Etruscan Bucchero Chalice with Mythical Beasts, Animals, and Caryatid

Of piriform profile with lateral loop handles below the broad shoulder, short neck with flared mouth; bands of painted geometric ornament to the shoulder and equator; circular vent to one face and similar to the reverse with horizontal bar; old collector's labels '8.', 'No.357' and 'Chypre'; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 96 grams, 14 cm high (393 grams total, 15.5 cm including stand)



Collection of Louis-Gabriel Bellon (1819-1899), Saint-Nicolas-lez-Arras and Rouen; thence by descent. with Millon & Associes Auctions, Paris, 6th December 2021, lot 6.

A Graeco-Roman or Phoenician chain of loop-in-loop links and thick suspension ring, gold dome with bands of applied granules capping an egg-shaped banded agate drop. 26.19 grams, 48 cm long



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection. 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.11935-210477.

Agate was appreciated in the Greek and Roman world for its magical virtues. A recently found agate gemstone from Imperial-era Anapa, which differs from the other similar agate stones in its spherical shape and large size, was inscribed with a text referring to traditional Greek expulsion rituals against evil and diseases, ending with a list of human head parts similar to the one found in the Hippocratic medical handbook. The gemstone was probably worn not only as an amulet, but also as a miniature handbook with instructions for making amulets. According to Pliny the Elder (NH, XXXVII, 47) a certain type of agate was protected against spiders and scorpions.

Composed of a conical upper body with stylised dolphin-shaped handles and central suspension loops, the lower body of the vessel formed from three later coloured glass beads. 1.76 grams, 25 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.