Mycenaean Terracotta Vessel Collection

Depicting a young man dressed in a long cloak, the right hand resting on a staff, facing a young woman wrapped in a long himation, covering her head and leaving the face uncovered; the scene enclosed within a medallion decorated with meanders and chequered squares; remains of the stem to the reverse with painted figures on the edge; repaired. 91 grams, 13 cm



Acquired before 2005. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11796-206819.

This red-figure scene once possibly formed part of a kylix, a cup made for drinking. The decoration of the tondo surrounding the figures allows a comparison with some works of the painter Onesimos and the potter Euphronios. In particular the meanders on the medallion, and the working of the figures, seems to recall the work of Onesimos, who preferred to decorate cups, many of them thrown by the famous Euphronios.

The keeled bow with a central bulb, integral pin and large catch-plate. 29 grams, 89 mm



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

The function of the catch-plate fibulae was utilitarian and decorative, they were used for woollen clothing (Herodotus V, 87) and they have been found in houses, tombs and as votive offerings in sanctuaries. Our fibula is an early type, very often found in the graves of the Greek colonies of Southern Italy and widespread in the Magna Graecia. This typology was introduced there by the Greeks. Like all female fibulae, it functioned as a clothing fastener, usually worn as a pair on each shoulder.

Each composed of a slender wire hoop and a winged Eros plaque with detailing to the body, face and hair; closure loop to reverse. 3.24 grams total, 21 mm each



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.