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LOT 0062
Large Greek Bronze Double-Headed Animal Terminal
GEOMETRIC, 8TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.
3 3/8 in. (55.6 grams, 86 mm).
Comprising a crescentic body with a slender neck at each end, topped by a bird-head with a rectangular crest, vertical legs with raised block detailing conjoined at the lower end into a mounting peg.
ProvenanceEx collection Mr K.H., Germany.
Private collection, acquired in 2012.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13077-246757.
Cf. for similar fittings, Christiansen, J., Greece in the Geometric Period, Copenhagen, 1992, figs.70ff., esp.40,44,49-50.
FootnotesBird figures, standing on plates or discs, are found as votives mainly in Northern Greek sanctuaries of the Geometric Age. They should be regarded as symbolic and sometimes modest gifts to the gods. Some birds were also designed as pendants. The present fitting resembles a rooster, but it could also represent a peacock, and hence is connected with the goddess Hera.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0062
Large Greek Bronze Double-Headed Animal Terminal
Estimate £1,200 - 1,700€1,390 - 1,970 (for guidance only)$1,620 - 2,300 (for guidance only)
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Graeco-Roman Bronze Ram-Headed Iron Knife
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Comprising a single-edged knife set with a balustered bronze handle with rope decoration, and the pommel formed as a ram with curving horns. 26.5 grams, 11 cm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Greek Lead Slingshot with Inscription
Circa 5th-4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Lozengiform in section and fusiform in plan with the Greek letters 'TO' in low relief. 31.12 grams, 34 mm
Property of a European gentleman, acquired from the estate of a London collector (formed before 2000). -
Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors
Attic, 500-480 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,000
Of ovoid shape, short neck and expanded flat rim; painted in horizontal bands with black vertical strokes the shoulder, ovules in the upper part, the central scene representing a Greek Ekdromos fighting a Scythian archer; the Greek warrior, wearing a light sleeveless chiton, and a crested Corinthian helmet, carrying a wide hoplon shield, and a long spear with which he is slashing his opponent; the Scythian archer is wearing a typical tall cap flowing backwards and his long coat-suit, carrying a gorytos, (quiver) and composite bow with arrow; horizontal black stripes below; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 262 grams total, 16 cm high including stand
Louis-Gabriel Bellon (1819-1899) collection, France. European private collection, 2009. 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.13019-246753.
The importance of this alabastron is linked to its iconography, which represents episodes of the Persian Wars, fought 490-480 B.C. Such alabastra are part of a series realised during the period of the conflict and after, and they are an important source of information on the Persian and Greek armies. Here, the two opponents evoke the Greek victories, with a light-armed Greek ekdromos (hoplite fighting in light equipment) killing a Scythian archer, who formed part of the Persian army. The representation of Scythian costume in vase-painting reached its height of popularity between c. 530 and 490 B.C., and went out of fashion after the Graeco-Persian wars, when these clothes began to be associated with the Persian ethnic identity rather than the original Scythian.
