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LOT 0077
Greek Bronze Mirror with Eros and Aphrodite
LATE CLASSIC-EARLY HELLENISTIC PERIOD, MID-LATE 4TH CENTURY B.C.
6 in. (1.17 kg total, 15 cm).
A circular box mirror comprising: a lid featuring a hammered sheet repoussé appliqué of Eros and Aphrodite, god and goddess of love, standing on either side of a thymiaterion, or censer associated with religious worship and ritual; Eros with wings outstretched, left hand supporting the top tier of the censer, right hand lowered to his side holding a wreath(?); much delicate incised detailing to his wings indicating a feathered texture; Aphrodite standing to the right, wearing a floor-length woollen tunic or chiton, a pleated himation around her waist and draped over her left arm; right hand held above the top tier of the censer; the scene is framed within an incised circular roundel; the interior of the lid, and the base including its flange, featuring a series of lathe-turned concentric circular mouldings; both halves mounted on a cleverly designed custom-made stand, which reproduces the human act of lifting the lid off the mirror base; museum-quality.
ProvenancePrivate collection, London, 1975.
with Christie's, Rockefeller Plaza, New York, 9 June 2011, no.109.
Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages.
Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Kallos Gallery catalogue pages where the mirror is published.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12054-213612.
A Greek Bronze Mirror and Cover, Kallos Gallery Catalogue 4, London W1, UK, 2019, item no.13.
LiteratureSee Comstock, M. and Vermeule, C., Greek, Etruscan and Roman Bronzes in the Museum of Fine Art Boston, 1971, no.36; see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 07.259, for another example of a box mirror featuring Eros.
FootnotesHandleless mirrors were luxury items that began to be produced in the second half of the 5th century B.C. Themes surrounding Aphrodite were very popular at this time. During the 4th century B.C. Eros was commonly depicted as a slim youth approaching manhood rather than as a child, as he is shown here on our example. Eros and Aphrodite are the two Greek deities most famously believed to induce desire.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0077
Greek Bronze Mirror with Eros and Aphrodite
Estimate £12,000 - 17,000€13,920 - 19,720 (for guidance only)$16,200 - 22,950 (for guidance only)
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Greek Terracotta Vessel Collection
Circa 4th century B.C.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Mixed group comprising: blackware footed jug with loop handle, high-relief mask of Apollo, old collector's label inside the foot 'Carnac 1846'; blackware amphora with strap handles (one absent), band of rosettes to the neck, old collector's labels 'Carnac 1846' to base and body; amphora with marine encrustation, old collector's label (illegible). 526 grams total, 98-120 mm
Collected circa 1846. From a 19th century collection. Acquired by a previous vendor's father in the 1930s-1940s. Ex property of a North London, UK, gallery. -
Greek Silver Ring with the Goddess Artemis Standing
4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
With ellipsoid bezel, intaglio standing female figure with distaff and bow or staff, possibly Artemis; repaired. 10.36 grams, 20.60 mm overall, 17.50 x 19.12 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)
Formerly in an old collection formed in the 1970s. Ex Dutch gentleman. Property of a London gentleman.
This is classical Greek type ring dating to 4th century B.C., and the bezel shows a goddess standing naked. The position of the goddess recalls that of Hera or Aphrodite, in the Salting Group (Boardman, 2001, no.733), but the simple dress of the figure with the chiton seems to refer to Diana holding a hunting spear. -
Archaic Greek Terracotta Figure of Mounted Warrior with Shield
7th-5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
The figure comprising a stylised horse with elongated neck, mounted by a bearded rider figure holding a shield, restored; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 323 grams total, 13 cm including stand
Acquired before 1990. From an old German collection.
