Scythian Bronze Antelope Mount

Of square shape, used for making various jewellery elements: small circles, ear-drop pendants, rosettes with striated lines and locating holes on the surface. 114 grams, 63 mm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

Plaques of this type were half of a mould for small objects such as ribbed bobbin-shaped or spherical beads or crescent-shaped pendants. They must have been made for casting, judging by the pouring channels and the circular holes for fixing it to another corresponding half. Ribbed globular and ‘grain of wheat’ gold beads were common in Cyprus and Crete. Similar moulds with pouring channels have been found in the Near East, while open moulds intended for glass ornaments with flat backs have been found in the Aegean.

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.

Mixed group of vessels including biconvex bowl, drum-shaped jar and other types, some with painted ornament. 2.3 kg total, 7.4-20 cm



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.