Phoenician Grey Stone Statue Head

Of reserved slip ware, comprising a shallow bowl with indented base, single loop handle; black glaze inside, red-brown colour outside; some restoration. 173 grams, 14.9 cm wide

Some restoration.

Ex Peter Negus collection (1920-2012). Acquired from Bonhams, London, 26 October 2007, no.354 (part). From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by the original Bonhams lot tag and a much older tag with description and collection number DAA41.

The vessel belongs to a rare form of polished ware which originally was intended to achieve a two-tone effect. In the reserved slip ware, parts of the red slip was wiped away while it was still wet, revealing patches of the pale under surface. After this the whole surface was polished and the final result was a 'trick' decoration in which the negative patches appear to be positive pattern on the dark red surface.

Comprising the outer part of a right foot with elongated toes and anatomical detailing, base of a sandal visible on the outer edge. 351 grams, 19 cm



Acquired in Germany before 2000. English private collection.

This object belongs to impasto ceramics of red-brown typology, and it was probably an unfinished votive foot. It could have been part of a medium-size statuette, or an anatomical ex voto related to a temple deposit, linked with a health divinity. We have parallels in Veii, Vulci and in the whole of the Latial area.

Rounded in form with pinched and impressed facial detailing, ridge to the shoulders and rump, hollow to the underside; remains of a very old label to one side. 236 grams, 10.4 cm



From the property of Mr O.S., a late Suffolk, UK, gentleman, who acquired at auction from the 1960s.