Loading, please wait...
LOT 0050
Scythian Decorated Gold Bell
1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
1 7/8 in. (19.47 grams, 48 mm).
A sheet-gold bell, domed with a rolled rim and vent at the apex; decorative band above the rim with reserved lozenges on a pounced field each with an impressed dimple to the centre; crack to one side.
ProvenanceAcquired early 1990s.
Ex private American collection; thence by descent.
Private Swiss collection since 1998.
See Makhortykh, S., Bronze bells of the 7th –6th century BC from the Scythian burial – mounds in the south of Eastern Europe, in СТАРОДАВНЄ ПРИЧОРНОР΄Я, vol.11, Odessa, 2016, for discussion.
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.
LOT 0050
Scythian Decorated Gold Bell
Estimate £1,000 - 1,400€1,160 - 1,620 (for guidance only)$1,350 - 1,890 (for guidance only)
-
Graeco-Roman Gold Crab Amulet
2nd century B.C-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £191
A hollow-formed gold amulet of a crab with socketted claws above, pierced for attachment. 0.85 grams, 11.5 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970s-1980s. Ex UK collection. Property of a Portsmouth, UK gentleman. -
Campanian Red-Figure Bail Amphora from a Cumae Workshop
330-300 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680
A ceramic red-figure bail amphora with round-section strap handle and pierced lug at the apex, tall waisted neck with vertical rib detailing, rounded shoulder with running wave pattern ornament, tapering body with figural designs of standing females wearing a himation and a stephane in red and white on black ground, one figure holding a thyrsus and the other an ear of corn, with accessories in the field; flared base; from a workshop in Cumae. 862 grams, 37 cm high
Ex collection H.& P. Payot, Clarens, by descent. 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.11577-199027. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.QED2223/SG0-0105 from QED Laboratoire.
The bail amphora, named for the tall handle arching over the mouth, was a shape made primarily in Campania, where red-figure vases were produced at both Capua and Cumae in the 4th century B.C. The decoration offered a remarkable range of subjects associated not only with mythological images, but with representations of the local life, costumes and customs. The simple, single figure compositions decorating each side of this vase are also characteristic of the style, which tended to avoid complex mythological scenes often found on much larger vessels like volute craters, favouring representation of the daily life of south Italic people. -
Greek Red-Figure Hydria with Fighting Between Amazons and Greek or Trojan Heroes
4th century B.C.Estimate: £8,000 - 10,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £4,000
A red-figure terracotta hydria with mythological scene, the vessel with integral round-section upward facing handles, a third, round-section handle placed vertically between shoulder and upper neck to rear; laurel sprigs to the neck with traces of gilding; combat scene with Amazons (and Trojans?) below, armed with short swords and crescent shields, most wearing an exomis leaving the shoulder and one breast uncovered; volute palmettes below both side handles, a panel of tiered and swirling volutes to the rear, all on a band of egg-moulding, repeated around the rim; possibly Apulian or Campanian; restored. 3 kg, 46 cm high
Ex collection Woodyat, Rome, Italy, 1912. with Vente Genève, 24 & 25 June 1960. Private European collection. 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.11581-199028.
The mythological topic of this hydria is fascinating, representing the fight between Amazons and Greek or Trojan heroes (suggested by the central cavalryman wearing a Phrygian cap). During this period, Amazons were no longer represented as Persian or Scythian warriors, as in Attic red-figure ceramics, but depicted as athletic parthenoi and wearing chitons. Rather than the oriental costume and armour, the Amazons wear a short exomis with a bare shoulder and breast (Patten, 2013, PI.VI, I, VI,2, 2 and 3).