Large Greek Gold Bead Pendant

Comprising a round-section U-shaped hoop and a lentoid-shaped bezel bearing the image of flying Nike with her wings spread and wearing a long dress, leaving her feet exposed. 9.61 grams, 23.23 mm overall, 18.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)



Focquaert collection, Belgium, 1980s. European private collection, 2012. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13020-246779.

The ring belongs to the typology I of Boardman’s classification (Boardman, 2001, p.213). One of the subjects usually represented on this ring type is the flying Nike. A similar flying Nike is visible on a gold ring found in grave 17 of the Nymphaeum, and it is today preserved at the Hermitage.

Modelled in the round figure standing with arms raised, head tilted upward with shoulder-length hair and horned cap, collar to the throat with large disc closure, pectoral pendant on a stylised braided thong; mounted on a custom-made stand; possibly Cypriot workmanship. 277 grams total, 17 cm high including stand



Ex Ernest Ohly collection. Acquired from Woolley & Wallis, Wiltshire, UK, 20 May 2010, no.1010 (part). From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.

The handle formed as a nude youth supporting a panel of double volutes and half-palmettes, long braided hair falling at the back of the neck and on his forehead; the legs joined and ankles extended, the feet enclosed in pointed shoes, palmette below; accompanied by the bowl with inverted rim, a pair of parallel lines to the outer rim; the handle and part of the rim detached and mounted separately on the custom-made display stand. 1.35 kg total, 45.5 cm high including stand



with Herbert A. Cahn, Basel, 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00075168. 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 no.12462-228709.

Anthropomorphic handles with images of young naked boys connected with animals were widespread and used for mirrors. The object, in particular, is part of the group of mirrors and paterae with standing youths (male and female, probably symbolising athletes) and nude female mirror caryatids (Mitten-Doeringer, 1968, figs.87-88) serving as vertical handles.