LOT 0312

Large Transcaucasian Armour Belt Clasp

1ST CENTURY B.C.-2ND CENTURY A.D.

9 5/8 in. (752 grams total, 24.5 cm high including stand).

Openwork belt fastening-plate comprising: square frame with parallel bands of ropework, a tall conical boss with basal flange at each corner; central figure of an advancing horse with head bowed, hollow to the reverse, with braided halter to the neck and bridle to the muzzle; incised ring-and-dot motif to shoulder and hip; above the horse's back a small quadruped with head turned to face the viewer, triangular muzzle and two curved horns (perhaps an ibex); openwork vegetation around the beasts and between the horse's legs, long-tailed animal gripping the halter (perhaps a squirrel); fixing loop and triangular catch to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand.

German art market.
European private collection, 1970s-early 2000s.
Acquired from the above; thence by descent.
Private collection, London, UK.

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.12284-221444.

Cf. Denwood, P., Archaeology in Asia, volume 7, University of London, June 27-29, London, 1977, p.106, no.138; Ettinghausen, R., Das Pferd in der Orientalischen Kunst in Du: das Kulturmagazin, Bd.6, Zurich, 1978, pp.64-73; Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron: Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, p.439, no.584.

Many bronze belt fittings of this type are in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, (Muscarella, 1988, items 581-4). Muscarella (p.440) notes that a total of 181 were known at the time of his publication (1988).