Greek Gold Earring Pair with Lion Heads

Black burnished ceramic urn with conical lower body, two flared loop handles, bell-shaped upper body and flat everted rim; band of incised chevrons to the equator, horizontal linear bands and ropework key patterns; one handle restored. 2 kg, 25 cm high



Ex private Orange Country collection. with Ancient Resources Auctions, Auction 34, 14 September 2014, lot 246. Accompanied by a detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photograph.

Such urns were often deposited with the cremated remains inside, one handle broken off (perhaps part of the funerary rites) and in some case a bronze crested helmet placed over the top of the urn.

The keeled bow with a large central boss, integral pin and rectangular footplate. 55.9 grams, 72 mm



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

The distinctive form of this fibula seems to be an Italic variant of characteristic Geometric period examples from Thessaly that have been discovered in large numbers, for example in the sanctuary of Zeus Thaulios near Pharos. It belongs to the category of Greek catch plate brooches, although the rectangular footplate is substantially reduced compared to the Greek prototypes.

Formed as a standing male figure with swept back, shoulder-length hair, hands held at the waist; mounting lug below. 66 grams, 86 mm



with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s.

This hilt was probably for an acinaces blade, usually 14-18 inches long and used throughout a vast swath of territory encompassing the eastern Mediterranean, the Near East and central Asia, by such diverse cultures as the Parthians, the Medes, the Greeks, and the Scythians.