Cypriot Snake-Type Bichrome Terracotta Vessel

Each with a decoratively twisted ear hook and lion head terminal with ornamental collar adorned with filigree spirals and granule clusters; non-identical. 3.05 grams total, 15-21 mm



Acquired between 1950-1970s. Ex Swiss private collection.

Of oblate profile with narrow base, two lateral loop handles to the shoulder, broad neck and flared rim to the mouth; painted bands of circumferential geometric ornament, linear with interstitial concentric circles; repaired. 10.45 kg, 59 cm



Ex Barbara Gersch collection, California, USA, acquired in 1993. Acquired from Bonhams, London, 24 October 2012, no.59. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages and the original lot tag. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12048-212118.

Of square shape, used for making various jewellery elements: small circles, ear-drop pendants, rosettes with striated lines and locating holes on the surface. 114 grams, 63 mm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

Plaques of this type were half of a mould for small objects such as ribbed bobbin-shaped or spherical beads or crescent-shaped pendants. They must have been made for casting, judging by the pouring channels and the circular holes for fixing it to another corresponding half. Ribbed globular and ‘grain of wheat’ gold beads were common in Cyprus and Crete. Similar moulds with pouring channels have been found in the Near East, while open moulds intended for glass ornaments with flat backs have been found in the Aegean.