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LOT 0584
Greek Bronze Spiral Fibula
GEOMETRIC, 8TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.
3 1/8 in. (25.8 grams, 80 mm).
Formed from a single filament rolled into two 'spectacle' discs; one of the spirals terminating in a long pin, the other in a hook serving as the catch; openwork figure-of-eight at the centre. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx collection Mr. K.H., Germany, Private collection, acquired in 2012.
LiteratureCf. Cassani, S., Art of the Italic People from 3000-300 B.C., Naples, 1993, p.295, no.188, for similar.
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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Greek Silver Earring Pair with Nike
3rd-2nd century B.C.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
Each with a hook and spherical beads, applied collars and a winged figure of Nike with arms extended. 9.66 grams total, 34-37 mm
Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. Private collection, London, UK. -
Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors
Attic, 500-480 B.C.Estimate: £30,000 - 40,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £15,000
Of ovoid shape, short neck and expanded flat rim; painted in horizontal bands with black vertical strokes the shoulder, ovules in the upper part, the central scene representing a Greek Ekdromos fighting a Scythian archer; the Greek warrior, wearing a light sleeveless chiton, and a crested Corinthian helmet, carrying a wide hoplon shield, and a long spear with which he is slashing his opponent; the Scythian archer is wearing a typical tall cap flowing backwards and his long coat-suit, carrying a gorytos, (quiver) and composite bow with arrow; horizontal black stripes below; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 262 grams total, 16 cm high including stand
Louis-Gabriel Bellon (1819-1899) collection, France. European private collection, 2009. 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.13019-246753.
The importance of this alabastron is linked to its iconography, which represents episodes of the Persian Wars, fought 490-480 B.C. Such alabastra are part of a series realised during the period of the conflict and after, and they are an important source of information on the Persian and Greek armies. Here, the two opponents evoke the Greek victories, with a light-armed Greek ekdromos (hoplite fighting in light equipment) killing a Scythian archer, who formed part of the Persian army. The representation of Scythian costume in vase-painting reached its height of popularity between c. 530 and 490 B.C., and went out of fashion after the Graeco-Persian wars, when these clothes began to be associated with the Persian ethnic identity rather than the original Scythian. -
Greek Bronze Bird
Geometric, 8th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Modelled in the round with triangular fantail, lateral bulb eyes, pierced transversely at the chest for attachment. 19.8 grams, 45 mm
Acquired by a Swiss family in the mid-1980s to late 1990s, thence by descent. Private collection, Switzerland, since the late 1990s.
