Graeco-Roman Gold Ring with Double Actor's Mask Gemstone

Carved in the round; semi-naturalistic anatomic and facial detailing, hair gathered loosely at the neck and tied with a taenia knotted at the nape of the neck; mounted on a custom-made display base. 879 grams total, 18 cm high including stand



Ex old European private property, by inheritance to the previous owner. Ex Schuler Auktionen, Zürich, 10 December 2020, no.1211. 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.11817-206512. 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.

The small statuette to which the head belonged was probably that of a naked youth, the so-called kouros, typical of archaic Greek sculpture from the 7th century B.C. onwards.

Comprising a deep hemispherical libation bowl with rolled rim bearing impressed egg-and-dart detailing, band of gilt wave-pattern ornament below the rim, separate broad band with ivy-leaf wreath; central tondo with repoussé bust of Diana with quiver over one shoulder, beaded necklace, deerskin mantle secured below her left shoulder, wayward hair fastened by an ivy-leaf diadem; beaded border with four studs; some restoration. 321 grams, 20 cm diameter



French art market, 1960s. Ex Kanter Collection, London, UK, 1975. 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 no.12494-230333. 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.

Modelled in the half-round as a maenad or Artemis, hollow to the reverse with diadem of ivy leaves with clusters of berries at the centre, exaggerated lentoid eyes, peplos dress secured at her left shoulder by a disc brooch and at her right with a cloven hoof. 541 grams, 14 cm



Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12519-231946. 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.

The Greek deity Artemis was the goddess of hunting, associated with wild animals and woodland as well as childbirth. She was often linked with folk magic and witchcraft due to her role as goddess of the moon. She was identified by the Romans with the goddess Diana. Artemis was born, with her twin brother Apollo, on the island of Delos, daughter of Zeus and Leto. Homer refers to her as Artemis Agrotera, Potnia Theron: "Artemis of the wildland, Mistress of Animals". Her best-known cult sites were on the island of Delos, in Attica at Brauron and Mounikhia, and in Sparta. She was often depicted in paintings and statues in a forest setting, carrying a bow and arrows, and accompanied by a deer. In Greek classical art, she is usually portrayed as a maiden huntress: young, tall and slim, clothed in a girl's short skirt, with hunting boots, a quiver, a bow and arrows. When portrayed as a moon goddess, Artemis wore a long robe and sometimes a veil covering her head. Her darker side is revealed in some vase paintings, where she is shown as the death-bringing goddess whose arrows fell young maidens and women, such as the daughters of Niobe. Artemis was also identified with the ancient mother goddess at Ephesus in modern-day Turkey and it was there that a huge temple was built in her honour, long recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.