Parthian Punch-Decorated Bronze Bowl

With a narrow basal ring, a flared rim, and painted circumferential bands. 49.2 grams, 63 mm



Private collection, Los Angeles, USA. Acquired on the American art market. European private collection.

Modelled in the round, standing erect with right hand on his hip and left arm extending from the elbow resting on the left hip and with fingers curled to hold a staff or handle, wearing a loosely draped cloth over the left shoulder and drawn around the body to hang over the arms; ribbed cuffs to the boots; youthful face with tousled hair and slightly exaggerated lentoid eyes; C-shaped staple beneath the feet for attachment; supplied with a custom-made display stand. 506 grams total, 18.7 cm including stand



with Sotheby’s, Antiquities, London, 6 July 1995, no.130. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12194-222321.

The statue was probably a cult offering and presents an archaic Etruscan hairstyle; it is likely to have been produced as a votive offering or for private lararia. His warrior status can be confirmed by his boots, typical of archaic-era Etruscan and Latin warriors.

A squat vessel with a small base, raised neck and slightly projecting rim, carinated shoulder with two projecting bosses and a pair of high strap handles. 221 grams, 13.4 cm wide



Old Basel private collection. Elsa Bloch-Diener, Antike Kunst, Bern, 27 July 1990. Private collection, Bern, Switzerland. Private collection, UK.