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LOT 0077
Bronze Military Standard Finial of an Ibex
TRANSCAUCASIA, 13TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.
5 7/8 in. (643 grams total, ibex: 15 cm high).
Wth a rounded body and prominent raised neck, a tubular muzzle with stylised eyes and ears and a small, slightly open mouth; a ring with a chain and a large carnelian sphere beneath the chin; a wide incised groove above the front legs, perhaps intended to represent muscles; a long slit beneath the abdomen; standing on a rectangular platform with a pin for insertion to a wooden shaft; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceAcquired in Vienna, Austria, in the 1990s.
Collection of N.M., former Israeli Ambassador to Austria (1998–2000).
Private collection, London.
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.13039-247908.
Cf. Loehr, M., ‘The Stag Image in Scythia and the Far East’ in Archives of the Chinese Art Society of America Volume 9, 1955, pp.63-76 and pls.74-76; Davis-Kimball, J., Bashilov A.V., Yablonsky, L., Nomads of the Eurasian Steppes in the Early Iron Age, Berkeley, 1995, p.216, fig.12, for a similar mountain goat as top of a pole; p.272, fig.12, for the finial of a mountain goat from the Arzhan Kurgan; p.323 lett.p., for another similar finial.
FootnotesIn Scythian art, the ibex was often depicted in dynamic ‘animal style’ symbolising life, strength, and perhaps cosmic struggles, potentially linked to seasonal cycles or fertility, showing its sacred status as a totem animal alongside mouflons. The realistically depicted posture of the animal testifies to the ancient masters' keenness of observation and of their skill in rendering the character of the animal in metal. The posture recalls more archaic (7th-6th century B.C.) animal style art found in the Tagar finials.
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LOT 0077
Bronze Military Standard Finial of an Ibex
Estimate £8,000 - 10,000€9,280 - 11,600 (for guidance only)$10,800 - 13,500 (for guidance only)
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Greek Red-Figure Kylix with Dancing Nymphs and Satyrs
Attic, 5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
With short stem and broad bowl with carination at the shoulder; two strap handles with an ivy-leaf with tendrils and volutes underneath; the underside of the bowl with a frieze of four satyrs and four maenads performing a dance, the maenads dressed in fancy Ionian dress, long peplos and himation, and a kekrykephalos (hair net) on their heads, and holding a thyrsus in their right hands; the centre of the cup showing dancing Silenus and a nymph, dressed in a similar manner and holding a thyrsus, border of meanders and chequered squares surrounding; restored. 875 grams, 37 cm wide
Ex Dr Gonik and the late Mr Wirth, 1960-1970s. Private collection, Switzerland. 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.12573-232109.
Silenus, the only individualised satyr, was a companion and tutor to the wine god Dionysus, and he is represented here in the place of honour. He is typically older than the satyrs of the Dionysian retinue (thiasos) and his representation on the tondo symbolises respect towards his senior position. -
Greek Apulian Lekanis Lid with Lady of Fashion
Circa 4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Composed of a domed body with inverted rim and knob handle; body decorated with two heads of ladies of fashion, palmettes between, waveband around the rim. 109 grams, 98 mm
Ex J. Cummings, UK, 1990s.
A lekanis was a covered dish. -
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Geometric, 8th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Modelled with a conical body and two stub legs, carinated back and neck, pierced for suspension. 11.5 grams, 43 mm
Ex collection Mr K.H., Germany. Private collection, acquired in 2012.
