Cypriot Terracotta Tripod Strainer Cup

The ovoid body decorated in red and black with two rows of concentric circles at the shoulder between the handles, with encircling bands above and below; concentric circles around the neck, zig-zag on the everted rim. 8.15 kg, 57 cm



Private Channel Islands collection. Acquired by the previous vendor's father in about 1935. Acquired from Bonhams, 29 April 2009, no.1. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams 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 search certificate number no.12204-218513.

Discoid body with raised rim; ribbed column-like handle with a kneeling stag above, supporting the mirror with its large antlers. 570 grams, 31.5 cm



Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1960s. Acquired from the above, 2007. 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 no.12182-221464.

Bronze mirrors of this type with zoomorphic handles, were widespread in the Scythian archaeology of the Northern Black Sea Region, Northern Caucasus and Carpathian Basin. Handles were often decorated with sculptured depictions of rams, feline predators or deer (stag). The similarity with Scythian art is clearly visible by comparing the stag of our mirror with the stags from the Scythian steppe culture (Loehr, 1955, figs.5,6,10,13-21).

Of squat piriform profile with applied ring to the foot and rim, applied strap handles o the shoulder; the equator with horizontal hoops and dragged marvered trail decoration. 50.1 grams, 71 mm



Private collection, England.