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LOT 0070
Etruscan Carnelian Scarab with Bust of a Warrior in Later Victorian Gold Brooch
5TH-4TH CENTURY B.C. AND LATER
2 1/8 in. (10.35 grams, 55 mm).
The scarab with anatomical detailing on the carapace, underside with a profile bust of a helmetted warrior; set in a later brooch frame with swivel mount for the scarab.
ProvenanceAcquired on the European art market.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13358- 257891.
Cf. similar Etrusco-Roman scarabs in Van den Bercken, B.J.L., Baan, V.C.P., Engraved Gems from Antiquity to Present, Leiden, 2017, pp.155-162, figs.1-11.
FootnotesEgyptian-style scarabs and scaraboids were characteristic of Etruscan art from the 8th century B.C. Originally made in Phoenicia, Cyprus or Rhodes, these objects were made of faience, blue paste, glass paste, bone, or semi-precious stones of varying hardness, from steatite to quartz, onyx and jasper. Mounted in settings on revolving pendants of precious metal, later imitated by Etruscan goldsmiths, these Egyptianising items performed prophylactic-religious functions.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0070
Etruscan Carnelian Scarab with Bust of a Warrior in Later Victorian Gold Brooch
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
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Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors
Attic, 500-480 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,000
Of ovoid shape, short neck and expanded flat rim; painted in horizontal bands with black vertical strokes the shoulder, ovules in the upper part, the central scene representing a Greek Ekdromos fighting a Scythian archer; the Greek warrior, wearing a light sleeveless chiton, and a crested Corinthian helmet, carrying a wide hoplon shield, and a long spear with which he is slashing his opponent; the Scythian archer is wearing a typical tall cap flowing backwards and his long coat-suit, carrying a gorytos, (quiver) and composite bow with arrow; horizontal black stripes below; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 262 grams total, 16 cm high including stand
Louis-Gabriel Bellon (1819-1899) collection, France. European private collection, 2009. 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 a search certificate number no.13019-246753.
The importance of this alabastron is linked to its iconography, which represents episodes of the Persian Wars, fought 490-480 B.C. Such alabastra are part of a series realised during the period of the conflict and after, and they are an important source of information on the Persian and Greek armies. Here, the two opponents evoke the Greek victories, with a light-armed Greek ekdromos (hoplite fighting in light equipment) killing a Scythian archer, who formed part of the Persian army. The representation of Scythian costume in vase-painting reached its height of popularity between c. 530 and 490 B.C., and went out of fashion after the Graeco-Persian wars, when these clothes began to be associated with the Persian ethnic identity rather than the original Scythian. -
Greek Lead Slingshot with Alpha
1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Lenticular type with casting seam to the rim, raised iconic Greek letter A (alpha) on one side and the other side with a thunderbolt(?). 26.2 grams, 32 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Italic Silver Wire Fibula
Circa 700-600 B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
With a coiled spring and lateral lugs; tapering shank, and separate ring. 9.11 grams total, 1.8-12.4 cm
Private collection, Switzerland, 1992. Thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.
