Archaic Greek Terracotta Figure of Mounted Warrior with Shield

Standing erect on a square base wearing an ankle-length robe with mantle with segmented edge draped from the left shoulder, left arm straight at his side right arm bent and fist clenched at the breast; hair cut in a bobbed style with frontal band, collected in a Near-Eastern head-cloth falling down his back; bare feet with toes emphasised; mounted on a custom-made stand. 7.3 kg, 55.5 cm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. 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 a search certificate number no.12046-217199.

The sculpture is a good example of the mixed Near Eastern and Attic Ionian styles reflected in Cypriot sculpture. Cypriot art was often influenced by both Greek and Near Eastern styles, although in phase H of the archaic period (680-400 B.C.) the Greek influence became stronger, perhaps as a result of intensified trade and political contacts between the continent, Ionia and the Aegean islands.

With two figural scenes: Side A: the first of the canonical labours of Heracles, the fight against the Nemean lion - in the centre the hero standing over the lion, strangling it with his left arm while thrusting his sword into its neck; two other standing figures witness the fight - on the right Athena, fully armed and ready to defend Heracles with her lance, and to the left Hermes, recognisable by his hat (petasos), winged boots and the caduceus; Side B: a nude horseman, holding his lance and accompanied by his dog, walking towards a king seated on his throne, holding a sceptre in his left hand; on the far right, a standing woman, probably the king's wife; a sphinx under the throne and two flying birds; some restoration. 3.1 kg, 43.5 cm

Some restoration, in general in good condition.

Ex German private collection. with Hampel Kunst Auction, Munich, 2012, no.867. Private European collection, thence by family descent. 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 a search certificate number no.12069-218134.

The shape is typical of the period, and is decorated with black-figured technique, in which the figures were silhouetted in black slip on a reddish clay ground, and linear elements were incised with a needle, with additional details painted with white and cherry red-slip. The amphora seems to belong to one of the sub-types of the ‘Pseudo-Chalcidian’ group (the Poliphemus group), derived from the main Chalcidian series

Formed as a horn with applied filigree and granule detailing below the rim. 0.59 grams, 12 mm



Ex collection of the Chierroni family, Paris, France, formed between 1980-1990s. Property of a French collector.