Loading, please wait...
LOT 0083
Greek Gold Figure of Nike from a Monumental Funerary Wreath
SOUTH ITALIAN, 4TH CENTURY B.C.
3 5/8 in. (56 grams total, 92 mm including stand).
Formed as a composite figurine comprising: hollow-formed nude female figure with left arm extended to her side and fingers curled inwards, right hand at her side, hair drawn up in a chignon surmounted by an applied beaded-wire diadem; two sub-triangular wings each attached to the shoulder blades, with repoussé feather detailing to the obverse; broad D-shaped panel attached to the waist and rear of the legs, with radiating arch detailing; supplied with a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceFocquaert collection, Belgium, 1970s.
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.12220-222337.
See a similar gold wreath from Armento (South Italy) surmounted by a similar winged Nike, today at the Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek, München, NI 2335 WAF, in Knauß, F.S., ‘Anton Prokesh von Osten und Ludwig I. von Bayern,’ in Knauss, F. (ed.), Anton Prokesch von Osten. Sammler, Gelehrter und Vermittler zwischen den Kulturen, Graz, 2019, pp.26-38, fig.6.
FootnotesSimilar statuettes were surmounting huge funerary wreaths, like the one from Armento (325-300 B.C. made in Southern Italy). The wreaths, composed of golden flowers, leaves, fruits, bees and Erotes, have a winged goddess, with all probability Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, as the central motif. It is possible that the wreath was given to the deceased as a prize after a successful competition, but the dimensions of the Nike show that it was an extremely rare artefact. These costly objects were financed by rich and powerful Mecenates, like Kreithonios, named in the inscription on the base of Nike from Armento.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0083
Greek Gold Figure of Nike from a Monumental Funerary Wreath
Sold for (Inc. bp): £14,040
-
.jpg)
Mycenaean Terracotta Goddess Figure
Circa 13th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Standing on a conical foot with rounded upper body, applied disc breasts, impressed necklace, pinched facial features, old label '24' to reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand. 69 grams total, 92 mm including stand
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
Large Etruscan Architectural Plaque with Bulls
6th century B.C.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,500
For a temple pediment (sima), comprising a curved upper band with polychrome tongue-shaped grooves, a relief depicting a procession of bulls below, the bulls depicted in a dynamic pose with curving necks and raised tails, the horns painted in black; two attachment holes. 4.66 kg, 50 cm
Acquired on the European art market between 1960s-1980s. Property of a gentleman. with Bertolami Fine Arts Ltd, Auction 66, no.1. 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.12162-218594.
Terracotta plaques like this sima were used in the pediments of temples (Minerva at Veii, Portonaccio Sanctuary, 540-530 BC), or decorated the architecture of tombs. The procession of the bulls recalls the style of painting on a similar slab with a procession of hunting dogs, probably from Caere. -
South Italian Gnathian Ware Pottery Oinochoe
Circa 4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Piriform bodied with U-shaped spout and high handle, polychrome painted egg, zigzag, bar, dot and laurel pattern with a flower arranged in rows to the front face. 193 grams, 20.2 cm high
Acquired in Europe before 2001. European collection.
