Roman Marble Head of Dionysus

On a stepped triangular base, bear with head raised, forepaws round the neck of a deer with legs folded beneath the body. 398 grams, 10 cm



Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996). Private collection of Mr K.A. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12398-226600.

Combat between large animals was a popular theme in Roman art. The staging of such fights in the Flavian Amphitheatre in the heart of Rome is evidenced. Furthermore, the 3rd-4th century A.D. mosaic floor unearthed at Lod, Israel, in 1996 shows several scenes with ferocious wild animal - a lion and lioness, an elephant, a giraffe, a rhinoceros, a tiger, and a wild bull - all arranging themselves for a colossal fight to the death. The mosaic was lifted intact and is on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

A mixed group of two hundred and fifty single tesserae of various colours and sizes, mostly cuboid. 337 grams total, 6-12 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Composed of mainly dark blue oblate beads with a central rectangular-section bead, restrung. 14.5 grams, 46 cm



Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s.