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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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Opening Bid: £1,000
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Early Cypriot Red Burnished Ware Jug
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A ceramic burnished ware zoomorphic jug with a piriform body, slender cylindrical neck with tapering U-section spout with integral handle to rear and perforated lug to the base of the neck at the front; decorated with a shallow incised geometric motifs composed of clusters of horizontal lines and bands of lozenges with hatched fill, chevrons along the spine of the handle; accompanied by a display stand; some restoration. 667 grams total, 33 cm high including stand
Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
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Greek Gold Sphinx Earring
3rd-2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
A single gold earring composed of a twisted wire hoop, stylised bust of a sphinx with detailed breast and lion paws. 2.55 grams, 26 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Earrings 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.
