Greek Corinthian Hedgehog Aryballos

Single-piece fibula comprising a thick bow with integral coiled spring to one end developing to a sturdy pin; to the other end, a U-section lobed catchplate on a single-coil spring; with detailing to the outer face of the catch. 25.5 grams, 87 mm



Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Engraved to the underside with a reclining zebu facing right with short protruding horns and a pointed ear; smooth, curved top and a narrow longitudinal perforation. 1.83 grams, 15 mm



with Herbert A. Cahn, Basel, 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00075367. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The body, head and joints are rendered in the “globolo” drilling technique, in which circular recesses of different sizes are carved into the stone, whilst fine cuts are used to depict the horns, ear and tail. In the Achaemenid period, ‘globolo’ style visible on some gemstones, mainly with animal motifs, developed in Syria-Phoenicia, but the gems did not carry specific Persian motifs, except perhaps this series with a zebu bull.

Seated on a high-backed throne, wearing a polos headdress with two long braids falling from underneath the headdress, wearing a long chiton fastened by a belt, the left arm raised, possibly once holding a dove; well marked facial features, slightly almond-shaped large symmetrical eyes with slightly raised eyelids, straight nose, strongly pronounced mouth with fleshy lips and shallow ears; traces of brown slip, repaired. 2.02 kg, 57.7 cm



with H.A.C., Basel, prior 1999. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence analysis report no.N125a51 from Oxford Authentication. 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 no.12461-228712. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

One of the most typical 6th century B.C. terracotta female figurines was that of a standing or seated woman wearing a chiton and a himation over it. It was a votive figure offered at the shrines or temples, usually representing the goddess Demeter. Attica was one of the principal centres of figurine production, but Corinth continued to produce solid standing or seated females with moulded fronts and flat backs. The mass production of such terracotta was also typical of Magna Graecia.