Greek Gold Earring Pair with Rosettes

Discoid in plan with returned rim, guilloche to the outer field and egg-and-dart to the dome; central bust of Dionysus modelled in high-relief with garland in his hair. 5.28 grams, 41 mm



Private collection, assembled in the 1950s-1970s, thence by descent.

Comprising a pedestal base, mastoid body, lateral strap handles and funicular neck, broad mouth with stepped rim; the neck decorated with a band of egg-and-dart; palmette below each handle, flanked by tendrils and flowers; Side A: naked Eros (Cupid), hair in a bun and tied with a cloth, right arm outstretched and holding a flower by the stem, left hand holding leaves and tendrils; Side B: Nike standing in himation and stephane, holding up a drum-shaped object and supporting leaves and tendril, flower patterns to the background. 1.19 kg, 26 cm high



Acquired on the art market between the late 1990s and mid-2000s. Estate of the late Barry Paul Buxton (1944–2024), Oakham, Rutland. Acquired on the UK art market, 2025. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence analysis report no.N126a15 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 number no.13089-248952.

The Greek term pelike (pl. pelikai) was used for a number of shapes, and it is not certain what this one-piece vessel with a distinctive sagging belly was called in antiquity. It seems to have been invented after the introduction of the red-figure technique, although there are examples in black-figure. It continued to be produced into the 4th century and in the Roman period. It is shown in use as a container for liquids, especially wine, and in this context was linked with Bacchus, Pan, and Silenus.

Comprising the upper two thirds of the vessel; on the shoulder a facing woman's head with diadem and half-veiled face; rosettes to left and right, with suspended ribbons and dots; vine motif around the body with floral ornaments; to the reverse, palmettes and vines; band of laurel with rosettes around the neck and wavy band at the mouth; reassembled from various fragments with three large areas of restoration, only the beginnings of the handles preserved; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.95 kg, 31 cm (2.6 kg total, 47.5 cm high including stand)



Ex Herbert A. Cahn, Basel, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12475-228738.

The face-veiling gesture is a known marriage rite; the diadem may suggest that she is intended to represent Persephone. Alternatively, the veiled woman might be a dancer as many terracotta figurines of dancing women are shown with face-coverings. However, the floral ornaments could indicate a funeral or sepulchral context.