Greek Bronze Head of a Grotesque Man

Modelled in the half-round as a maenad or Artemis, hollow to the reverse with diadem of ivy leaves with clusters of berries at the centre, exaggerated lentoid eyes, peplos dress secured at her left shoulder by a disc brooch and at her right with a cloven hoof. 541 grams, 14 cm



Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12519-231946. 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 Greek deity Artemis was the goddess of hunting, associated with wild animals and woodland as well as childbirth. She was often linked with folk magic and witchcraft due to her role as goddess of the moon. She was identified by the Romans with the goddess Diana. Artemis was born, with her twin brother Apollo, on the island of Delos, daughter of Zeus and Leto. Homer refers to her as Artemis Agrotera, Potnia Theron: "Artemis of the wildland, Mistress of Animals". Her best-known cult sites were on the island of Delos, in Attica at Brauron and Mounikhia, and in Sparta. She was often depicted in paintings and statues in a forest setting, carrying a bow and arrows, and accompanied by a deer. In Greek classical art, she is usually portrayed as a maiden huntress: young, tall and slim, clothed in a girl's short skirt, with hunting boots, a quiver, a bow and arrows. When portrayed as a moon goddess, Artemis wore a long robe and sometimes a veil covering her head. Her darker side is revealed in some vase paintings, where she is shown as the death-bringing goddess whose arrows fell young maidens and women, such as the daughters of Niobe. Artemis was also identified with the ancient mother goddess at Ephesus in modern-day Turkey and it was there that a huge temple was built in her honour, long recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Decorated on the central round bezel with the head of a youth surrounded by a laurel wreath; external face decorated with pattern of alternating lozenges, lines and S-shaped motifs; twisted closure at the back. 4.80 grams, 8 mm



Ex property of a London lady; from her family collection formed in the 1970s. Property of a Bedfordshire, UK, private collector. Accompanied by an illustrated collector's identification tag. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

With pedestal base, piriform body, tapering neck with beak-like spout and tall strap handle to the rear; the body painted in a series of bands of strokes, ovolo motifs, waves, pellets and pendant vineleaves in white, cream and ochre; label to underside 'Apulian Gnathian Prochous CA. 320 B.C.'. 176 grams, 18.3 cm



Ex Fred Bentley Sr. GA (1926-2019). with Ahlers & Ogletree Inc., USA, 10 November 2023, no.343. Private collection, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.