Greek Bronze Bow Brooch

Tongue-shaped in plan and hollow to the reverse; obverse with female bust in high-relief with palla head-covering. 75 grams, 10.3 cm



From an old Bath antiquities collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

Of Plain Style, comprising a broad mouth and neck with torus rim, vertical handles with central rib, bulbous body, stepped disc foot; laurel wreath on the neck and a meander pattern to the lower body; Side a) a youth wearing a himation and shoes, before him a woman carrying a basket and a fillet, wearing a sleeveless chiton, himation, and a sphendone (a fillet decorated by black dots), between the two figures a standing goose before a large flower, a suspended mirror above the figures; Side b) a draped young boy holding a ball and a strigil, the slightly taller youth dressed in a himation and leaning on a staff, a haunch of meat hanging between the figures. 2.49 kg, 33.5 cm



with Bonhams, London, 13 April 2000, no.167. Private collection, Suffolk. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12903-242647.

The haunch of meat (note the hoof), was a type of 'love gift' seen in Attic vase-painting. It could also refer to honorary shares of sacrificial meat: animal sacrifice had been a central part of Greek religious life since the Prehistoric era.

Comprising eighteen repoussé plaques, each with a central boss and a flower bud to each side, the corners with alternating pinecones and acorns, pierced through the corners; mounted on a perspex backing. 91 grams total, 22 mm each



From the estate of Dr Jacob Hirsch. Acquired by Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, from the above in 1999.