Parthian Hammered Silver Drinking Vessel

Comprising two acephalic nude figures: the female shown from behind with rounded buttocks and a voluminous garment draped over her shoulders; the male figure shown frontally with his weight on his left leg, leaning against the female, left hand resting on his hip; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 197 grams, 10.3 cm high (344 grams total, 15 cm high including stand)



Ex French Sorbonne archaeology professor (deceased); 1960s-2000s.

The couple represented here could be a depiction of Eros and Psyche. Terracotta figurines of these divinities are quite common in Hellenistic Asia Minor, the Black Sea, the Near East, with examples from Amisos, Ephesos, Priene and possibly Smyrna, but also in the Cyrenaica and in Sicily. In mainland Greece there are a few examples of related types from Beroia and Pella. However, not all the figurines of couples depict Eros and Psyche. Different types are known from other areas of Greece in the late Hellenistic period, on Crete there are close parallels from the Idaean cave.

Drum-shaped frosted glass vessel on a low basal ring, lateral loop handles each with and angled spur below and fish-tail plaque above; 247 grams, 18 cm wide



Acquired in the 1980s. with Christopher Sheppard, London, UK. Acquired from the above in 2007. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11954-210906.

Comprising a penannular hoop and discoid finials with applied filigree collars; the filigree ornament repeated at the centre. 41.68 grams, 70 mm



Previously in the Mansees collection; formed 1950s-early 1990s. From a large American collection formed in Chicago, Illinois, USA, in 1995. Ex European collection. 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 no.11731-200431.