Parthian Glazed Ceramic Jug

Discoid body with raised rim; ribbed column-like handle with a kneeling stag above, supporting the mirror with its large antlers. 570 grams, 31.5 cm



Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1960s. Acquired from the above, 2007. Private collection, London. 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.12182-221464.

Bronze mirrors of this type with zoomorphic handles, were widespread in the Scythian archaeology of the Northern Black Sea Region, Northern Caucasus and Carpathian Basin. Handles were often decorated with sculptured depictions of rams, feline predators or deer (stag). The similarity with Scythian art is clearly visible by comparing the stag of our mirror with the stags from the Scythian steppe culture (Loehr, 1955, figs.5,6,10,13-21).

Formed from a single square-section filament rolled into two 'spectacle' discs; one of the spirals terminating in a long pin, the other in a hook serving as the catchplate; openwork figure-of-eight at the centre; pin present broken, coils separated. 159 grams, 17 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

Comprising a stylised horse with elongated neck, mounted by a bearded rider figure holding a shield and with the right arm raised, restored; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 265 grams total, 13.2 cm including stand



Acquired before 1990. From an old German collection.

Terracotta figurines of horse and rider were common grave offerings in Boeotia, northwest of Attica, particularly during the 6th century B.C. Representations of warriors on horseback were already widespread in the Geometric Period, and widely used in Cyprus, during this period.