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LOT 0073
Greek Gold 'Golden Fleece' Ram-Horn Pair
5TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.
4 in. (60.61 grams total, 10.5 cm each).
A matched pair of sheet-gold model ram's horns, each curved with a narrow end flattened, ribbed body, flared rim to the mouth with applied granule detailing; probably from a representation of the χρυσόμαλλον δέρας or 'golden fleece' from the legend of Jason and his adventures with the crew of the ship Argo.
ProvenanceFrom a private collection of seals and amulets, the property of a Canadian gentleman living in London; from his father's collection formed in the late 1960s to 1980s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13105-249639.
The legend of the Golden Fleece is referenced by several ancient writers, including Pindar, whose reformulation forms the basis of most modern retellings, but an earlier version was evidently familiar to Homer in the 8th century B.C. It appears as a pictorial theme on early Greek vases. The story refers to a celestial winged ram with golden wool, which was believed to live and be worshipped by the inhabitants of lands north of the Black Sea; this ram, in some versions of the tale, is transformed into the constellation Aries.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0073
Greek Gold 'Golden Fleece' Ram-Horn Pair
Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,240
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Greek Bronze Kouros Patera Handle with Bowl
Archaic, circa 480 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
The handle formed as a nude youth supporting a panel of double volutes and half-palmettes, long braided hair falling at the back of the neck and on his forehead; the legs joined and ankles extended, the feet enclosed in pointed shoes, palmette below; accompanied by the bowl with inverted rim, a pair of parallel lines to the outer rim; the handle and part of the rim detached and mounted separately on the custom-made display stand. 1.35 kg total, 45.5 cm high including stand
with Herbert A. Cahn, Basel, 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00075168. 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 no.12462-228709.
Anthropomorphic handles with images of young naked boys connected with animals were widespread and used for mirrors. The object, in particular, is part of the group of mirrors and paterae with standing youths (male and female, probably symbolising athletes) and nude female mirror caryatids (Mitten-Doeringer, 1968, figs.87-88) serving as vertical handles. -
Large Greek Terracotta Figure of a Kore
6th century B.C.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,778
Hollow-formed with scaphoid headdress, long hair hanging behind the shoulders, heavy peplos dress extending to the floor with splayed hem and feet visible beneath; left hand held straight at the thigh, right hand in a fist between the breasts; mounted on a custom-made stand. 6.7 kg total, 57 cm including stand
Swiss private collection, assembled in the 1970s-1980s. with Galerie Serodine, Ascona, Switzerland, 1993. Collection of Dr E.N., Zug, acquired in 1995. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12858-241755. -
Greek Attic Red-Figure Kylix Fragment of a Hand
Early 5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Irregular fragment framed by a meander on one side and finely painted hand; reverse depicting foot and part of the chiton of a standing figure. 10.63 grams, 52 mm
Private collection, Europe.