Hellenistic Marble Head of a Woman

Each a hollow-formed crescent with applied filigree borders, band of hollow-formed knops to the outer edge and piriform panel at each end with granulated border and inset garnet cabochon; below, a banded agate sphere with framing dentilled granulated collars, cluster of hollow bulbs with flanking cabochon garnets. 34.2 grams total, 56-60 mm



Property of a London, UK, gentleman, pre-1990. Ex London, UK, gallery. 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 no.11185-186691. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The boat-shaped central body is typical of old style Greek earrings connected with clusters of globe and is visible in the early Hellenistic jewellery from Taranto (Williams & Ogden, 1994, p.213), but the abundant use of filigree fits with examples from the Eastern Mediterranean area (Williams & Ogden, 1994, p.243).

Crescentic frontal panel from a necklace or collar; sheet gold band with slight carination, lightly incised leaf and berry detailing; applied filigree band to each end with double-loop attachment points; three applied foil rosettes; eleven banded agate dangles to the lower edge with sheet gold suspension; a marriage of ancient parts. 33.84 grams, 15.2 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. 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 a search certificate number no.12591-232174. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Rosettes were one of the most desired decorations on jewellery. Diadems with rosettes are attested from the archaic period onwards. One of the rosette types was the so-called flower-head from Madytos, which most closely resembled the common wild or dog rose. The rose was, of course, much prized in ancient times for its wonderful scent and as the favoured flower of Aphrodite, the goddess of love: the lyric poet Anakreon called it ‘the perfume of gods, the joy of men’.

Each moulded with plain reverse, some facial and body detailing to obverse with flared foot. 200 grams total, 10.4-11.1 cm



Acquired in the 1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.