Greek Bronze Ring with Standing Goddess

Squat vessel with rounded foot and carination with band of tendrils, flared sidewall with carination and rim, broad watchglass lid with central knop handle; blackware frieze to the sidewall, chariot with four horses and attendants carrying spears and dressed in chitons and himatia, among them a noblewoman dressed in a long chiton and chlamys; lid with frieze of profile figures seated on folding chairs with attendants and petitioners, and two women in long robes within a band of coiled tendrils; repaired and restored. 1.05 kg, 22.5 cm wide



Private collection, Mrs Lambelet, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, acquired before 1972; thence by descent. Private collection N.S., acquired in 2012. 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 search certificate number no.13223-249242.

Many Athenian vases depict a quadriga, often in racing or military scenes, but in this case, the depicted scene is peaceful and could be linked to a wedding. The painting can be divided into two scenes: the first, on the sides, is the bridal procession, where the bride is conducted on the chariot which will bring her to the groom, accompanied by her father and relatives; the second, the lid painting, where the nuptial feast is prepared, and the conversing guests are waiting for the bride.

Annular in form with pierced tab. 0.66 grams, 18 mm



Private collection, acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s; thence by descent.

During the Greek Neolithic, certain types of ornaments share common morphological characteristics; one such example is the so-called ‘ring-idols’. The prototype of these ring-shaped pendants seems to have been made out of gold, which began to be used during these late phases of the Neolithic in Greece and the Balkans, in general.

Comprising a slender round-section hoop and an oval bezel. 2.53 grams, 25.76 mm overall, 19.02x21.72 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.