Greek Gold Earring

Leaf-shaped with repoussé frieze of an advancing horseman and kneeling figure; pellets to the border and other ornament. 1.96 grams, 68 mm



From a Northamptonshire collection in early 1990s. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Carved in the round with thick wreath of laurel leaves to the brow, short tousled hair, stern face with thick jaw; mounted on a custom-made stand. 23.7 kg total, 42.5 cm including stand



with Artemis Gallery, Munich, Germany, before 1998. with Oliver Forge, London, UK. Private collection, acquired from the above. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate. Accompanied by an academic report by Prof. Neritan Ceka. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12092-218139.

The life-size head represents an adult male, probably still in his youth. The man is depicted with a short hair, and probably wearing a diadem of which the lower edge is partially visible. The size, the use of marble, and the quality of this work suggest that it was a portrait of a nobleman or possibly a prince of the Hellenistic period.

With two figural scenes: Side A: the first of the canonical labours of Heracles, the fight against the Nemean lion - in the centre the hero standing over the lion, strangling it with his left arm while thrusting his sword into its neck; two other standing figures witness the fight - on the right Athena, fully armed and ready to defend Heracles with her lance, and to the left Hermes, recognisable by his hat (petasos), winged boots and the caduceus; Side B: a nude horseman, holding his lance and accompanied by his dog, walking towards a king seated on his throne, holding a sceptre in his left hand; on the far right, a standing woman, probably the king's wife; a sphinx under the throne and two flying birds; some restoration. 3.1 kg, 43.5 cm

Some restoration, in general in good condition.

Ex German private collection. with Hampel Kunst Auction, Munich, 2012, no.867. Private European collection, thence by family descent. 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 a search certificate number no.12069-218134.

The shape is typical of the period, and is decorated with black-figured technique, in which the figures were silhouetted in black slip on a reddish clay ground, and linear elements were incised with a needle, with additional details painted with white and cherry red-slip. The amphora seems to belong to one of the sub-types of the ‘Pseudo-Chalcidian’ group (the Poliphemus group), derived from the main Chalcidian series