Greek and Other Pottery Fragment Group

With a scalloped design on the body and twin symmetrical handles rising from the shoulder; restored. 790 grams, 18.5 cm wide



From the Rempte collection, Upstate New York, USA; acquired before 1980. Ex Artemis Gallery, Colorado, USA, 4 August 2016, lot 10. with a Chicago, USA, collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk Ltd, Chicago, USA. Acquired from Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, 27 April 2020, lot 2. Property of a South Australian private collector, with collection reference 20.22. Accompanied by detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photograph.

The terracotta has a distinctive shape, characterised by vertical grooves and frequently incised double spirals. The style was indigenous to Italy. The handles were thin and flat, while their sharp curves imply that the vessel’s shape originated from metallic prototypes, like shown by silver examples with gold handles found in the Regolini-Galassi Tomb in Caere (modern Cerveteri).

With incuse Zeus seated on a stool, holding the shaft of a sceptre topped by an eagle, legend to the side 'XAΡOΝ'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 5.02 grams, 20 mm



From the property of late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999.

The seal bears a classical representation of seated Zeus with his eagle-headed sceptre. The inscribed name (Charon) is probably the one of the owner, according to the interpretation of Boardman. The parallel of the image on this seal can be seen on a blue chalcedony scaraboid, type A.L.17 preserved in the Getty Museum (inventory 84.AN.I.12).

With discoid base, central recess and broad flared rim, concentric painted bands and roundels to the upper face. 129 grams, 13.5 cm



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.