco-Persian Agate Scaraboid with Recumbent Zebu
Late 4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Engraved to the underside with a reclining zebu facing right with short protruding horns and a pointed ear; smooth, curved top and a narrow longitudinal perforation. 1.83 grams, 15 mm
with Herbert A. Cahn, Basel, 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00075367. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The body, head and joints are rendered in the “globolo” drilling technique, in which circular recesses of different sizes are carved into the stone, whilst fine cuts are used to depict the horns, ear and tail. In the Achaemenid period, ‘globolo’ style visible on some gemstones, mainly with animal motifs, developed in Syria-Phoenicia, but the gems did not carry specific Persian motifs, except perhaps this series with a zebu bull. -
Cypro-Phoenician Terracotta Jug
Iron Age, circa 8th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
A globular flask with tubular neck and flared rim, loop handle to the shoulder and rib to the neck; concentric rings of red and black to the broad faces, radiating lines below the neck. 787 grams, 21.5 cm
Ex London art market 1990s. From a London, UK, collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Scythian Bronze Zoomorphic Belt Mount
5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Formed as a quadruped with arched neck and slender body, beaded outline, attachment hole; high-tin bronze. 40.9 grams, 73 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Graeco-Persian Lapis Lazuli Stamp Seal with Lion
5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Plano-convex with intaglio scene to underside, sheep in profile beside a tree; supplied with a museum-quality impression and old dealer's label with impression. 1.9 grams, 12 mm
From the private collection of P. Chapman, collected from the 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Large Villanovan Geometric Black-Glazed Vase with Handle
9th-8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Biconical impasto body with broad flaring rim, bell-shaped upper section with bands of incised geometric decoration and impressed roundels, lower section tiered and sharply funicular with narrow flat base, a lateral upturned loop handle; small hole beneath the carination, rim partly restored. 4.5 kg, 41 cm
Ex Feu Dr Gonik Et/Ou Feu Me Wirth, Genève. European private collection. 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.12205-222203. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Etruscan Relief Fragment with Papposilenus
Circa 5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
Roughly bell-shaped in profile with scooped rear face and socket to base; rim to upper edge above facing image of a grotesque bearded male with arms angled and hands on his wrinkled abdomen. legs bent to each side, genitals resting on a stele; old collector's label 'L-16434' to top; Etruscan or Italic. 1.53 kg, 18 cm
The Erotica Collection Christian von Faber-Castell, Küsnacht ZH, Switzerland, since the late 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Christian von Faber-Castell (born 1950) is a renowned German entrepreneur and art collector, best known as a member of the prominent Faber-Castell family, famed for their iconic writing instruments. A passionate advocate for art and culture, Christian von Faber-Castell curated an extensive and diverse private collection of erotica, spanning centuries and cultures. His collection reflects a deep appreciation for the interplay of beauty, sensuality, and artistic expression, bringing together rare and unique works that explore themes of intimacy and human connection. Pieces from this collection have been featured in notable exhibitions and are celebrated for their artistic and historical significance. This offering represents a rare opportunity to acquire works from one of the most fascinating and eclectic private collections of its kind. -
Greek Silver-Gilt Bow Brooch
6th-5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £351
Comprising a thick tubular bow with applied gold collars, integral pin, hooked catchplate with lateral spurs. 18.7 grams, 46 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Cypriot Terracotta Mask with Helmet
6th-5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Modelled in the half-round with stylised facial features and wearing a large helmet; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 94 grams total, 50 mm (66 mm including stand)
with Hotel Drouot, Succession of Former collection Colonel W. Mutiaux, Paris, 5 September 1952, lot 66. Ex collection of Eugène Muriaux (1846-1925?). From the collection M.W., Paris, France, 1950-1970. Ex collection of Françoise and Claude Bourelier. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The man's helmet is typically Phoenician-Cypriot. Therefore, it is possible to consider this terracotta as the portrait of a Cypriot warrior, with Greek and Phoenician elements. The artefact is part of ex-voto productions with Greek-Phoenician characteristics widespread throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. -
Greek Attic Black-Glazed Lekythos
5th-4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
Ovoid body with black sidewall, deep shoulder with radiating lotus buds, trumpet-shaped mouth and strap handle; with old record card 'Black-Ground Lekythos. Attic. inverted lotus buds. C.5th-4th B.C. (similar to RC7928 Tarquinia) / 01. (14.12.82) Sotheby's H.13.5 Sh 7.4 B 4.3 cm.'. 134 grams, 13.3 cm
with Sotheby's, London, 14 December 1982, lot 389. Collection of the late Sir Clinton Charles Donald Cory (1937-2022), 5th Baronet of Coryton. Private collection, UK. Accompanied by an old handwritten collector's ticket, and copies of the relevant Sotheby's catalogue pages. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Sir Clinton Charles Donald Cory was a lifelong connoisseur with a deep appreciation for objets d’art and antiquities, particularly Attic pottery and numismatics. He took great pleasure in meticulously cataloguing and archiving his collection. The selection of pottery, glass, and stone fragments will be presented across twenty-four lots, many of which boast provenance from renowned dealerships and auction houses, including Charles Ede, Sotheby’s, and Bonhams. -
Greek Terracotta Female Protome
Early 5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Tongue-shaped in plan and hollow to the reverse, female bust in high-relief with palla head-covering; pierced for attachment. 107 grams, 99 mm
Private collection Ebnöther, Switzerland, before 2001. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00121356. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Greek Bronze Horse Harness Fitting Group
5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising: one with flared shank, one lateral loop and openwork square; one with ellipsoid openwork loop and D-shaped bracket to reverse. 52.7 grams total, 49-61 mm
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Greek Terracotta Vessel and Fragment Group
Circa 6th-3rd century B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £143
Including a hollow-formed femal figurine, aryballos, dish, and various fragments; piriform aryballos after the antique. 773 grams total, 3.6-15.2 cm
Cambridgeshire, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.