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LOT 0106
Greek Silver-Gilt Phalerae Depicting a Fight Between Gryphons, an Eagle and a Deer
HELLENISTIC, 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
5 1/4 in. (62 grams total, 13.2 cm).
A pair of circular horse trappings hammered from sheet-silver, each with a decoration of two gryphons and an eagle slaughtering a deer, the gryphons attacking the deer from below, and the eagle attacking its muzzle, a tree in the background; accompanied by a custom-made display case. [2]
ProvenancePrivate German collection, 1980s.
Accompanied by an expertise from Striptwist Ltd, a London-based company run by historical precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden.
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.13038-248044.
Cf. Pfrommer, M., Metalwork from the Hellenized East, catalogue of the Collections in the Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 1993, figs.2-5, figs. p.155ff.; Nikonorov, V.P., The armies of Bactria 700BC-450 AD, Stockport, 1997; Симоненко А. В., 'Шлемы сарматского времени из Восточной Европы' (Sarmatian Age Helmets from Eastern Europe), in Stratum Plus, no.4, 2014, pp.249-284; D'Amato R. and Negin, A., Roman Heavy Cavalry (1), Cataphractarii and Clibanarii, 1st century BC-5th century AD, Oxford, 2018.
FootnotesThis phalera comes from the Hellenised East, and was likely used as decoration of the higher part of a horse harness, like the phalerae visible on the armoured and unarmoured horses of the famous graffiti of Dura Europos representing Parthian, Palmyrene or Roman clibanarii (D’Amato-Negin, 2018, pp.11,16-17,26).
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LOT 0106
Greek Silver-Gilt Phalerae Depicting a Fight Between Gryphons, an Eagle and a Deer
Sold for (Inc. bp): £31,200
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Greek Blackware Kylix
Circa 5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Broad and shallow with two strap handles, tondo displaying a wreath of ivy leaves with tendrils and volutes underneath; the underside of the bowl with acanthus motifs; restored. 215 grams, 21.5 cm wide
Acquired on the UK art market, early 2000s.
Drinking cups (kylikes and skyphoi), along with mixing bowls and wine coolers (kraters and psykters), wine jars (amphorae), water jars (hydrai), pitchers (oinochoai), and ladles (kyathoi), were essential equipment for drinking parties. The kylix appears to have been the most popular form of drinking cup, probably because it was especially well-suited to the Greek custom of eating and drinking while reclining on a couch. These Attic kylikes were usually presented with a stemmed base, a deep bowl and two upturned loop handles, on a concave base. -
Etruscan Bronze Ceres Statuette
3rd-2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Female with hair drawn up in a chignon, palla wrapped tightly around the upper body hiding the right arm bent with the hand at the shoulder, lower hem of robe flared; fixing lug to underside. 86 grams, 71 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.
This is a figurine of a deity of difficult interpretation representing an ex-voto. This typology is widespread in the votive offerings of Etrusco-Roman sanctuaries, and by analogy with various statuettes could represent Ceres. -
Greek Red-Figure Kylix with Dancing Nymphs and Satyrs
Attic, 5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
With short stem and broad bowl with carination at the shoulder; two strap handles with an ivy-leaf with tendrils and volutes underneath; the underside of the bowl with a frieze of four satyrs and four maenads performing a dance, the maenads dressed in fancy Ionian dress, long peplos and himation, and a kekrykephalos (hair net) on their heads, and holding a thyrsus in their right hands; the centre of the cup showing dancing Silenus and a nymph, dressed in a similar manner and holding a thyrsus, border of meanders and chequered squares surrounding; restored. 875 grams, 37 cm wide
Ex Dr Gonik and the late Mr Wirth, 1960-1970s. Private collection, Switzerland. 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.12573-232109.
Silenus, the only individualised satyr, was a companion and tutor to the wine god Dionysus, and he is represented here in the place of honour. He is typically older than the satyrs of the Dionysian retinue (thiasos) and his representation on the tondo symbolises respect towards his senior position.
