Greek Chalcedony Dolphin Pendant

Modelled with semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing, the base displaying a battle showing a mature and muscular naked man grappling with a winged gryphon; drilled for suspension. 2.29 grams, 16 mm



Ex F.A., Brussels, 1980. Private collection of a London antiquarian.

Combat between a man and gryphon is a well-attested subject matter on Greek scarabs. A faience factory was found in Naukratis by Flinders-Petrie, with innumerable faience and discarded moulds. The motifs on the bottom surface are repetitive and hurriedly worked. They depict lucky symbols or representative subjects (lions with sun disc, ibex, Horus falcons, lotus flowers); such motifs had already been adopted into Greek art but are generally considered typically Egyptian. Here the subject of a fight against a gryphon is Greek, although the style of the fighting character seems Phoenician, which points to Eastern Mediterranean workmanship, possibly on the Island of Rhodes.

Or an attachment, comprising two conjoined conical bosses, each with a central knop and rim with two narrow bands of granulation; to the centre, a delicate granulated lozenge with scrolling details to the upper and lower points; to the reverse, an applied double hook for attachment; Alexandrian. 4.42 grams, 36 mm



UK art market, acquired prior to 1985.

Retaining the pin lug and catchplate to reverse, filigree borders and scrolls to the perimeter, central cell adorned with filigree ropework and petals; stone replaced. 3.88 grams, 33 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.