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LOT 0578
Greek Gold Sphinx Earring
3RD-2ND CENTURY B.C.
1 in. (2.55 grams, 26 mm).
A single gold earring composed of a twisted wire hoop, stylised bust of a sphinx with detailed breast and lion paws.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Cf. Dimitrova Tonkova, 'Hellenistic Jewellery from the Colonies on the West Black Sea Coast,' in Archaeology in Bulgaria, Vol.1, no.1, 1997, pp.83-102, figs.5, 7, pl.IV, no.4, pl.V, nos.1,2, pl.VI,3 for the type.
FootnotesEarrings with a sphinx represent a variety of the earrings created by the Hellenised goldsmiths of the Black Sea area. These figures usually had an inlaid garnet and are dated between late 3rd and 2nd century B.C. They belong to the category of earrings with a female head, often visible in graves of the Black Sea area and not always of good quality.
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AUCTIONS:
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Graeco-Parthian Marble Head of a Divinity
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Opening Bid: £1,000
An alabaster bust of a goddess with elongated face and large almond-shaped eyes; braided hair with openwork topknot and socket to accept an inset stud, gathered at the rear in a chignon. 639 grams, 11.6 cm
Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private Swiss collection since 1998. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11611-199026.
Several female figures, found in the Parthian graves of Babylonia, are represented in loose attire exhibiting strange headdresses, which give us some notion of the costume of the period. Some of them show a headgear rising into two tall conical peaks, from which a veil is suspended. Nude female figures, probably representing Assyrian Mylitta or Venus, were extremely common during the Parthian period, having been handed down from antiquity. Similar figures are universal throughout the east before the Christian era. -
Greek Gold Bird Pendant with Garnet and Pearl Drop
5th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £450 - 650 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
A gold pendant composed of a bifacial zoomorphic body in the form of a bird, with detailing to the head and feathers; circular cell to one face containing possible remains of black glass; two dangles below, one featuring a granulated gold bead above a pearl bead, the other a granulated gold bead and a polished garnet stone; ribbed suspension loop above; a marriage. 2.29 grams, 26 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman. -
Greek Gold Dolphin Amphora Pendant
5th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £450 - 650 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
An amphora-shaped pendant composed of a jasper body, sheet-gold neck, two handles formed as leaping dolphins, ribbed loop between and free-running coiled loop above, pearl bead and foot to base. 1.85 grams, 23 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.
