Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0271
Achaemenid Heavy Gold Earring Pair
CIRCA 6TH-4TH CENTURY B.C.
1 1/2 in. (23.78 grams total, 38 mm each).
A matched pair of large earrings decorated with pomegranates on the outer edge, the crescentic body divided in transversal grooves representing the abdomen of a bee, with granulation on the inner and outer edge, a horizontal gold wire with circlets to the centre. [2]
Provenance
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.12326-223715.
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.
Literature
See very similar earrings in the Metropolitan Museum, accession no. 1995.180a,b; Schmidt, E.F., Persepolis I, Structures, Reliefs, Inscriptions, Chicago, 1953; Schmidt, E.F., Persepolis II, Contents of the Treasury and other discoveries, Chicago, 1957, pl.44 no.27; J.M., Gold Jewellery in Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine Egypt, In two volumes, Volume 2 – Figures, Durham, 1990; Ogden, J. and Williams, D., Greek Gold Jewelry of The Classical World, New York, 1994.
Footnotes
Fruit were generally considered to be a symbol of sensuality, temptation and fertility; the giving and accepting of fruit may be regarded as a symbolic sexual act, or at least a prelude to marriage. It follows naturally that the pomegranate, with its innumerable fleshy seeds symbolising life and fecundity, was an attribute of Aphrodite.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
South Arabian Alabaster Bowl with Decorations
5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Shallow in profile with chamfered rim, concentric circles to inner face with arcading in two tiers; marine encrustation to exterior. 217 grams, 12.9 cm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. 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. -
South Arabian Alabaster Sculpture of a Man with Inscription
3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
On a rectangular background, shallow sockets and grooved eyebrows, elongated nose and face, mouth faintly indicated by a straight incised line, large, protruding ears; traces of beard under the chin, vertical lines representing hair; name engraved in Arabian letters beneath the chin; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 3.62 kg total, 27.1 cm including stand
UK collection, 1990s. Acquired on the UK art market, before 2000. Private collection, Mr M.V., a London-based businessman. 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.
Within South Arabia, there was a well-developed ancient tradition of carving funerary sculptures from a calcite-alabaster stone. The eyes and eyebrows of the heads were usually inlaid or (like probably here) highlighted with red or black pigment. The figure is inscribed on the base with the name of the dedicant, or with the personal name of the dead person. -
Syro-Hittite Lead Idol
12th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
A figural plaque in two pieces depicting a stylised female, lentoid head with curly hair, pinched nose and large eyes, wearing long earrings, long neck adorned with torcs, her arms raised to hold the breasts, wide hips, legs held together, raised decoration to the pubic area. 6.05 grams, 62 mm
Fine condition, repaired.
Property of a Mayfair lady; formerly in an important London collection formed since 1965. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. 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.
