Scythian Bronze Ram Mount

Including fragments of tubular neck, rim sherds, basal rings and other items, many with polychrome painted geometric decoration. 8.95 kg total, 1.5-23.5 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.

An elaborate two-tiered necklace composed of granulated pendants, most with a teardrop-shaped breloque suspended below and two with an applied rosette to the centre; interspersed with a selection of gold beads comprising lions, bulls, leopards, a sphinx, and a siren; central feature comprising a bead formed as a man riding a lion(?) flanked by two drops, one with a seated sphinx and the other a stylised fish, both with a teardrop-shaped pendant drop; suspended from a plaited chain, no clasp; repaired. 42.02 grams, 52.5 cm long



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12387-226694.

With globular body, tall tubular neck and flared mouth; circumferential bands of hatching, concentric rings and chevrons; loop handle with thumb-pad spur to the reverse of the neck; plank idol to the shoulder with anthropomorphic detailing to both faces; supplied with a display stand; repaired. 1.68 kg, 37 cm high



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.

Red polished ware was the dominant ware of the Early Bronze Age. The clay was covered with red slip which was then burnished to produce a high point. The Philia red polished ware was characterised by incised multi-zigzag and open herring-bone bands, and also batches of multi-lines on base.