Loading, please wait...
LOT 0311
Scythian Bronze Zoomorphic Openwork Horse Chamfron
4TH CENTURY B.C.
15 1/2 in. (283 grams, 39.5 cm).
The edges formed of opposed curving serpent heads, each pair flanking a central zoomorphic head, possibly representing a horse or a beast; the animals with incised detailing to their bodies and heads; a large horse(?) head to the lower edge with its muzzle forming the point of the chamfron; two loops to the reverse.
ProvenanceFrom the Gorovits family collection, since at least the 1940s.
Private collection, London.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 17178-221462.
Cf. similar elements in Melyukova, A.I., Stepi evropeĭskoy chasti SSSR v skifo-sarmatskoe vremya (Steppes of the European part of the USSR in the Scythian-Sarmatian Period, in Russian), Moscow, 1989; Leskov, A.M., Grabschätze der Adygeen, Munich, 1990; Galanina, L.K., Die Kurgane von Kelermes:“Königsgräber” der frühskythischen Zeit, Moscow, 1997; Kantorovich, A.R., Erlich, V.R., Bronze Molding Art from Adygeian Kurgans, VIII-III centuries B.C., Moscow, 2006, cat.103,105,122; Galanina, L.K., ‘Horse equipment from the collection of Elizabethan antiquities stored in the State Hermitage (excavations of N.I. Veselovsky in years 1914, 1915, 1917, in Russian)’ in АСГЭ. Вып.38. Санкт-Петербург: Государственный Эрмитаж, Saint Petersburg, 2010, pp.107-122.
FootnotesBronze open-worked frontlets like this one were found with horses in the Barrow-mound no.5 of the Ulyap burial-ground in the Kuban basin, and their secure dating to the 4th century B.C. was established by the Thasian amphoras found in the respective graves (nn. 14-15-21, see Leskov, 1990, figs.180,183). The incised decoration of the chamfron finds various parallels both on frontlets from Barrow-Mounds nos. 4/1913 and 4/1917 near Elizavetinskaya Kossack-Village, in Kuban Basin, and from Gyuenos in Abkhazia (Galanina, 2010, pl.7,12). The piece belongs to a rare type of chamfron, known only from finds in the Scythian and Meotian burials of 5th-4th centuries B.C.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Point Group
Circa 12th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Each with a sturdy square-section tang, broad barbed head with midrib. 92 grams total, 15 cm each
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.
Two of these arrowheads seem to belong to the type V, subcategory type C, according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes C and D of type V are larger arrow or javelin heads, C with barbed shoulders. -
Saxon and Roman Iron Military Spur Display
Circa 2nd-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Comprising a Roman U-shaped spur with lateral lugs and prick spur; an Anglo-Saxon iron spur with barley twist body and small terminals. 254 grams total, 82-83 mm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
The Romans employed a light spur (calcar) made of bronze or iron, U-shaped and barely covering the heel. To the rear of the spur was a small point, and this form continued to be in use through the early Medieval period. The Saxon spurs were very similar to the Roman examples, although slightly larger and with a more spiked point. -
.jpg)
Carolingian Iron Spur with Silver Studs
Circa 8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
With D-section arms, attachment loop, prick spur with two bands of applied studs. 150 grams, 18 cm
Ex B Posey collection, 1990s. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by a dealer's catalogue information card.
