Eastern Levant AE Half Shekel Weight

Each barrel-shaped with millefiori patterns in red, white, blue and yellow. 6.36 grams total, 12-14 mm



From the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1980s.

Hollow-formed life-size club with tubular handle and flared rim, shank with series of regularly-placed knop projections on piriform pads, domed end; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.73 kg total, club: 55 cm



Formerly in North American collection, 1990s. From an Austrian collection, acquired in London from UK collector in early 2000s. From a London gentleman's collection, 2000s. 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.12345-225411.

Like the famous statue of Hercules in gilded bronze (the so called Hercules from the Forum Boarium), today at the Capitoline Museums (Palazzo dei Conservatori), this club would have come from a temple dedicated to the Greek hero. The Mastai Hercules, at the Vatican Museum, shows a similar club. The presence of a large handle in our piece confirms that the club was held with the right hand in resting position, and that the typology of Hercules was probably one of the two models.

Bust and torso of Silenus in dramatic pose with right hand raised, wreath of leaves to the hair and garland of grapes and vine leaves to the chest; lower body developing to a scrolled foliage mount with lateral rosettes; mounted on a custom-made stand. 319 grams total, 13.5 cm including stand



with Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 8 April 1997, no.102. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

The figure represents either Silenus himself, the aged and semi-bestial companion of Dionysus, or a satyr - a member of the feral group of which he was the leader. As a devotee of Dionysus, Silenus is often shown with Bacchantes, female celebrants in the cult of wine-drinking, music and other pleasurable pursuits.