Scythian Bronze Galloping Stag Mount

Bulbous bodied with a rounded base, slender cylindrical neck, trumpet-shaped rim and integral handle, decorated with incised circumferential bands, hatched triangles and chevrons; accompanied by an acrylic display base. 388 grams, 18 cm high



Acquired in the 1990s. From the deceased estate of a North Yorkshire private collector, UK. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Red burnished-ware pottery became the dominant pottery ware lasting into the Middle Bronze Age on the island of Cyprus. Vessels were handmade and covered with a slip, which was burnished and often decorated with patterns incised with a sharp cutting edge before being fired. Potters were able to produce vessels that were either mottled or painted in two colours, often red outside and black inside and on the exterior of the rim.

Each composed of a penannular body with stylised snake head terminals; each accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 52.4 grams total, 64 mm each (119 grams total, 82 mm high including stand)



UK art market, 2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by searcher certificate no. 201181.

The bracelets belong to the type with zoomorphic terminals, probably representing snake’s heads or dragons emerging from flat rectangular strips with incised decoration and continued as lobed bodies resembling stylised palm leaves or palmettes. This Thracian tradition is attested in the ancient kingdom of Dacia.

Comprising a variety of sheet-gold leaf types, including leaves still attached to the diadem frame. 31 grams total, 0.4-10.6 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.