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LOT 0617
Phoenician Steatite Intaglio with Sphinx
8TH-5TH CENTURY B.C.
5/8 in. (3.52 grams, 17 mm).
Intaglio sphinx sitting with one foreleg raised, arched wing to the back; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1980s.
Private collection, since the late 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0617
Phoenician Steatite Intaglio with Sphinx
Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)
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Parthian Terracotta Horse and Rider Statue
3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Figure of a horseman with carefully modelled facial features, stylised body and horse. 153 grams, 12.5 cm
Fine condition, repaired.
Property of a Dutch gentleman; formerly in an old collection formed in the 1970s. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Greek Bronze Wine Strainer with Swan-Head Handles
4th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £7,000 - 9,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,889
Comprising a shallow bowl and broad flange rim, two integral scalloped handles with lateral scrolled flourishes, each tapering to a S-curved handle with swan-head terminals with incised eye and beak detailing; perforated whirl within roundel to interior base; accompanied by a custom-made display stand with mirror. 402 grams total, 19.7 cm including stand
with Hôtel des ventes de Belfort Sarl, October 2011, no.16. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. 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.12209-222140. 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.
Elaborate gilded strainers, such as this present example, were used at symposia and festive occasions for the purpose of preventing the dregs of wine from entering the wine cup. This and other related silver utensils became popular in the later 4th and 3rd century B.C. These highly decorated wine strainers were fitted with dual handles forming loops in the shape of twisting animals, here a swan. Usually they took the form of a shallow dish complete with four rings of perforations in the centre in order to drain the wine. Strainers of this type were used to separate out sediments which could be found in the thick Greek wine. Examples similar to this one have been found in royal tombs in northern Greece, as well as the tomb of a monarch in Sudan. -
Greek Bronze Ring with Bird
4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £211
Ellipsoid bezel with ribbed underside, drum-shaped with incuse image of a bird standing beside a fountain. 7.83 grams, 25.55 mm overall, 18.89 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.