Greek Bronze Bow Brooch

Engraved with a goddess (Aphrodite?), facing right, peplos around her hips, her left elbow resting on a column and her left hand behind her body; the right hand outstretched and holding a sceptre; a snake(?) before. 2.52 grams, 22 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.

In the famous Greek myth of the Gorgon, Aphrodite, jealous of their beauty, placed a curse on Medusa and her sisters, transforming their hair into snakes and making their gaze turn anyone into stone.

With a high foot, laurel wreath encircling the neck, checkerboard and meander patterns alternating around the lower body, roundels of tongue motif to the handles with palmettes and tendrils below; two red-figure scenes to the body: Side a: a high-quality depiction of a Kōmos composed of five figures, including a young man holding a torch, a double flute player next to three dancers, all possibly followers of Dionysus; side b: three draped figures conversing comprising a central female figure between two opposed male figures, one holding a staff. 3.8 kg, 37 cm wide



Ex Feuardent collection, France, collected in the late 19th century (two old labels: one with 3061-133) on the inner rim and 113/2 (an old lot label from the 1900s/1920s) on the sidewall, further old assession numbers under the base: 321 and 35). Private collection, acquired in Paris, 2004. Accompanied by a copy of a thermoluminescence analysis report no.N111j79 from Oxford Authentication. 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.11786-206517.

The Kadmos Painter was an Athenian red-figure vase painter, whose real name is unknown. His nickname was bestowed by Beazley, naming him after the subject of a famous hydria in Berlin (Antikensammlungen Berlin/Altes Museum, found in Vulci). He illustrated many mythological scenes, sometimes with figures arranged up and down the field, usually on bell craters, vessels used in symposia for mixing wine and water. A Komos was a ritualistic drunken procession performed by revellers in ancient Greece. It preceded and/or followed the banquet, whether unbridled in nature with music and games, or serious and mythical.

With raised domes to the body, broad neck, everted rim, bifurcated handle, foot. 105 grams, 86 mm

Very fine condition.

Acquired European art market, 1980s-1990s. Private English collection.