Greek Style Gold Pendant with Male Bust

Depicting Cupid tenderly holding Psyche in his arms after a kiss, Psyche's arms reaching towards his head; Cupid in a dynamic pose with separately made wings, depicted nude except for a vine-leaf; Psyche resting on a rock with her lower body loosely wrapped in a folded garment; inscription on the lower edge 'P. Bazzanti Florence'; mounted on a marble pedestal. It is regarded as a masterpiece of Neoclassical sculpture, but shows the mythological lovers at a moment of great emotion, characteristic of the emerging movement of Romanticism. Or alabaster 122 kg total, 166 cm



Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13005-246436.

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss is a sculpture by Italian artist Antonio Canova first commissioned in 1787 by Colonel John Campbell (later Lord Cawdor). It is one of Canova's most popular marbles which represents a well known passage from Apuleius' The Golden Ass, in which Psyche faints after having opened Proserpine's vase and is revived by Cupid's kiss. The original sculpture is today in the Musée du Louvre (M.R. 1777). In 1796 the Russian nobleman Prince Yusupov acquired a second version from Canova in Rome, and that example is today preserved in the Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg.

Depicting a Deesis with Jesus at the centre, Saint Mary on the left and Saint John the Baptist on the right; Jesus seated upon a throne, depicted with the open Gospel in his left hand and raising his right hand in blessing; Mary, with veiled head and mantle, wearing a maphorion mantle over an embroidered robe and holding a scroll; the Deesis surrounded by a theory of saints, with Saint Zosima and Saint Sabbas making the Proskynesis in front of the Christ; Old Slavic inscription above the figures: 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ). 67 grams, 64 mm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The Deisis or Deesis (Деисус, Gk. for “supplication”) was the depiction of the Virgin, John the Baptist and possibly other saints interceding with Christ on behalf of mankind.

Including a rock crystal lion-head, carnelian winged putto and other items. 73 grams total, 24-42 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK.