Archaic Cypriot Head of a Male Votary

The ovoid body decorated with a combat scene, band of tendrils and leaves to the shoulder and vertical bands to the slender neck, trumpet-shaped mouth, strap handle and discoid foot; the scene comprising three Hoplites, the first in tall-crested Corinthian helmet, cuirass and greaves, xiphos hanging on his right side, thrusting with his long spear over his ellipsoid shield towards the middle figure, running forwards but with his helmetted head turned towards his attacker, using his Boeotian shield to ward off the blow while manoeuvring his own spear which is blocked by the third figure advancing against him, with spear held underarm, with birds in flight above. 481 grams, 26.5 cm



Private collection, Southern Germany, acquired in 1960s. with Paul-Francis Jacquier, Numismatique Antique, Münzen und Kunst der Antique, 13 September 2013. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12189-222313.

The clothing and weapons of the hoplites are detailed copies of hoplites of late decades of 6th century B.C. The left warrior wears a Corinthian helmet with a high crest, a richly decorated robe and greaves. His round Attic shield, from which a richly pleated chlamys hangs down, is decorated with large circles. The middle and the right hoplite wear Corinthian helmets with a lower crest, and also beautifully decorated robes and greaves. They hold very large, Boeotian-shaped shields with striking bundles of lightning and 'flames'. As a beautiful counterpart to the left fighter, the right warrior carries a chlamys with long folds over his shoulder.

Squat unglazed vessel with conical body, narrow shoulder, broad tubular neck and everted rim, two strap handles; painted with radiating segments to rim, ring-and-dot motifs to neck and shoulder, horizontal bands. 341 grams, 14 cm wide



Private American collection. Acquired from Bonhams, London, 29 April 2009, no.341 (part). From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages and original lot tag.

Comprising: a tubular green glass fitting with applied white-glass spines, pinched beak and broad eyes with spurs at the ears, probably an owl; a D-shaped oblate with central piercing and spurs to the angles, perhaps a bird; similar with longer curved spurs, probably a duck. 11.4 grams total, 17-29 mm



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.12310-222342.