Greek Bronze Furniture Fitting Group

Naturalistically modelled in repoussé as the mature and frowning face of the god Silenus; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 9.4 grams, 37 mm (160 grams total, 98 mm high including stand)



Ex old English collection. London art market, 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11849-207741.

In Greek mythology, Silenus was a god of the forest, associated with musical creativity, ecstatic dance and drunkenness. He was also a prophet and a bearer of dire wisdom. When the god Dionysus was born from the thigh of Zeus, Hermes took the infant to live with Silenus, where he was raised together with local nymphs in a cave on mount Nysa. Silenus was frequently present in the train of Dionysus, fought with the latter against the giants, and accompanied him on his adventures.

With a simple curved arch decorated with engraved banding; integral pin and large catchplate. 32 grams, 88 mm



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

Chronological and geographical variations of the Italic fibulae are dependent on the decoration of the arch. The use of bronze and iron (and even silver and electrum in the south) is less of a factor within the individual type series than it is for the overall trend of styles. The rare use of iron in the seventh century and increasingly frequent use throughout the sixth century never rivalled the popularity of bronze, which remained more practical and convenient for working with familiar techniques.

The ovoid body decorated with cross-hatching, solid band to the shoulder and vertical bands to the slender neck, trumpet-shaped mouth, strap handle and discoid foot; repaired. 72 grams, 91 mm



Ex Mister X. (1931-2017) private collection. Sold in the benefit of the 'Croix-Rouge of Monaco'.