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LOT 0530
Greek Pyramid Seal with Inscription
CIRCA 5TH CENTURY B.C.
3/4 in. (5.02 grams, 20 mm).
With incuse Zeus seated on a stool, holding the shaft of a sceptre topped by an eagle, legend to the side 'XAΡOΝ'; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
ProvenanceFrom the property of late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999.
LiteratureCf. Boardman, J., Greek Gems and finger rings, Early Bronze Age to Late Classical, London, 2001, no.1037, p.392, for similar.
FootnotesThe seal bears a classical representation of seated Zeus with his eagle-headed sceptre. The inscribed name (Charon) is probably the one of the owner, according to the interpretation of Boardman. The parallel of the image on this seal can be seen on a blue chalcedony scaraboid, type A.L.17 preserved in the Getty Museum (inventory 84.AN.I.12).
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Cypriot Geometric Terracotta Jar
9th-8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Globular in form with trumpet-shaped mouth, painted band to neck. 490 grams, 14 cm high
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Greek Chalcidian Black-Figure Amphora with Heracles and Nemean Lion
Circa 650-575 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £45,500
With two figural scenes: Side A: the first of the canonical labours of Heracles, the fight against the Nemean lion - in the centre the hero standing over the lion, strangling it with his left arm while thrusting his sword into its neck; two other standing figures witness the fight - on the right Athena, fully armed and ready to defend Heracles with her lance, and to the left Hermes, recognisable by his hat (petasos), winged boots and the caduceus; Side B: a nude horseman, holding his lance and accompanied by his dog, walking towards a king seated on his throne, holding a sceptre in his left hand; on the far right, a standing woman, probably the king's wife; a sphinx under the throne and two flying birds; some restoration. 3.1 kg, 43.5 cm
Some restoration, in general in good condition.
Ex German private collection. with Hampel Kunst Auction, Munich, 2012, no.867. Private European collection, thence by family descent. 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 a search certificate number no.12069-218134.
The shape is typical of the period, and is decorated with black-figured technique, in which the figures were silhouetted in black slip on a reddish clay ground, and linear elements were incised with a needle, with additional details painted with white and cherry red-slip. The amphora seems to belong to one of the sub-types of the ‘Pseudo-Chalcidian’ group (the Poliphemus group), derived from the main Chalcidian series -
Greek Bronze Signet Ring with Pan
4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With scaphoid bezel, intaglio seated faun with syrinx. 3.55 grams, 20.92 mm overall, 17.06 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
