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LOT 0547
Greek Megarian Terracotta Bowl
CIRCA 2ND-1ST CENTURY B.C.
4 1/2 in. (143 grams, 11.5 cm wide).
Roughly hemispherical in form with in-turned rim and a matt glaze, raised architectural motifs to the shoulder, dense stylised ferns below; shallow foot.
ProvenanceAcquired in before 1994.
LiteratureCf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 98.8.23, for similar.
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
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Greek Tarentine Terracotta Head of a Youth
Mid 4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,720
Possibly depicting Ganymede or Paris, wearing a soft Phrygian cap with everted brim, the hair swept back from the face; almond-shaped eyes with pronounced eyelids, straight nose and fleshy lips; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.2 kg total, 25.3 cm high including stand
Acquired early 20th century. From the collection of Count Henri d'Epinay (1940-2017), Longuenesse, France. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.196149. 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 no.11824-207736.
The terracotta sculpture appears to have similarities with other Tarentine heads from the early Hellenistic Period. A marble head from Taranto, datable to the end of the 4th century B.C., presents similar elements. The visible character is clearly attributable to Graeco-Roman mythology. The only clue regarding the identity of the head is provided by the Phrygian cap, which narrows down the identification to few characters from Greek mythology: the Trojan prince Ganymede, abducted by Zeus for his beauty and named by him the cupbearer of the gods, or the Trojan prince Paris. There are many representations of Ganymede in a Phrygian cap (Hakanen, 2022, plates 6,12a). However, the third possibility is that the sculpture represents Attis, lover of the goddess Cybele. -
Greek Terracotta Protome Mask Collection
Circa 4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Three ceramic masks each moulded with a female face, pierced at the brow. 290 grams total, 10.3-11.9 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. -
Greek Geometric Period Bow Fibula
8th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Central bulb to the keeled bow, integral pin and large catch-plate. 42 grams, 95 mm
From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.
The function of the catch-plate fibulae was utilitarian and decorative, they were used for woollen clothing (Herodotus V, 87) and they have been found in houses, tombs and as votive offerings in sanctuaries. This typology was introduced in South Italy by the Greeks, and was widespread in the Magna Graecia. Like all female fibulae, it functioned as a clothing fastener, usually worn as a pair on each shoulder.
