Hellenistic Garnet Gemstone with Hercules Club and Lionskin

With pinched three-lobe mouth and strap handle; threads and details highlighted in purple; decorated scene in square metope comprising two dancing figures, one male and the other female, probably symposiasts; the male naked, holding a stick in his right hand and with the other arm carrying his coat; the female, a hetaera, dancing and running to the right, wearing a long chiton and a coat. 423 grams, 20.3 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12089-218152.

Comprising a D-section band with median band of raised ropework; S-curved format. 5.45 grams, 19.01 mm overall, 15.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F, USA 2 3/4, Europe 3.67, Japan 3)



with Arts d'Orient Archaeology, Paris, 7 June 2006, no. 556. Ex Galerie Dominique Thirion, Brussels, Belgium. From the private collection of Mr K.A.

With narrow base, oblate profile, two lateral loop handles to the shoulder, broad neck and flared rim to the mouth; painted bands of circumferential geometric ornament, concentric circles to the shoulder and neck. 1.27 kg, 27 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.