Cypriot and Other Idol Group

Broad shallow bowl with thick in-turned rim and two loop handles. 109 grams, 15.2 cm wide



Ex old UK collection. Acquired from Cestrian Antiques, Chester, UK, 2004. Ex Pemberton collection, Wales, UK. Accompanied by an old professionally produced information card with collection reference C.317. Accompanied by the original Cestrian Antiques invoice.

D-shaped in profile with high-relief mask of a satyr within a looped frame; hanks of curling hair to the brow and temples with berries to the fillet, lentoid eyes, broad nose, curling moustache and beard; ledge below and arched ridge to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand. 6.77 kg total, 30 cm including stand



Acquired from Faustus Ancient Art Ltd, London, 1990. Private American collection. with Christie’s, London, 27 October 2009, no 9. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. 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.12062-217441.

The antefix belongs to the typical decorative scheme of alternating maenad and satyr head antefixes that were mainly produced in Cerveteri. Heads were often placed in temples and displayed identifying features such as wavy hair and large, almond-shaped lidded eyes, and were lavishly painted. These typologies of antefixes generally look quite similar and appear to have identical colour schemes with dark red skin, and with darker shades of red applied to the hair below the ears, on top of the head and inside the ears.

With mouth and carapace detailing to the upper face, underside with intaglio image of a crouching warrior with a shield on his back, pelletted border. 0.78 grams, 10 mm



Acquired from Mr A.K. in 2012. Private collection, Europe.