Gemstone Collection

A hollow-formed bronze copy of the Mars of Todi, a figure of an Etruscan warrior wearing segmented armour to the chest and shoulders, crested helmet, short tunic; the hands in animated pose with left hand open to accept a weapon; holes beneath feet for mounting. 7.6 kg, 61.5 cm high



French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France. with Galerie Athena, Brussels, 9 May 2019, lot 393. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11691-199344.

The "Mars of Todi" figure is a large, almost life-sized bronze statue of a warrior in armour. It dates from the late 5th - early 4th century B.C., and is believed to have been produced by an Etruscan workman for an Umbrian patron. The figure was probably a votive offering for a religious sanctuary, perhaps sacred to Laran, the Etruscan god of war. It had been buried ritually and left undisturbed until its modern discovery in 1835. It lacks a helmet, and the hands are empty; possibly a patera plate was originally in the open right hand, and a spear gripped in the clenched left hand. The sculptor of the figure followed the Greek contrapposto posture accentuating the carefully modelled lamellar plate armour. The statue bears a short inscription in Umbrian "Ahal Trutitis dunum dede" (Ahal Trutitis gave this gift).

A silver seal with loop terminal and octagonal matrix, bearing an incuse griffin standing right to the base; accompanied by an impression. 3.09 grams, 18 mm



Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.

A base metal astrolabe, discoid with silver-inlaid zodiac to the reverse, domed obverse with numerals and text to the dome, removable cover with retaining bar, axle and cotter pin. 1.08 kg, 22.5 cm high

Fine condition.

Acquired 1998. UK private collection.