Greek Solid Gold Earring Pair

Featuring a monumental shallow bowl with two strap handles on the rim and a low foot; the inside of the bowl with a central scene featuring a nude winged male figure offering a lekythos to the woman (Psyche?) seated before him; the woman dressed in a chiton and wearing a double-row necklace, large earrings and a diadem indicated by pellets, holding a double branch with leaves in her left hand; a low altar on the foreground and foliate and floral decoration beneath the scene; the scene enclosed within a painted grapevine border; four raised conical bosses on the rim and one on top of each handle; the lower part of the rim decorated with ovules; underside with a band of Greek key motifs and large palmettes on the sides, Side A: mythological scene with a satyr standing on the left, a seated woman at the centre holding a wreath and an open cista, her head turned towards another woman behind her, holding a fan and a ritual object in her hands; Side B: a draped female on the left, holding a stalk and a cista, advancing to the left while gazing back towards an advancing nude winged figure of Eros; restored. 3.1 kg, 49.5 cm wide



Private collection, South of France, acquired in 1999. Accompanied by a printed copy of the Spanish cultural export licence no.1775-3178156. Accompanied by a copy of a thermoluminescence report issued by Alliance Science Art, no.612151. 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.13460-261208.

The intricate designs and stylistic features of this kylix suggest it may belong to the followers of the renowned Darius Painter. The Darius Painter, active in Apulia (modern-day Southern Italy) during the late 4th century B.C., is known for his elaborate and finely detailed red-figure pottery. His works often depict complex mythological scenes and demonstrate a high level of artistic sophistication and technical skill. Key features that align this vessel with the Darius Painter and his workshop include the detailed mythological scene in the central medallion, the refined use of additional white and yellow pigments to highlight key elements, and the balanced composition of figures and decorative motifs. The presence of Eros and other mythological elements is also characteristic of the themes favoured by the Darius Painter.

Restrung group of fluted melon and other beads with three later hollow-formed gold drum-shaped panels, each with an inset cabochon garnet to the upper face, and granule clusters. 46.45 grams, 34 cm



Private collection, Jerusalem, assembled in the 1960s. with Holy Land Antiquities, Jerusalem. European private collection, acquired 2001. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13141-246774.

In the Hellenistic and Roman periods there was a strong formal and chromatic diversity of glass beads used for necklaces and bracelets. The most common beads in forms were small biconical (lenticular), barrel-shaped, spherical and annular; the most common colours were dark blue, followed by green and yellow, and red. The succession of glass beads often imitates jewellery made of costly materials (gold, silver, semi-precious and precious stones).

With incised anatomical detailing, underside with a standing figure of Hercules, resting his hand on his club; with a later gold bar and suspension loop. 4.08 grams, 25 mm



Private collection, London.