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LOT 0086
Greek Terracotta Figure of Eros, the God of Love
HELLENISTIC, 3RD-1ST CENTURY B.C.
12 1/4 in. (808 grams total, 31 cm including stand).
Modelled nude in a dynamic pose with his wings spread open, the left leg slightly advanced, and the right arm extended with open palm, a diadem or a fillet on his head; circular socket between the wings; accompanied by a display stand.
ProvenanceLouis-Gabriel Bellon (1819-1899) collection, France.
European private collection, 2009.
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. 13014-246790.
Cf. Mollard-Besques, S., Catalogue Raisonné des Figurines et Reliefs en Terre-Cuite Grecs et Romains. II: Myrina. 2 Bände Paris, 1963, pls.39-48, for similar terracotta flying erotes; cf. flying Eros with a mirror, in the Louvre Museum, accession no. Myr 95; a winged Eros with a diadem similar to our statuette, from Myrina, in Louvre, accession number Myr67; handmade statuette of winged dancing Eros with the same diadem in Mentesidou, E., The Terracotta figurines of Amisos, Thessaloniki, 2011, fig.60 (dancing winged Eros with similar diadem); for a general analysis of the Eros figure and character see Mattei, M. (ed.), La Favola di Amore e Psyche, Roma, 2012.
FootnotesIn classical times, Eros was usually depicted as a handsome adolescent, with only his wings distinguishing him from other kaloi and young athletes. Sometimes he was depicted younger and with less masculine features: Lysippos, in the famous statue of Eros of Thespiae, depicted him as a youth.
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LOT 0086
Greek Terracotta Figure of Eros, the God of Love
Estimate £10,000 - 14,000€11,600 - 16,240 (for guidance only)$13,500 - 18,900 (for guidance only)
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Greek Turquoise Bead Necklace with Gold Beads
Hellenistic, circa 2nd-1st century B.C.Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,250
Composed of twenty-nine oval turquoise beads and four bicone sheet-gold beads with granulation, decorated with spirals and vertical lines, with beaded wire collars and equator, with later openwork clasp. 72 grams, 55.5 cm
Acquired on European art market, 1990s. Private collection of Mr K.A., France. with Kallos Gallery, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13011-246750.
The use of turquoise and carnelian cloisonné inlay would be more expected in the Ptolemaic or earlier periods than from the Roman period. However, the love of coloured stones increased during the Roman period. In about A.D. 200, Clement said that 'the stones which silly women wear fastened to chains and set in necklaces' included emerald, amethyst, peridot, jasper and ceraunites. Clement's list of stones is closely paralleled by a tariff list of c. A.D. 200, and a list of jewellery from Spain. Both of these sources also include sapphire (hyacinthus) and callaina, which was probably turquoise. -
Greek Blackware Short-Stemmed Kantharos
Circa 5th-4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
With a flared foot, tapering body and two lateral high strap handles with ribs to the outer edges, the sidewall set off from the foot by a carination. 354 grams, 23 cm wide
Ex Norri collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK, 1980s-1990s. -
Greek Terracotta Female Protome
Early 5th century B.C.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £750
Mould-made female protome with oval face, graceful nose and typical "archaic" smile; forehead framed by snail-shell curls descending to shoulder-height; with a low polos with a central perforation and large disc earrings. 606 grams, 19.5 cm
Ex Herbert A. Cahn, Kunst der Antike, Basel, 1997. with Paul and Vreny Vosseler-Studer, Riehen. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00057826. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12474-228714.