Graeco-Parthian Bronze Mirror with Animals

Bearing the weight of her body on her left leg, wearing a himation draped over her left and right arms, the right arm bent to grasp a part of the himation that falls behind her, leaving her shoulders uncovered and revealing her naked body; the head turned slightly to the left; the hair arranged in the typical flattering melon coiffure, parted into six large sections and gathered into a low bun; oval face with a small, fleshy mouth and a fine nose; wearing large circular earrings; her right hand resting on top of a small pillar, covered by the cloak; the lower part of the himation embroidered with volutes; the back flat with a square hole for attachment; red-brown pigment on the hair, white coating, traces of pink on the himation and red on the edges of the feet. 493 grams, 22.5 cm high



Collected in the 1950s-1990s. Ex R. Liechti collection (1934-2010), acquired in Geneva. Accompanied by an academic report by Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11999-211931.

In particular in South Italy, two types of female statuettes leaning on small pillars were widespread, derived from Tanagra prototypes: the first type dressed in a high-belted chiton with crowned head, the second consisting of partially draped or nude female figures identified as Aphrodite, like our specimen. The Tanagra production ended in about 200 B.C., but the models created by the Boeotian workshops would continue to be produced until the end of the 1st century B.C. The statuette shows extensive traces of the original polychromy, characterised by strongly contrasting hues in keeping with the local style. The Tanagrine elements are mainly identifiable in the ‘melon coiffure’, the intense red colour of the hair and the pose characterised by the turned hip.

Blackware vessel with carination to the squat body, deep shoulder and rolled rim, low foot, single upstanding strap handle to the rear with split at the junction with the mouth. 286 grams, 14 cm wide



Ex Haynault Ventes Publiques Auction, Uccle, Belgium, 21 September, 2021, no.30. Property of a South Australian private collector, with collection reference 21.102. Accompanied by a collector's catalogue page including description and image.

Villanovan culture is often regarded as the earliest phase of Etruscan civilisation in the Iron Age.

Representing a warrior with conical helmet riding his mount, horse with long neck, short legs and traces of polychromy all along body, neck and ears. 251 grams, 17 cm high



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

The most popular animals in Cypriot coroplasts of the 8th and 7th centuries B.C. were horses, with or without riders, with long necks and decorated along the whole body like contemporary ceramics. It is worth remembering that the horse in this period represented a status symbol for the military aristocracy and that bodies of sacrificed horses have been found in royal tombs.