Hellenistic Terracotta Theatre Mask

Modelled in the round with fleece texture to the back and rump, applied eyes and horns; mounted on a display base with old collector's labels to the underside: 'Cyprus / Early bronze age, 2250-2000 BC. / Ram, red clay, once attached to the rim of a vessel.' and '2517-14/3'. 204 grams total, 11 cm wide including stand



Ex Professor Karl Lunde collection (1931-2009). 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. With old label to the base.

Comprising a pedestal base, mastoid body, lateral strap handles and funicular neck, broad mouth with stepped rim; the neck and rim decorated with a band of egg-and-dart; both faces of the body decorated with a figural scene with a standing male on the left with close-fitting cap, long cloak or mantle reaching from shoulder to knee and clasped at his right shoulder with a disc brooch, holding in his left hand a key-shaped object; to his right, a chest-high structure with palmette at the top, waisted shaft and arcaded base; to the right, a female standing facing the male, wearing a crested helmet or headdress, peplos dress gathered at her waist and extending to the floor, holding in her right hand a diadem or wreath towards the male; palmettes below the handles, the base with red and black banding; the strap handles undecorated; likely Campanian workmanship. 969 grams, 25.2 cm



Acquired in Münich in 2012. European private 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.12190-222344.

During the late 5th century B.C., Attic imports ceased as the Spartans blockaded trade routes during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.). In response, five areas in southern Italy, Campania, Paestum, Apulia, Lucania, and Sicily began to produce red-figure vases. The decoration offered a remarkable range of subjects associated not only with mythological images, but with representations the local life, costumes and customs. The simple, single figure compositions decorating each side of this vase were also characteristic of the style, which tended to avoid complex mythological scenes often found on much larger vessels like volute craters, favouring representation of the daily life of south Italic Hellenised peoples.

With barrel-shaped segmented body, basal ring, broad mouth with flared rim, bifid loop handle. 198 grams, 12.7 cm wide



Believed to be acquired in the 1970s-1980s, thence by descent. English private collection.