Bactrian Style Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace String

Of piriform shape, raised medallion displaying male bust in profile right to shoulder on two faces; damaged and repaired. 3.44 kg, 32.5 cm high



Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

Standing on a hexagonal base wearing a goatskin mantle tied by the forelegs around his shoulders, with poppy seed-heads and bunches of grapes by the left arm; in his raised right hand, a bunch of grapes and in his left hand a cudgel; stump of a tree by his right leg and barrel beside his left, with a lamb to the rear placing its foreleg on top; modelled after the so-called Fauno Rosso from Hadrian's Villa, now in the Capitoline Museum. 18.5 kg, 67 cm high



From an important Paris gallery, France.

Half-man, half-beast, satyrs were believed to be the children of goats and mountain nymphs. Followers of the god Dionysus, they had a reputation for drunkenness and spent their days participating in orgiastic rituals. They represented the crude and boisterous facets of the stereotypical male persona, particularly of rural man.

Modelled in the round, standing with left leg held slightly in front of the right, the right arm bent at the elbow and hand held in a gripping position forming a circular socket to accept an accessory (now absent), semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing to the torso, genitals, head and face; in the style of the Etruscan era; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 321 grams, 16.2cm (421 grams total, 20.5 cm including stand)

Fine condition.

French collection, 1990s-early 2000s. with Vermot & Associés, Paris, 18 July 2020, lot 150 (3,500-5,000 Euros) described as Etruscan. From an important Paris gallery, France. Ex private Parisian collection.