Greek Attic Black-Glazed Terracotta Mug

Comprising a piriform body with small flared foot, narrow neck and broad flat mouth, strap handle to rear. 59 grams, 10.3 cm



From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Modelled in the round standing erect with right hand on his hip and left arm extending from the elbow resting on the left hip and with fingers curled to hold a staff or handle, wearing a loosely draped cloth over the left shoulder and drawn around the body to hang over the arms; ribbed cuffs to the boots; youthful face with tousled hair and slightly exaggerated lentoid eyes; C-shaped staple beneath the feet for attachment; supplied with a custom-made display stand. 506 grams total, 18.7 cm including stand



with Sotheby’s, Antiquities, London, 6 July 1995, no.130. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12194-222321. 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 statue was probably a cult offering and presents an archaic Etruscan hairstyle, being part of the Italic statuettes produced as votive offering to the temples or for private lararia. His warrior status can be confirmed by his boots, typical of Etruscan and Latin warriors of archaic times.

A hammered, chased and soldered silver-gilt cup with central medallion of Nike in high-relief; the bowl formed as a truncated cone with a shallow foot comprising an irregular circular 'ropework' border enclosing a floral motif, or double rosette; the bust of Nike showing the goddess draped in a goat skin with knot and ungulate leg with hoof at right shoulder, wings spread, hair dressed in curls, torc at neck, gazing left; face with almond-shaped eyes, straight nose and full, closed lips; with the exception of the face, all elements of the central medallion were originally gilt; housed in a custom-made velvet-lined box. 96.8 grams, 12.6 cm wide



Private collection, Mainz, Germany, 1980s. Acquired by the current owner from the above, 2006. Accompanied by a copy of a seven page examination report number 114/2019 by Dr Habil Mikhail Treister. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12764-237139. 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.

Nike was the winged goddess of victory. Goat-skin clothing was an attribute of Artemis, but here it is worn by Nike, attesting to the syncretic nature of the art embodied by this object. The workmanship of this piece suggests a local workshop in the Kuban basin.