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LOT 0084
Greek Terracotta Figural Plaque
4TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.
4 in. (6 in.) (197 grams, 10.3 cm high (344 grams total, 15 cm high including stand)).
Comprising two acephalic nude figures: the female shown from behind with rounded buttocks and a voluminous garment draped over her shoulders; the male figure shown frontally with his weight on his left leg, leaning against the female, left hand resting on his hip; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceEx French Sorbonne archaeology professor (deceased); 1960s-2000s.
LiteratureCf. for similar but not identical couple in terracotta in Sporn, K., ‘Hellenistic Terracotta Figurines from Syme Viannou’ in Πεπραγμένα του IA΄ Διεθνούς Κρητολογικού Συνεδρίου, Ρέθυμνον, 20-27 Οκτωβρίου 2011, Τόμος Α 2.2 Τμήμα Αρχαιολογικό. Τάφοι – Ταφικές Πρακτικές – Φυσική Ανθρωπολογία. Νέες ανασκαφικές έρευνες. Τεχνολογία – Τέχνη – Εικονογραφία, Rethymnon, 2018, pp.125-136, fig.6.
FootnotesThe couple represented here could be a depiction of Eros and Psyche. Terracotta figurines of these divinities are quite common in Hellenistic Asia Minor, the Black Sea, the Near East, with examples from Amisos, Ephesos, Priene and possibly Smyrna, but also in the Cyrenaica and in Sicily. In mainland Greece there are a few examples of related types from Beroia and Pella. However, not all the figurines of couples depict Eros and Psyche. Different types are known from other areas of Greece in the late Hellenistic period, on Crete there are close parallels from the Idaean cave.
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Greek Red-Figure Hydria with Combat Scene Between Amazons and Greek or Trojan Heroes
4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
The vessel with integral round-section upward-facing handles, a third, round-section handle placed vertically between shoulder and upper neck to rear; laurel sprigs to the neck with traces of gilding; combat scene with Amazons (and Trojans?) below, armed with short swords and crescent shields, most wearing an exomis leaving the shoulder and one breast uncovered; volute palmettes below both side-handles, a panel of tiered and swirling volutes to the rear, all on a band of egg-moulding, repeated around the rim; possibly Apulian or Campanian; restored. 3 kg, 46 cm high
Ex collection Woodyat, Rome, Italy, 1912. with Vente Genève, 24 & 25 June 1960. Private European collection. 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.11581-199028.
The mythological topic of this hydria is fascinating, representing a fight between Amazons and Greek or Trojan heroes (suggested by the central cavalryman wearing a Phrygian cap). During this period, Amazons were no longer represented as Persian or Scythian warriors, as in Attic red-figure ceramics, but depicted as athletic parthenoi and wearing chitons. Rather than oriental costume and armour, the Amazons wear a short exomis with a bare shoulder and breast (Patten, 2013, PI.VI, I, VI,2, 2 and 3). -
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Circa 4th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Openwork with mounting lug to the reverse; animal in active pose with S-curved tail. 50 grams, 60 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Hellenistic Bronze Lidded Cosmetic Vessel
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