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LOT 0250
Etrusco-Italic Breastplate with Mythical Animal
5TH CENTURY B.C.
11 1/4 in. (626 grams total, 28.5 cm high including stand).
Displaying a repoussé horned animal advancing right, two roundels composed of bulbous rivets flanking the animal and encircling the central design; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceCollection of Jacques and Henriette Schumann, formed between 1950 and 1970.
The Schumanns inherited part of their collection from Henriette’s parents, Alice and Fernand Halphen, andjacques’ maternal grandfather, Albert Lehmann.
Collection of Jacques and Henriette Schumann, Christie's, Paris, 30th September 2003, lot 85.
Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.107322.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11877-207824.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 18.145.23, wrongly classified as shield boss; cf. Connolly, P., Greece and Rome at war, London, 2006, figs.9-14 p.101, for a similar one and the fastening system.
FootnotesThis type of armour, composed from a bronze breast and back plate with hinged shoulder straps, all the parts backed with iron, was used by Etruscans, Hernici, Aequi and Volsci, the feared enemies of early Rome. In particular our item has many parallels with the disc-cuirass (cardiophylax) found in the Necropolis of Alfadena.
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Greek and Other Mixed Arrowhead Collection
Circa 17th millennium B.C.-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Comprising a Mesolithic flint arrowhead of triangular form; a paddle shaped arrowhead with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib (Elamite or Old Babylonian); a fully developed bronze arrowhead with a large lozenge-section midrib and triangular barbed blade; an arrowhead with a long slender blade with rounded shoulders and wide flat mid-rib (both Luristan); two bronze arrowheads with slender lozenge-shaped blade and socket extending near the tip, with a side lug (Scythian); a lozenge form blade with a wide socket and high mid-rib (Greek); a large arrowhead with leaf-shaped blade and thin stop ridge collar; a sub-triangular arrowhead with the blade running diagonally to the stop ridge collar at its base; a lozenge-shaped arrowhead with a flat blade, circular stop ridge and long spiked tang (all three Roman); a bronze votive arrow. 75 grams total, 32-96 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.
In the Greek warfare, archers were mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. This explains the great range of Scythian arrowheads also found on the Greek sites. -
Greek Bronze Chalcidian Helmet
5th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,667
Of Kunze Group VII, formed from two curved segments, each with a flared rim, nasal, raised panels to the upper section of the bowl, repoussé ridge forming curved brows, a recess for the ear to each side; star-shaped attachment to the top with slot for plumes; restored and with replica cheek pieces. 2.7 kg total, 42.5 cm high including stand
Restored, but in general good condition, rare details
Acquired in the 1970s. Ex private Austrian collection. The Kusmirek Collection, UK Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Accompanied by a report of metallurgical analytical results, written by metallurgist Dr Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History of Art, University of Oxford. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11763-203979.
Among the Chalcidian helmet types, the fifth and last typology, corresponding to the Kunze group VII (Pflug, 1988, p.138), was characterised by the presence of detached cheek-guards. By the end of the 5th century BC, the fixed cheek-pieces had been entirely abandoned on the Chalcidian helmets for the more versatile hinged cheek pieces. Several district regional workshops produced such helmets by the 5th century B.C.: mainland Greece, the Black Sea Coast, Thrace, Southern Italy and Iberia. -
North-West Persian Bronze Short Sword Blade with Blood Channels
Late 2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Leaf-shaped with short rectangular tang, corrugated midrib with five grooves extending almost to the tip and flared at the rounded shoulders. 347 grams, 47.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The metalworking techniques used in making bronze weapons in early Iran were very complex. Surfaces were often finished in repoussé work, and some of the weapons were chased, others engraved. The function of the ridges here was not only decorative, but principally to reduce suction and thus allow the blade to be withdrawn speedily. The ruling elites of warrior horsemen were buried in the graves with their weapons and horses.
