Cypriot Terracotta Figure Head Collection

Of squat profile, with circumferential band of vertical ribbing to the exterior wall, broad flat rim incorporating two shallow lateral blocks, pierced vertically to accept a handle. 148 grams, 82 mm wide



Acquired from Galerie Serres, Paris, before 1980. Formerly in a French private collection. H.B. collection since 2012. Private collection, England. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12312-215584.

Glassmaking and glass-working were considered to be two separate crafts and took place in different regions during the Hellenistic period. Each craft was characterised by its own technological tradition, know-how and equipment. Glassmakers and glassworkers did not need to have an understanding of glass vessel manufacture and primary production respectively in order to carry out their tasks. Glassmaking had to take place as close as possible to the sources of the raw materials used, namely sand and mineral natron. Raw glass was traded throughout the Mediterranean in the form of ingots and it was then worked and shaped into vessels, inlays, jewellery, etc, in various locations. A lot of glass production took place on the Syro-Palestinian coast as well as the broader Levant and Egypt, with centres of manufacture in the royal capitals of Antioch and Alexandria. The reputation of the Alexandrian workshop is well-understood from luxury glass vessels decorated with Egyptian-style buildings or characteristic scenes found as far away as Italy and Afghanistan.

Raised fluting decorating the body, broad c-section neck and everted rim, segmented openwork handle. 174 grams, 90 mm high



Acquired in the 1960s-1970s. Ex European private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11856-206542.

Bulbous vessel with narrow neck, broad rim to the mouth and short strap handle to the rear; circumferential rings of pellets and horizontal bands to the body, rosette to the rim, wave pattern to the shoulder; foot absent. 36 grams, 61 mm



Ex H. Norry collection, 1980s-1990s.

From the 8th century B.C. Corinthian pottery vessels were exported to Greek colonies in South Italy and the coast of Asia Minor. They were used to hold perfumed oil, an essential item for the wealthy middle classes of the time. In Italy, especially in Etruria, local workshops produced imitations of Corinthian vessel types for a clientele of Greek settlers and local populations with a taste for Greek fashions.