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
-
Greek Bronze Ring with Satyr
4th-2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
With ellipsoid bezel, incuse profile image of a satyr before a pillar (possibly a herm). 7.41 grams, 22.72 mm overall, 18.55 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Greek Terracotta Figure
4th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Tanagra type, hollow-formed with a void to the reverse, standing female in tiered robe wearing a diadem and with her hair drawn back, applied torch in her right hand. 18 grams, 12 cm
European art market. Acquired in Münich in 2012. European private collection. -
Greek Black-Glazed Ribbed Lekythos
Apulian, 4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £351
With squat segmented body and gusseted basal ring, trumpet-shaped spout with loop handle to the rear. 248 grams, 12 cm
Believed to be acquired in the 1970s-1980s, thence by descent. English private collection.
