Greek High-Glazed Cup with Handles

Modelled in the round with soft youthful features, short beard, small mouth and large lentoid eyes, tousled hair with a diadem above the brow; socket to the top of the head and remains of a spur to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 3.86 kg total, 26.5 cm high including stand



Joseph Klein collection, formed in New York 1941-1980, thence by descent. Acquired from Bonhams, London, 24 October 2012, no.2. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. 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.12002-212101.

Votive sculptures were the commonest form of Cypriot sculptures of the period. They were erected within the precincts of temples or covered sanctuaries, around the altar at which the god was worshipped. Thus, on Cyprus, the statuary was conceived as an ex-voto, an image expressing the desire of the believer to enter into intimate communion with and reside under the eternal protection of the gods.

Broad squat body with painted bands to the shoulder and two vertical loop handles, broad conical mouth, two lateral tabs with bird-head detailing; repaired. 2.5 kg, 27.5 cm high



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

A silver and copper-alloy medical instrument, oval in shape, the handle formed as a snake with shallow hatched pattern on the body representing scales, stylised rendering of the snake's head. 68 grams, 25 cm long

Fair condition.

Acquired mid 1980s to early 1990s. Private family collection formed in London, UK. Accompanied by a metal test assessment number 182971/HM1456 from an Oxford specialist.

The use of this spatula (probe) for medical assessment can be confirmed by its snake-shaped handle, evidently a reference to the god Asklepios, whose symbol was a staff with a serpent wrapped around it. Such implements, called 'ἀπυρομήλη', were used in the Graeco-Persian world. The survival of the handle in this example makes it a rare find.