Parthian Bronze Horse Oil Lamp

Crescentic frontal panel from a necklace or collar; sheet gold band with slight carination, lightly incised leaf and berry detailing; applied filigree band to each end with double-loop attachment points; three applied foil rosettes; eleven banded agate dangles to the lower edge with sheet gold suspension; a marriage of ancient parts. 33.84 grams, 15.2 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. 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.12591-232174. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Rosettes were one of the most desired decorations on jewellery. Diadems with rosettes are attested from the archaic period onwards. One of the rosette types was the so-called flower-head from Madytos, which most closely resembled the common wild or dog rose. The rose was, of course, much prized in ancient times for its wonderful scent and as the favoured flower of Aphrodite, the goddess of love: the lyric poet Anakreon called it ‘the perfume of gods, the joy of men’.

Hollow-form and standing on a pedestal with her right knee slightly bent, both hands holding the edges of her flowing peplos, wearing a polos crown, naturalistic detailing to face; traces of pigment remaining, a rectangular cut-out on her back. 604 grams, 31.5 cm



From the collection of Pierre and Claude Vérité, Paris, France, acquired between 1930 and 1960. with Christie's, Paris, Collection Pierre et Claude Vérité, 20 December 2011, no.121 (part). Ex Galerie Günter Puhze GmbH, Germany, 2012. Private collection, Bern, Switzerland. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12664-236370. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Comprising a tapering bow with median cluster of an elongated bulb with collar either side, one arm extending to a single-loop spring and pin, the other widening to a flat catchplate. 47 grams, 96 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.