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LOT 0608
Large Greek Bronze Spiral Fibula
GEOMETRIC, 7TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.
6 5/8 in. (159 grams, 17 cm).
Formed from a single square-section filament rolled into two 'spectacle' discs; one of the spirals terminating in a long pin, the other in a hook serving as the catchplate; openwork figure-of-eight at the centre; pin broken, coils separated.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection, since the late 1990s.
Cf. Cassani, S., Art of the Italic People from 3000-300 B.C., Naples, 1993, p.295, no.188, for similar.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0608
Large Greek Bronze Spiral Fibula
Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)
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Piriform in profile with flange to the flared mouth, ribbed fusiform body and socle base; painted undulation and stylised grapevine motif in ochre and white. 188 grams, 17 cm
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Very Large Greek Brindisi Type Terracotta Amphora
3rd-1st century B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
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Italic Banded Agate Scarab with Kneeling Warrior in Gold Mount
3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,700
Scarab bezel with carapace detailing and intaglio of a kneeling male nude wearing a helmet, holding a shield, sword and a spear; set into a later gold swivel ring; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 5.24 grams, 25 mm
English private collection. Acquired on the English art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13110-248399.
The intaglio can depict Capaneus, a legendary, strong, skilled, but arrogant warrior. He was one of the Seven Against Thebes, who boasted that not even Zeus could stop him from scaling the city walls. However, as he climbed them, Zeus struck him down with a bolt of lightning, illustrating divine punishment for his hubris. Evadne, his wife, then threw herself onto the funerary pyre in her grief. The story of strength but excessive pride was reflected in Dante's Inferno, where Capaneus is in the seventh circle as a condemned blasphemer.