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LOT 0574
Greek Ladle with Bull’s Head and Sphinx
6TH-4TH CENTURY B.C.
8 5/8 in. (195 grams, 22 cm).
A bronze ladle with a deep hemispherical bowl and everted rim, long balustered handle with loop finial and bull’s head to the reverse of terminal, crowned female bust, crouching philosophers to the rim and winged sphinx between.
ProvenanceEx central London gallery.
London collection, 2000s.
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AUCTIONS:
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Boeotian Terracotta Idol
6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
A terracotta idol formed with pinched stub arms and a pinched head crowned with a headpiece; remains of geometric detailing in painted pigment; repaired. 122 grams, 16.5 cm
Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private Swiss collection since 1998. -
Large Greek Apulian Red-Figure Bell-Krater
4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £28,600
A red-figure terracotta bell-krater displaying polychrome figural panels between a laurel wreath and a band of Greek key motifs; side a) two robed male figures holding staffs, wearing a taenia or a band around the head, standing facing a central altar; side b) a woman wearing a chiton and holding a casket and olive sprig in her outstretched hands, advancing right towards a nude man standing right, his head turned towards her, holding a bucket and olive sprig, a cloak draped over his arm, elaborate volute palmettes beneath both handles; restored. 4 kg, 41 cm wide
Private collection, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Ex collection H.& P. Payot, Clarens, by descent. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.QED2237/SG-0201 from QED Laboratoire. 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.11580-199029.
Wide-mouthed bell kraters like this one were specifically designed for holding large quantities of liquid and to work as mixing bowls, as it was considered barbaric for wine to be drunk neat (a privilege only enjoyed by Dionysus and his entourage who could handle such a level of intoxication). Wine would be mixed with water, usually one part to three, or even more, as described by Homer regarding the wine offered to the giant Polyphemus (Odyssey, IX, 206-211). As such, kraters provided an ideal large surface area for decoration, and as wine was of utmost importance at the symposium, kraters would usually take centre place, and the decoration of such vessels were geared towards such gatherings attempting to provide subject matter for philosophical debate, like the ones described in Athenaeus’ Deipnosophistae. -
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.
