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LOT 0590
Greek Terracotta Head of an Actor Vase
CIRCA 4TH CENTURY B.C.
3 in. (69.3 grams, 75 mm).
An expressive polychrome vase formed as the head of an actor wearing rosette earrings, open mouth and applied pupils, short neck with everted rim above and a small strap handle to the rear. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Louis-Gabriel Bellon, France, (1819-1899).
with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12667-236389.
Cf. similar grotesque head of an actor in the Museum of fine Art Budapest, inv.no.T396.
FootnotesIn Greek theatre, actors wore masks made from materials like linen and leather, which amplified expressions and helped actors take on multiple roles within a single play. Aristotle, in his Poetics, highlighted the importance of masks in conveying emotion and character, especially in large outdoor theatres. This terracotta, representing the satirical mask of a woman, with its lively and expressive features, would have brought both humour and recognisable character traits to the stage, engaging audiences with the playful spirit of Greek comedy.
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AUCTIONS:
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Greek Solid Gold Earring Pair
4th-2nd century B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
Each a thick braided hoop with a collar of twisted filigree and a lion's mask finial. 18.43 grams total, 27 mm each
Private London collection, 1980s. Private collection, acquired on the British art market in 1993. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13185-249263.
The earrings belong to the hoop-type earrings, in which animal and human heads form the terminal as small miniature sculptures modelled in the round. The heads were attached to collars made from a single piece of gold. The group is characterised by lion heads. -
Scythian Bronze Eagle's Talon Pendant
Circa 6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Curved square-section hook with cuboid finial pierced on all four sides and to the top. 12.45 grams, 36.19 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Phoenician Terracotta Bulla with a Dolphin
5th century B.C.Estimate: £120 - 170 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £67
Plano-convex in profile with impressed dolphin and legend. 1.05 grams, 17.71 mm
Acquired in 1994. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.
This Phoenician terracotta bulla, decorated with a dolphin, reflects the strong maritime identity of the Phoenician world. Bullae were typically used to seal documents or goods, serving both a practical and symbolic function in trade and administration. The dolphin, a creature closely associated with the sea, would have held particular meaning for the Phoenicians, whose culture and prosperity were deeply tied to seafaring and commerce across the Mediterranean. Often seen as a symbol of protection, guidance, and safe passage, the dolphin adds an additional layer of meaning to the object, suggesting not only its use in everyday transactions but also a connection to the wider beliefs and environment of the ancient coastal world.
