Greek Gold Ring with Artemis Gemstone

Broad and squat with thickened rim, central boss to the base. 536 grams, 24 cm wide



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

Broad face with incised rings outlining the painted border of running vinescroll in red and white; with a shallow central socket outlined in red, broad carinated rim and low foot. 834 grams, 26.5 cm



Acquired at auction, London, UK, 1990s, no.233. Private collection, Suffolk, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant catalogue page.

'Teano ware' is a type of ceramic produced from the late 4th century to the early 3rd century BC. Its modern name derives from Teanum Sidicinum, in northern Campania, the main centre of production. White and red pigment was used for the painted decoration on the black surface. It was probably used for votive or funerary purposes.⁣

Comprising a shallow bowl and broad flange rim, two integral scalloped handles with lateral scrolled flourishes, each tapering to a S-curved handle with swan-head terminals with incised eye and beak detailing; perforated whirl within roundel to interior base; accompanied by a custom-made display stand with mirror. 402 grams total, 19.7 cm including stand



with Hôtel des ventes de Belfort Sarl, October 2011, no.16. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. 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.12209-222140.

Elaborate gilded strainers, such as this present example, were used at symposia and festive occasions for the purpose of preventing the dregs of wine from entering the wine cup. This and other related silver utensils became popular in the late 4th and 3rd century B.C. These highly decorated wine strainers were fitted with dual handles forming loops in the shape of twisting animals, here a swan. Usually, they took the form of a shallow dish complete with four rings of perforations in the centre in order to drain the wine. Strainers of this type were used to separate out sediments found in the thick Greek wine. Examples similar to this one have been found in royal tombs in northern Greece, as well as the tomb of a monarch in Sudan.