Graeco-Persian Bronze Ring Group

Modelled with semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing, the base displaying a battle showing a mature and muscular naked man grappling with a winged gryphon; drilled for suspension. 2.29 grams, 16 mm



Ex F.A., Brussels, 1980. Private collection of a London antiquarian.

Combat between a man and gryphon is a well-attested subject matter on Greek scarabs. A faience factory was found in Naukratis by Flinders-Petrie, with innumerable faience and discarded moulds. The motifs on the bottom surface are repetitive and hurriedly worked. They depict lucky symbols or representative subjects (lions with sun disc, ibex, Horus falcons, lotus flowers); such motifs had already been adopted into Greek art but are generally considered typically Egyptian. Here the subject of a fight against a gryphon is Greek, although the style of the fighting character seems Phoenician, which points to Eastern Mediterranean workmanship, possibly on the Island of Rhodes.

The carinated bowl displaying a decorative frieze of pricked semi-circles or fans over a cluster of incised bands, the bowl emerging from a stepped ribbed base, tapering stem and splayed foot; likely Rasmussen Type 2c, repaired. 460 grams, 16 cm wide



Acquired in the 1960s. Ex J. Bowman collection, Massachusetts, USA. with Aphrodite Gallery, New York, 24 September 2018, lot 17. Accompanied by detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photograph.

Each composed of a tiered discoid head with polished garnet inlays in claw settings, filigree to the outer perimeter, tapering hook to reverse and three dangles below, the central one formed as an amphora with scrolled handles, three polished garnet cabochons to the equator and a garnet bead to base; flanked by two lotus or bud-shaped charms on short lengths of chain. 14.28 grams total, 52-57 mm



Acquired 1970-2010. From the collection of a late Japanese gentleman.