Iberian Bronze Statuette

With large eyes and applied pupils, accentuated nose and open mouth with protruding tongue, hair indicated with regularly disposed lines; repaired, western Greek workmanship; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 142 grams total, 15.5 cm including stand



Ex Mr M.Q.F, Horgen, Switzerland, 1971. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

A Gorgoneion was a protective symbol in ancient Greek art that depicts the head of the Gorgon, a mythical creature with snakes for hair and a terrifying gaze that could turn people to stone. The Gorgoneion was believed to have the power to ward off evil and protect the person who wore it or displayed it. The image of the Gorgoneion was often used as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evil or bad luck. It was often depicted on shields, armour, or even as an architectural feature on buildings. The symbol was also sometimes used in jewellery, such as amulets or pendants, and was believed to bring good luck and protection to the wearer. The most famous depiction of the Gorgoneion is probably the one on the aegis of the goddess Athena.

Tall unglazed ceramic comprising a biconical body and low basal ring, rounded shoulder and broad funicular neck with rolled rim, two strap handles to the equator; painted with bands of ring-and-dot motifs to neck and shoulder, interstitial horizontal bands; repaired. 3.8 kg, 43.5 cm



Property of a Cambridgeshire collector. From his private collection since the 1970s; thence by descent circa 2000. Ex private collection of a Bedfordshire gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

With flared foot, broad shoulder and trumpet-shaped mouth, strap handle to the rear; painted frieze with scene of two warriors fighting on foot with spears, watched by two silhouetted companions; ivy leaves to shoulder. 154 grams, 13.9 cm



Ex Gübelin, Switzerland, before 1970. with Fischer Luzern, 2006. Acquired by the previous owner from the above, 9 June 2006. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss register certificate, no.S00066703. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12638-264603. 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.