Parthian Silver Horse Harness Pendant Hanger with Face

Thin-walled with two elegant loop handles topped by stylised zoomorphic finials, carinated body with the lower part sloping sharply inwards to a small round foot, two small lobes to the carinated edge. 265 grams, 18 cm



Formerly in a private New Jersey, USA, collection, acquired before 1997. Artemis Gallery, Colorado, USA, 18 May 2017, lot 18D. Property of a South Australian private collector, with collection reference 17.03. Accompanied by a detailed collector's catalogue page including description and photograph. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Of ovoid form with trumpet-shaped spout and strap handle, reserved image of a lady wearing a large himation, on a baseline with scrolled foliage. 106 grams, 11 cm



Ex German collection, 1970. with Galerie Chenel, Paris, 22 July 2008. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The word lekythos had a wide meaning in ancient Greece, probably generally meaning all oil jugs, including the athletes' oil bottle (now called aryballos) as well as the types now given this name by archaeologists. Certain lekythoi resemble certain oenochoe superficially, at a first glance. Oenochoes, however, were wine-pitchers and in most cases were larger than the lekythoi, which were small jugs for oil, perfumes, etc.

The ovoid body decorated with a combat scene, band of tendrils and leaves to the shoulder and vertical bands to the slender neck, trumpet-shaped mouth, strap handle and discoid foot; the scene comprising three Hoplites, the first in tall-crested Corinthian helmet, cuirass and greaves, xiphos hanging on his right side, thrusting with his long spear over his ellipsoid shield towards the middle figure, running forwards but with his helmetted head turned towards his attacker, using his Boeotian shield to ward off the blow while manoeuvring his own spear which is blocked by the third figure advancing against him, with spear held underarm, with birds in flight above. 481 grams, 26.5 cm



Private collection, Southern Germany, acquired in 1960s. with Paul-Francis Jacquier, Numismatique Antique, Münzen und Kunst der Antique, 13 September 2013. 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.12189-222313. 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.

The clothing and weapons of the hoplites are detailed copies of hoplites of late decades of 6th century B.C. The left warrior wears a Corinthian helmet with a high crest, a richly decorated robe and greaves. His round Attic shield, from which a richly pleated chlamys hangs down, is decorated with large circles. The middle and the right hoplite wear Corinthian helmets with a lower crest, and also beautifully decorated robes and greaves. They hold very large, Boeotian-shaped shields with striking bundles of lightning and 'flames'. As a beautiful counterpart to the left fighter, the right warrior carries a chlamys with long folds over his shoulder.