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LOT 0569
Hellenistic Acanthus Jewellery Matrix
4TH-2ND CENTURY B.C.
2 1/4 in. (78 grams, 57 mm).
A trapezoidal bronze matrix, likely for jewellery production, bearing an acanthus leaf motif in relief to one face, with delicate detailing.
ProvenanceGerman collection before 2000.
Collection of Mr.D.H., formed in UK, from the EU art market.
Property of a Surrey gentleman.
Cf. Treister, M., 'Bronze Matrices from George Ortiz Collection', in Calinescu, A. (ed.), Ancient Jewelry and Archaeology: Proceedings of International Symposium dedicated to the memory of Burton Y.Berry, Bloomington, September 1991, Bloomington, Indianapolis, 1991, pp.172-184.
FootnotesIn antiquity, matrices for raising jewellery elements, ornaments and plaques were made of bronze, stone or reinforced terracotta. Matrices with designs in relief were used as an alternative to matrices with hollow designs or intaglio matrices.
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LOT 0569
Hellenistic Acanthus Jewellery Matrix
Estimate £120 - 170€140 - 200 (for guidance only)$160 - 230 (for guidance only)
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Large Greek Apulian Red-Figure Bell-Krater
4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £28,600
A red-figure terracotta bell-krater displaying polychrome figural panels between a laurel wreath and a band of Greek key motifs; side a) two robed male figures holding staffs, wearing a taenia or a band around the head, standing facing a central altar; side b) a woman wearing a chiton and holding a casket and olive sprig in her outstretched hands, advancing right towards a nude man standing right, his head turned towards her, holding a bucket and olive sprig, a cloak draped over his arm, elaborate volute palmettes beneath both handles; restored. 4 kg, 41 cm wide
Private collection, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Ex collection H.& P. Payot, Clarens, by descent. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.QED2237/SG-0201 from QED Laboratoire. 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.11580-199029.
Wide-mouthed bell kraters like this one were specifically designed for holding large quantities of liquid and to work as mixing bowls, as it was considered barbaric for wine to be drunk neat (a privilege only enjoyed by Dionysus and his entourage who could handle such a level of intoxication). Wine would be mixed with water, usually one part to three, or even more, as described by Homer regarding the wine offered to the giant Polyphemus (Odyssey, IX, 206-211). As such, kraters provided an ideal large surface area for decoration, and as wine was of utmost importance at the symposium, kraters would usually take centre place, and the decoration of such vessels were geared towards such gatherings attempting to provide subject matter for philosophical debate, like the ones described in Athenaeus’ Deipnosophistae. -
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1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
A bronze mount depicting a captured leopard advancing in profile with large teeth carefully depicted; chain attached to the foreleg, fetters on both ankles; mounting lug to the reverse. 38.3 grams, 65 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
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6th century B.C.Estimate: £10,000 - 14,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5,000
An extremely large Corinthian or Attic black-figure ceramic lekanis 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.
