Hellenistic Gold Amphora Pendant Inlaid with Gemstones

A red-figure terracotta hydria with mythological scene, the vessel with integral round-section upward facing handles, a third, round-section handle placed vertically between shoulder and upper neck to rear; laurel sprigs to the neck with traces of gilding; combat scene with Amazons (and Trojans?) below, armed with short swords and crescent shields, most wearing an exomis leaving the shoulder and one breast uncovered; volute palmettes below both side handles, a panel of tiered and swirling volutes to the rear, all on a band of egg-moulding, repeated around the rim; possibly Apulian or Campanian; restored. 3 kg, 46 cm high



Ex collection Woodyat, Rome, Italy, 1912. with Vente Genève, 24 & 25 June 1960. Private European collection. 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.11581-199028.

The mythological topic of this hydria is fascinating, representing the fight between Amazons and Greek or Trojan heroes (suggested by the central cavalryman wearing a Phrygian cap). During this period, Amazons were no longer represented as Persian or Scythian warriors, as in Attic red-figure ceramics, but depicted as athletic parthenoi and wearing chitons. Rather than the oriental costume and armour, the Amazons wear a short exomis with a bare shoulder and breast (Patten, 2013, PI.VI, I, VI,2, 2 and 3).

A terracotta kylix with broad flat foot, short stem, broad bowl with carination at the shoulder, glared mouth and two square strap handles; frieze of black-painted decoration including two scenes of a chariot yoked to two centaurs, one with sgraffito markings, between palmettes; restored. 566 grams, 25.5 cm wide

Restored.; fine condition, repaired.

Cambridgeshire collection, 1990s-2000s. Ex property of a Sussex gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by 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.11579-198944.

These Attic kylikes were usually presented with a stemmed base, a deep bowl and twin, upturned loop handles, all upon a concave base. The exterior walls were decorated with black-figure technique on red background, here in a style remarkably similar to that of the Haimon Painter, especially in the rendering of facial features, and feet. The imagery on the exterior of these kylikes, used in the symposia, varied a lot. Just as the cup could be a mask (in the so-called typology of the Attic black-figure eye cups) to transform the drinker, to give a “complex painted character”. Daily life scenes, or fantasies like the chariot here pulled by centaurs, were among the various subjects.

A matching pair of hinged gold earrings, each composed of a hollow-formed crescentic hoop adorned with a row of granulation and pyramid granules; hinged closure above. 3.95 grams total, 18 mm each

Fine condition.

Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.