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LOT 0510
Greek Tanagra Terracotta Head of Aphrodite
CIRCA 4TH-2ND CENTURY B.C.
2 1/2 in. (38 grams total, 64 mm including stand).
With hair divided in vertical arrangements, bound on the back by a fillet, delicate rendering of mouth, nose and eyes; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceEx P. A., Hertfordshire, UK, specialist collection of Greek art, 1980-1990s.
LiteratureCf. Mavrogonatou, A., Terracotta figurines as grave offerings in Veoria: the funerary dimension of Aphrodite and Eros in female and child burials of the Hellenic rock-cut chamber tombs, Thessaloniki, 2018, fig.47, for a similar head on a statuette in terracotta of Aphrodite.
FootnotesIt seems that half-draped women in sculpture, whatever the pose, are quite rare before the late Hellenistic period; however, they appear as early as the 4th century B.C., on a small scale and in terracotta. North Macedonian terracotta figurines of Aphrodite or mortal girls replicate sculptural trends of the 2nd century B.C. In particular, the the classical sculptural tradition was revived during the latter half of the second century B.C., as evidenced by the figurines.
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Nuragic Bronze Head of a Tribal Chief
Circa 8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
The head covered by a small low-top cap; sharp and pronounced nose, prominent eyebrows, small swollen mouth; the hair divided into two braids; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 53 grams total, 91 mm including stand
Ex Frank Sternberg collection, Zürich, Switzerland, circa 1980-1985. Property of an East Sussex, UK, private collector.
Despite being stylised representations, these bronzes detail the material culture of warriors, tribal leaders, priests, athletes, men and women of the late Bronze Age and Iron Age Sardinian society. -
Graeco-Roman Silver Votive Figure of Pallas Athena
Circa 1st century B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Sheet silver beaten over a former; Pallas Athena wearing a chiton gathered at the waist and a conical cap, a stylised aegis armour covering the chest; gold filigree torc at the neck; chiton repaired. 32 grams, 12.1 cm
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of a Surrey, UK, collector. -
Huge Corinthian Black-Figure Lekanis Lid
6th century B.C.Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,000
An extremely large Corinthian or Attic lid with concentric bands to the rim and handle; to the tondo, a frieze of painted figures comprising a swan, a regardant lion, two opposed sphinxes, another regardant lion, another swan, a bull, a lioness and part of another bull(?); restored. 3.7 kg, 49.5 cm wide
Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private Swiss collection since 1998. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11614-199000.
