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LOT 0112
Greek Head of Alexander The Great
3RD-2ND CENTURY B.C.
4 in. (142 grams total, 10.2 cm including stand).
Modelled in the round with wavy hair brushed forward, large lentoid eyes in low-relief, angular nose and small mouth; attachment lug to underside, rich lead/copper alloy; mounted on a custom-made stand.
ProvenanceCollection of Mr C., Geneva, Switzerland (1936-2016), assembled between 1985 and 2010.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12857-241703.
Cf. Moreno, P., ‘L’immagine di Alessandro Magno nell’opera di Lisippo e di altri artisti’ in Alexander the Great, 1993, pp.101-136; Moreno, P. (ed.), Lisippo, l’arte e la fortuna, catalogo della mostra, Roma-Milano, 1995; Alfano, C. (ed.), Martellago, 1995; L Frumusa, G., ‘Alessandro Magno, Eracle e la Leonté nella Glittica Ellenistica e Romana’ in LANX, 3, December 2009, pp.13-35; cf. also portrait of Alexander the Great in the Athens Archaeological Museum in Bieber, M., Alexander the Great in Greek and Roman Art, 1964, p.52, fig.37, pl.XX.
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:
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Greek Bowl with Crimson and Black Decorations
4th century B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
With a narrow basal ring, a flared rim, and painted circumferential bands. 49.2 grams, 63 mm
Private collection, Los Angeles, USA. Acquired on the American art market. European private collection. -
Greek Attic Red-Figure Fragments
Circa 490-470 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Comprising irregular, finely painted fragments, one with letters and one with prominent dotted hand; possibly attributable to the Brygos Painter. 20 grams total, 20-41 mm
From the stock of a former UK antiquarian, acquired at trade fairs and from private collection formed in the 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Europe. -
Greek Bronze Wine Strainer with Swan-Head Handles
4th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £10,000 - 14,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5,000
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.