Cypro-Archaic Red Polished Ware Zoomorphic Jug Group

On a set-off ring foot with long cylindrical neck and funnel-shaped rim; the body with net-pattern decoration in umber, highlighted with white dots at the junctions, framed by brown bands above and below; handle, spout and the outside of the ring foot also in brown; from Apulian Greek colonies of southern Italy, surface chip to the body, usage wear. 156 grams, 14.3 cm



From a Swiss collection, since at least 1978. Ex Swiss collection, Mr. P.B. Basel-Landschaft, acquired on the Swiss art market.

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).

Comprising: a barrel-shaped jar with flared rim; a spouted vessel with strap handle; a dipper cup with flared rim. 625 grams total, 8.2-13.1 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.