Etruscan Blackware Impasto Vase

For a temple pediment (sima), comprising a curved upper band with polychrome tongue-shaped grooves, a relief depicting a procession of bulls below, the bulls depicted in a dynamic pose with curving necks and raised tails, the horns painted in black; two attachment holes. 4.66 kg, 50 cm



Acquired on the European art market between 1960s-1980s. Property of a gentleman. with Bertolami Fine Arts Ltd, Auction 66, no.1. 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.12162-218594.

Terracotta plaques like this sima were used in the pediments of temples (Minerva at Veii, Portonaccio Sanctuary, 540-530 BC), or decorated the architecture of tombs. The procession of the bulls recalls the style of painting on a similar slab with a procession of hunting dogs, probably from Caere.

Modelled nude in seated pose with legs astride and right arm bent, the grotesque face slightly raised, horns to the crown; mounted on a custom-made stand; Eastern Greek. 71.5 grams total, 78 mm including stand



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.

Group of two fragmentary terracotta amphorae, one with much of the reverse absent, each with basal ring, broad shoulder and trumpet-shape mouth, two double-loop handles to the shoulder; painted horizontal bands of geometric ornamental motifs including meander, hatched lozenge, saltire, vesica and other designs; each with a domed lid. 4.3 kg total, 13 - 38.5 cm



Acquired it on the European art market since the 1970s. with Herakles Numismatik & Antiquitäten GmbH, München, Germany. Kept in the UK since the early 2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12311-218585.