Greek Geometric Bronze Bird

Comprising a pedestal base, mastoid body, lateral strap handles and funicular neck, broad mouth with stepped rim; the neck and rim decorated with a band of egg-and-dart; both faces of the body decorated with a figural scene with a standing male on the left with close-fitting cap, long cloak or mantle reaching from shoulder to knee and clasped at his right shoulder with a disc brooch, holding in his left hand a key-shaped object; to his right, a chest-high structure with palmette at the top, waisted shaft and arcaded base; to the right, a female standing facing the male, wearing a crested helmet or headdress, peplos dress gathered at her waist and extending to the floor, holding in her right hand a diadem or wreath towards the male; palmettes below the handles, the base with red and black banding; the strap handles undecorated; likely Campanian workmanship. 969 grams, 25.2 cm



Acquired in Münich in 2012. 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 search certificate number no.12190-222344.

During the late 5th century B.C., Attic imports ceased as the Spartans blockaded trade routes during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.). In response, five areas in southern Italy, Campania, Paestum, Apulia, Lucania, and Sicily began to produce red-figure vases. The decoration offered a remarkable range of subjects associated not only with mythological images, but with representations the local life, costumes and customs. The simple, single figure compositions decorating each side of this vase were also characteristic of the style, which tended to avoid complex mythological scenes often found on much larger vessels like volute craters, favouring representation of the daily life of south Italic Hellenised peoples.

With squat bdy on a small disc foot, broad filler hole with flange rim and small stub spout, flat-section loop above; painted with bands of radiating hatching, segments and other designs. 193 grams, 11 cm



From an old German collection. Acquired in Brussels from Alara Gallery, 1994. Private collection, London, UK.

Fragment of a hollow-formed statue of a warrior, the thigh and hip area with painted armour detailing; mounted on a custom-made stand. 535 grams total, 16 cm high (20.5 cm high including stand)



Ex private collection L.G., The Netherlands. Acquired from Treasuregate Art of the Ancients, Brussels, Belgium, in 2015. Property of a South Australian private collector, with collection reference 15.10. Accompanied by a copy of a Treasuregate Art of the Ancients certificate of authenticity with ref no.2015-11-22-03. Accompanied by detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photographs.

The armour on the figure is the short-sleeved chitoniskos which was worn under the cuirass and protected the flexing areas around the groin and buttocks. The figure probably formed part of a frieze on a temple.