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LOT 0555
Greek Terracotta Horse Rhyton
5TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.
9 in. (704 grams, 23.5 cm).
Of bulbous tubular form and with a flared mouth, tapering to the foreparts of a horse with detailing to the eyes, mane and bridle, forelegs extended.
ProvenanceAcquired on the European art market in the 1990s.
Ex property of a Suffolk collector.
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AUCTIONS:
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Eastern Greek Carnelian Scarab Seal
6th-5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,200
Modelled with semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing, the base displaying a battle showing a mature and muscular naked man grappling with a winged gryphon; drilled for suspension. 2.29 grams, 16 mm
Ex F.A., Brussels, 1980. Private collection of a London antiquarian.
Combat between a man and gryphon is a well-attested subject matter on Greek scarabs. A faience factory was found in Naukratis by Flinders-Petrie, with innumerable faience and discarded moulds. The motifs on the bottom surface are repetitive and hurriedly worked. They depict lucky symbols or representative subjects (lions with sun disc, ibex, Horus falcons, lotus flowers); such motifs had already been adopted into Greek art but are generally considered typically Egyptian. Here the subject of a fight against a gryphon is Greek, although the style of the fighting character seems Phoenician, which points to Eastern Mediterranean workmanship, possibly on the Island of Rhodes. -
Early Parthian Bronze Vase
Circa 3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Featuring a squat piriform body, flared cylindrical neck and short waisted stem with everted foot. 227 grams, 21 cm high
UK collection, early 1990s and before. Acquired on the UK art market since the early 2000s. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK. -
Greek Bronze Handle with Lion-Skin Head
Circa 5th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Formed as the skinned head and forepaws of a lion, together with two lateral handles with fastening holes surmounted by a pearled edge. 159 grams, 80 mm
Acquired on the UK art market 2000s.
The handle appears to be a device once attached to a wine vessel or pan-like vessels. The vessel handles were usually formed as divinities or animals linked with gods (ie. lions for Herakles). The lion's skin is hanging down like in the images representing Herakles resting and drinking after his labours.