Graeco-Parthian Bronze Mirror with Animals

Biconical impasto body with broad flaring rim, bell-shaped upper section with bands of incised geometric decoration and impressed roundels, lower section tiered and sharply funicular with narrow flat base, a lateral upturned loop handle; small hole beneath the carination, rim partly restored. 4.5 kg, 41 cm



Ex Feu Dr Gonik Et/Ou Feu Me Wirth, Genève. European private collection. 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.12205-222203. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Plano-convex seal with incuse boar image; Bivar notes in his description: 'Boar, charging to the left. The convexity of the bezel surface is rather untypical. The stone may have been resurfaced. Probably 5th to 4th century B.C.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 7.09 grams, 25.3 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note typed and signed by A.D.H. (David) Bivar. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12520-230315. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Comprising a shallow bowl and broad flange rim, two integral scalloped handles with lateral scrolled flourishes, each tapering to a S-curved handle with swan-head terminals with incised eye and beak detailing; perforated whirl within roundel to interior base; accompanied by a custom-made display stand with mirror. 402 grams total, 19.7 cm including stand



with Hôtel des ventes de Belfort Sarl, October 2011, no.16. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. 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.12209-222140. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Elaborate gilded strainers, such as this present example, were used at symposia and festive occasions for the purpose of preventing the dregs of wine from entering the wine cup. This and other related silver utensils became popular in the later 4th and 3rd century B.C. These highly decorated wine strainers were fitted with dual handles forming loops in the shape of twisting animals, here a swan. Usually they took the form of a shallow dish complete with four rings of perforations in the centre in order to drain the wine. Strainers of this type were used to separate out sediments which could be found in the thick Greek wine. Examples similar to this one have been found in royal tombs in northern Greece, as well as the tomb of a monarch in Sudan.