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LOT 0017
Phoenician Bone Sphinx
5TH CENTURY B.C.
1 3/8 in. (21.2 grams, 35 mm).
Seated with curving wings flanking the body and stocky body resting on over-sized lion-paws, small female head with rounded facial features and curly hair; hollow inside.
ProvenanceEx Dr Leo Mildenberg, Zurich, 1990s.
with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Leo Mildenberg (1913–2001) was a distinguished numismatist and antiquities collector, widely recognised for his deep passion for ancient art, especially animal figures. Born in Germany and later based in Switzerland, Mildenberg built a renowned private collection that reflected his keen eye for craftsmanship and historical significance. His collection spanned cultures and periods, including Egyptian, Near Eastern, Greek, and Roman artefacts, with a particular emphasis on zoomorphic sculptures and votive figures.
Portions of Mildenberg’s collection have been exhibited in major museums and featured in auction catalogues that remain important reference sources for scholars and collectors alike.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0017
Phoenician Bone Sphinx
Estimate £800 - 1,000€930 - 1,160 (for guidance only)$1,080 - 1,350 (for guidance only)
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Phoenician Glass Bead Collection
6th-3rd century B.C. or laterEstimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £650
Comprising a group of crumb-decorated polychrome oblate beads and a centrepiece pendant formed as a stylised bearded head. 179 grams total, 12-42 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The Phoenicians, renowned seafarers and traders, were also skilled glassworkers. They produced a wide variety of glass beads using core-forming and winding techniques, with vivid colours and elaborate designs that reflect both technical mastery and cross-cultural influence. Among the most iconic Phoenician beads are glass 'head' beads, crafted in the form of stylised human or mythological faces. Typically, they feature exaggerated facial details like bulging eyes, large noses, beards, and headdresses, often with expressive or comic features. They were possibly worn as amulets to ward off evil or attract protection, though they may also represent deities, ancestors, or foreigners. These beads often incorporate Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern stylistic elements, reflecting the Phoenicians’ extensive trade networks. -
Phoenician Bronze Stamp Seal
Late 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
With domed head and pierced rectangular shank, hatched detailing. 5.53 grams, 24.5 mm
Ex London, UK, gentleman, 1990. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Egyptian Glass Taweret Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £278
The goddess Taweret in the form of a hippopotamus standing upright with human arms resting on the swollen stomach, crocodile tail flowing down her spine from beneath her wig; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 11.9 grams, 52 mm
Ex P.A. collection, London, UK, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Tawaret is an ancient Egyptian goddess primarily associated with fertility, childbirth, motherhood, and the protection of women during pregnancy and childbirth. She is depicted as a composite creature, blending various animal traits, and is one of the more unique and striking deities in the Egyptian pantheon. Tawaret’s name is derived from the Egyptian word for "great" or "large" (tꜣwꜣrt), reflecting her formidable and protective nature.
