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LOT 0032
Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors
ATTIC, 4TH CENTURY B.C.
9 1/4 in. (472 grams, 23.5 cm).
Cylindrical with echinus mouth and stepped torus foot, on the body a dynamic scene consisting of four rearing horses, side-by-side and wearing harnesses, nestled between the horses a standing warrior wearing a crested helmet, behind the horses an advancing warrior wearing a plumed helmet, holding a long spear in his raised hand a round shield in the other; before the horses a fleeing opponent in a running pose, facing back and holding a spear in one hand while protecting himself with a shield held in the other; long tongue motifs on the shoulder; restored.
ProvenanceEx Bonhams, Knightsbridge, London, 1990s.
Private collection, Suffolk.
Cf. for similar lekhitoi Madigan, B., Corinthian and Attic Vases in the Detroit Institute of Art, Geometric, Black-Figure, and red-figure, Leiden-Boston, 2008, figs.58-77 for the type, especially 61-62.
FootnotesThe scene depicts a battle between hoplites, possibly an episode from the Iliad. Originally, one or two of the combatants were positioned on a chariot; four horses from it remain visible. The scene may represent the wounding of Ares, the god of war, as he is pursued by Diomedes and accompanied by the goddess Pallas, whose helmet is emerging from behind the horses.
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LOT 0032
Greek Black-Figure Lekythos with Horses and Fighting Warriors
Estimate £1,200 - 1,700€1,390 - 1,970 (for guidance only)$1,620 - 2,300 (for guidance only)
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Fragment of a Greek Red-Figure Cup Depicting a Satyr Copulating with a Maenad, Attributed to Epiktetos
Attic, circa 520–490 B.C.Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £2,000
Dynamic scene featuring a nude, muscular satyr engaged in coitus with a young maenad; the satyr depicted with long curly hair and long dressed beard, a crown of ivy leaves resting on his head, holding the hand of the maenad with his right hand and her waist with the other; the maenad depicted in a half-kneeling position with her right hand grasping the beard of the satyr; partial Greek inscription above 'KTETO' referring to the artist Epiktetos. 31.2 grams, 11.7 cm
Oswald Burchard collection, Zurich, until 1983. M. Hess collection, Hotel Jura, Basel. Private collection, Germany. Private collection, London. One fragment, Antikenmuseum [ACR] Auctions, 17, 30 June 2015, no.14. Two fragments, Bertolami Fine Art, Auction 43, 19 April 2018, no.55. Comprising three fragments, subsequently joined. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13326-258216.
Epiktetos is considered a master of the circular image and painted mainly the interiors of cups—specifically "eye-cups," so named because of the two painted eyes on the exterior, which likely served an apotropaic function. His so-called "bilingual" vases feature black-figure painting on the interior, while the exterior of the bowl is decorated in the red-figure style. He painted few mythological scenes: Theseus confronting the Minotaur; a red-figure cup fragment attributed to him depicts Hermes, Apollo, and Artemis or large-scale compositions; instead, he mostly depicted scenes from daily life (an archer, a mounted warrior, figures at a banquet, a sculptor at work), as well as erotic scenes featuring men or satyrs. -
Graeco-Roman Bronze Ring with Inscription
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £40 - 60 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
A substantial ring with expanding shoulders, a large oval bezel with 'ΠK'. 9.03 grams, 26.58 mm overall, 18.68 x 16.06 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Etruscan Carnelian Scarab of a Charioteer in Gold Ring
Late 4th century B.C.Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,250
Opaque scaraboid engraved in globolo style with a dynamic scene of a charioteer driving a biga with his whip raised; set in a later sheet-gold mount and swivel ring, possibly 19th century; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.26 grams, 25.07 mm overall, 17.77 x 16.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)
Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12948-245985.
In line with trends introduced from the Eastern Mediterranean increasing use was made by the Etruscans of war chariots, even more luxurious in appearance and faced with embossed sheets of bronze. In addition to transporting warriors, they proved an effective means of controlling outlying areas, and in case were status symbols of great prestige. The Orientalizing period also saw the importation of swift and nimble breeds that were particularly suited for use as cavalry mounts.
