Greek Bronze Ring Bezel with Swastika

With an arching strap handle and a wide spout; either side of the body painted with a crouching panther, one playing with a ball and the other depicted facing; repaired. 149 grams, 12 cm

Fine condition, some surface rubbing on the black glaze, with metallic gloss, some calcareous deposits on underside of lip and vase, glaze slightly chipped in a few places, repaired.

Acquired from Gallery Gryphos, Munich, 1992. European private collection. 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 a search certificate number no.12001-211879.

Painted askoi in different forms have been produced and been in use in Athens since the middle and second quarter of the 5th century B.C., but they were also made in southern Italy. The askoi painted with a pair of animal figures were realised in Magna Graecia after the Attic continental production of similar models, with the representation of griffins, sphinxes and laconic hounds. The function of the askos as a vessel was clearly linked to wine, and therefore it is not anomalous to see it decorated with panther motifs, an animal connected with Dionysus, the god of wine and drinking.

Stirrup jar with basal ring, globular body, remains of handle and neck; painted figure of an ibex with cross-and-dots motifs. 370 grams, 16.1 cm



Peter Cran collection, Scotland, who worked as an engineer for the Cypriot public works department 1931-1946; thence by descent. Acquired from Bonhams, London, 23 May 2012, no.6 (part). From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages and original lot tag.

Globular in form with trumpet-shaped mouth, painted band to neck. 490 grams, 14 cm high



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.