Romano-Parthian Bone Idol of a Female

With bulbous body and short neck with thickened rim, low foot with concentric circles to base; the re-affixed handle with an actor's mask to the base and incised petals beneath the thumbpad. 563 grams total, 11.7-15 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00050269. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12397-226686.

Composed of graduated green beads in various shapes, restrung to a Y-shape. 9.52 grams, 37 cm



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

Modelled in the round with three heads facing in different directions, and with a pair of snakes wound round the body as a harness; mounted on a custom-made stand. 77 grams total, 63 mm including stand



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.

In Greek mythology, Cerberus, often referred to as the hound of Hades, was a multi-headed dog that guarded the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. His figure is linked to the myth of Orpheus, the only one who managed to tame him with his songs, and to the myth of Hercules, the only one who managed to capture him.