Etruscan Terracotta Head

The piriform body tapering towards the splayed foot, D-section strap handle and calyx-shaped mouth with flat rim; the body painted with a scene of two duelling hoplites, dressed in full armour comprising shields, greaves and helmets, dressed in short chitons and assisted by their arbiters holding staffs and dressed in long himation; the shoulder with palmette decoration and facing figures of a man and a woman with long garments around the shoulder; restored. 381 grams, 23 cm high



Old Swiss collection. Acquired in Europe before 2011. Private collection, Europe. 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.11815-206482.

To the Greeks, lekythoi were containers for dispensing oil. The characteristics shape of this vessel was that of a long body, narrow neck, one handle and a cup-shaped mouth. The shape was fit for the function of the lekythos: the narrow neck prevented the unnecessary loss of oil by enabling small amounts to be distributed evenly and the mouth to collect the excess. The represented scene is probably taken from the Iliad and could represent the combat between Ajax and Hector, assisted by arbiters.

Comprising three pendant clusters, each a tube with balustered middle section and ribs, radiating loops at the lower end with suspended biconvex dangles. 90 grams total, 78 mm each



Acquired in the late 1970s. Ex Herr Bernhard Muller collection. with Galerie Ostracon, circa 2015. Accompanied by detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photograph.

With round-section hoop, the round bezel with a standing quadruped with its tail curved above its back. 7.80 grams, 26.32 mm overall, 20.45 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U 1/2, USA 10 1/4, Europe 23.15, Japan 22)



Ex old English collection. London art market, 1980s.