Scythian Gold Animal Head Pendant

Hollow-formed bust with arms drawn across the body and right hand cupping the breast; old collector's inked accession number to reverse 'SR.3590/65'; mounted on a custom-made stand. 232 grams total, 14.5 cm including stand



From a family collection mostly formed in the 1940s-1950s, thence by descent.

With stepped foot and two loop handles to the rim, egg-and-dart border; Side A: female in loosely draped chiton holding a dish in her raised left hand and advancing towards an altar, looking to her rear and with her right arm extended; Side B: nude male in similar pose to the female, with mantle draped over his left elbow, gripping a thyrsus, the head wrapped in a band or taenia; volute scroll beneath each handle. 1.74 kg, 34 cm wide



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 search certificate number no.12364-226707.

The thyrsus in the hand of the male figure implies that he is a worshipper of Dionysus, and this impression is strengthened by the casual discarding of his clothing which is draped over his arm. The female may then be interpreted as a Maenad, a member of the group of devotees who accompanied the god and led the celebrations in his worship. A combination of protracted and vigorous dancing combined with wine-drinking led to an ecstatic frenzy in which the god was honoured.

Comprising anthropomorphic, zoomorphic and theriomorphic ceramic figures in various poses, some on a ceramic base. 546 grams total, 6.1-10.5 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.