Greek Geometric Votive Gift in the Form of a Bird

Wire hoop with ends wound round the shank at each shoulder with one end detached, swivel-mounted amethyst scarab seal with flat underside, segmented border around a dolphin with putto mounted on its back. 5.44 grams, 30.77 mm overall, 25.27 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W, USA 11, Europe 25, Japan 24)



From the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Egyptian-style scarabs and scaraboids were characteristic of Etruscan art from the 8th century B.C. Originally made in Phoenicia, Cyprus or Rhodes, these objects were made of faience, blue paste, glass paste and bone, or semi-precious stones of varying hardness, from steatite to quartz, onyx and jasper. Mounted in settings on revolving pendants of precious metal, which were later imitated by Etruscan goldsmiths, these Egyptianising items performed prophylactic-religious functions, through the use of sacred or magical imagery taken from hieroglyphic language: royal names or titles, theonyms, sacred symbols, and auspicious formulas.

Flat bowl on a ring-base, convex rim decorated with a flat-profiled tongue-leaf frieze and fine groove beneath. 183 grams, 12.2 cm



with Galerie Gilgamesh, prior 2003. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00035402. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Each tongue-shaped in plan and hollow to the reverse, female bust in high-relief with palla head-covering. 154 grams total, 75-91 mm



with H.A.C., Basel, prior 1999. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.