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LOT 0525
Parthian Terracotta Statuette Group
3RD CENTURY B.C.
6 1/4 in. (598 grams total, 15.5 cm each).
Hollow-formed, comprising: a rider on a rearing horse with chlamys extended in the wind, and wearing wide Persian trousers (saravara), red pigment in the field; Zeus enthroned, facing with an eagle at his feet, hole to the reverse. [2]
ProvenanceEx private European collection.
with Genève Enchères, 14 December 2017, lot 863.
Cf. Bel, N., Giroire, C., Gombert, F., Rutschowscaya, M.H., L'Orient romain et byzantin au Louvre, Arles / Paris, 2012, p.224, fig.205, for identical cavalryman (Louvre AO 10221).
FootnotesThe costume of Parthian nobles consisted of a tunic or wrapped jacket, trousers and boots/footwear, generally typical of a riding dress. Interestingly, the right side of the tunic was knee-length (such as those seen om early Sassanian noblemen depicted in the Persepolis graffiti) but the left side of the tunic, for many Parthian cavalrymen, appeared shorter and only reached to the upper thigh.
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AUCTIONS:
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Hellenistic Decorated Silver-Gilt Bowl
Late 2nd-early 1st century B.C.Estimate: £15,000 - 20,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £7,500
The bell-shaped bowl with everted flaring rim, raised from a single sheet with parcel-gilding; the inner rim with raised wreath ornament, a band of geometric motifs below; central band composed of an elaborate garland of leaves and flowers flanked by bands of volutes; the base with an eight-petalled flower with radiating large leaves; small repair. 246 grams, 20.2 wide (1.58 kg total, 28.5 x 28 cm including case)
From the collection of George Ortiz (1927-2013). with Mansour Gallery, early 2000s. Subsequently in a French 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 search certificate number no.11936-210132.
Similar segment-shaped silver bowls with partial gilding, decorated on the inside with friezes in the form of garlands or wickerwork on the bottom, have been found in many nomad mounds of the Caucasus and in the territories once dominated by the Arsacid Empire. They are attributed to Parthian workshops by Pfrommer and M. Treister. -
Scythian Bronze Antelope Mount
Circa 4th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Openwork with mounting lug to the reverse; animal in active pose with S-curved tail. 50 grams, 60 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Greek Red-Figure Hydria with Combat Scene Between Amazons and Greek or Trojan Heroes
4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
The vessel with integral round-section upward-facing handles, a third, round-section handle placed vertically between shoulder and upper neck to rear; laurel sprigs to the neck with traces of gilding; combat scene with Amazons (and Trojans?) below, armed with short swords and crescent shields, most wearing an exomis leaving the shoulder and one breast uncovered; volute palmettes below both side-handles, a panel of tiered and swirling volutes to the rear, all on a band of egg-moulding, repeated around the rim; possibly Apulian or Campanian; restored. 3 kg, 46 cm high
Ex collection Woodyat, Rome, Italy, 1912. with Vente Genève, 24 & 25 June 1960. Private 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 search certificate number no.11581-199028.
The mythological topic of this hydria is fascinating, representing a fight between Amazons and Greek or Trojan heroes (suggested by the central cavalryman wearing a Phrygian cap). During this period, Amazons were no longer represented as Persian or Scythian warriors, as in Attic red-figure ceramics, but depicted as athletic parthenoi and wearing chitons. Rather than oriental costume and armour, the Amazons wear a short exomis with a bare shoulder and breast (Patten, 2013, PI.VI, I, VI,2, 2 and 3).
