Greek Silver Alexander the Great Drachm Pendant

With circular body and raised rim, round central filling-hole flanked by cornucopiae; long broad nozzle with rounded spout-like termination; handle with three ribs. 62 grams, 10.5 cm



Collected from 1970-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

The principal parts of a Graeco-Roman lamp were: a) the body or reservoir which contained the oil (infundibulum); the flat circular top (discus) on which the design was placed, sometimes with an ornamental rim; the edge (margo); the nozzle (rostrum, nasus, myxus) with a hole for the insertion of the wick (ellychnium); and the handle (ansa, manubrium,).

Comprising a broad hoop of gold filigree ropework with wire borders, applied filigree rosette to underside; rectangular plaque with band of filigree loops to both long edges, applied filigree meander to centre; two hollow-formed model stags' heads each with applied filigree meander to both sides of the neck and to the spine, filigree and granule facial and other features, filigree antlers; disc dangle and filigree shank and hoop attaching to right stag's head. 7.59 grams, 38.13 mm overall, 18.63 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. 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.12355-225025.

The presence of stags on the ring is a clear reference to the cult of Artemis, the hunting goddess, whose favourite animal was the deer. A particular cult of Artemis was celebrated at Brauron, in Attica. According to some stories, this was the place where Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, was sacrificed to the goddess after Agamemnon offended the goddess by killing one of her sacred stags.

Including fragments of ewer and jar, some with painted decoration, partly re-assembled, and other items. 7.9 kg total, 1.5-21.5 cm



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.