Large Parthian Glazed Faience Figure of the God Astarte

With a folded trefoil mouth, an applied ribbed handle and basal ring, and incised concentric rings above the equator. 491 grams, 17 cm



Private collection, acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s; thence by descent.

Throughout the 7th century BC, the Phoenician ports received goods from the East, from Cyprus, Eastern Greece, Pithecussa, and even Etruria, likely in exchange for grain, oil, and wine. Among the various archaeological finds unearthed in these ports are Attic, Corinthian, and Rhodian pottery, some of which was manufactured by the Greek colonies of the West, such as Ischia-Pithecussa.

Modelled in the round in the form of a ram lying with its legs folded beneath the body, head turned with hooked horns, collar to the neck with a large pellet pendant; ribbed suspension loop behind the shoulders, mounting lug beneath the trunk. 12.87 grams, 30 mm



Private collection, acquired on the European art market in 2002. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, 8 June 2004. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13204-249215.

The ram, a male symbol, was associated with various divinities. Turned into a ram as a child by Zeus, and a common sacrifice to the god, the ram was a symbol of Dionysus, which he shared with Aphrodite. Ram heads and pendants frequently occur in jewellery. In the animal kingdom, Eros favours the cockerel and the ram, both of which are indicative of sexual potency.

Bulbous in profile with a short neck and a broad rim to the mouth, a short strap handle to the rear; painted with sirens facing left; vertical lines to the rim, shoulders and bottom. 100 grams, 80 cm high



Ex Lotti Hohl, Switzerland; acquired before 1987.