Scythian Gold Appliqué

Naturalistically modelled in repoussé as the mature and frowning face of the god Silenus; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 9.4 grams, 37 mm (160 grams total, 98 mm high including stand)



Ex old English collection. London art market, 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11849-207741.

In Greek mythology, Silenus was a god of the forest, associated with musical creativity, ecstatic dance and drunkenness. He was also a prophet and a bearer of dire wisdom. When the god Dionysus was born from the thigh of Zeus, Hermes took the infant to live with Silenus, where he was raised together with local nymphs in a cave on mount Nysa. Silenus was frequently present in the train of Dionysus, fought with the latter against the giants, and accompanied him on his adventures.

Modelled in the round perched on a discoid base with mounting lug to the underside; the stylised owl with large circular eyes with simple beak and feather detailing, pecked texture to the base; accompanied by a custom-made wooden display stand. 89 grams total, 70 mm high including stand



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

Arched bow with a central bulb and ribbed collar, integral pin and large catch-plate. 93 grams, 99 mm



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

The function of the catch-plate fibulae was utilitarian and decorative, they were used for woollen clothing (Herodotus V, 87) and they have been found in houses, tombs and as votive offerings in sanctuaries. Our fibula is an early type, very often found in the graves of the Greek colonies of Southern Italy and widespread in the Magna Graecia. This typology was introduced there by the Greeks. Like all female fibulae, it functioned as a clothing fastener, usually worn as a pair on each shoulder.