Hellenistic Silver Decorated Bowl

A carved marble head of Hermes with densely curled hair, stern facial expression beneath a broad brow, luxuriant curled beard falling in waves and cut square at the lower edge; mounted on a custom-made display stand; a Roman copy after a 5th century B.C. Greek original. 32.2 kg total, 52 cm high including stand

Slot to top of head.

with Chaucer Fine Arts Ltd, 1980s. English private collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Marina Mattei and Dr Laura Maria Vigna. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11615-199747.

This type of this archaic sculpture can be traced back to the original of which many copies and variants have been preserved: the Hermes Propylaios by the Attic sculptor Alkamenes, a pupil of Phidias, active in the second half of the 5th century B.C. According to some theories, the herma was created for the Propylaea of the acropolis of Athens, as patron deity of doors and entrances; according to others, this type of bearded Hermes is not to be located at the Propylaea, but in various possible places inside the Acropolis.

A ceramic horse and rider figure of stylised form, the horse modelled in the round standing with head erect and facing forwards, cropped mane and tail held between hindlegs; the rider modelled holding the animal's neck, possibly wearing a helmet; painted detailing; old collector's label to stomach reading '0606/633 aaide, Beatie 6e BC'; leg repaired. 150 grams, 16.5 cm wide



Ex Nicolas Landau collection (1887-1979). with Sotheby's, Paris, 9th April 2013. lot 235 (part). UK private collection.

A copper-alloy ring composed of a slender hoop and elliptical bezel, engraved with a swan or other large standing bird. 3.57 grams, 21.24 mm overall, 19.57 x 17.46 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.