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LOT 0525
Hellenistic Bronze Acanthus Jewellery Matrix
4TH-2ND CENTURY B.C.
2 1/4 in. (78 grams, 57 mm).
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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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0525
Hellenistic Bronze Acanthus Jewellery Matrix
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
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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. -
Greek Bronze Seal Ring with Horse
Circa 5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
With a slender hoop and elliptical bezel engraved with a horse. 4.02 grams, 22.50 mm overall, 18.90 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
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1350-1200 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Produced using repoussé technique, circular in shape with a design of scroll motifs to the outer edge; to the centre a roundel with ropework outline within a roundel of raised dots; applied gold loop for suspension. 1.04 grams, 30 mm
Acquired in the 1990's; cat.1704. From an important Mayfair, London, UK collection.
