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LOT 0103
Scythian Gold Ring with Pair of Stags
CIRCA 6TH CENTURY B.C.
1 1/2 in. (7.59 grams, 38.13 mm overall, 18.63 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)).
Comprising a broad hoop of gold filigree ropework with wire borders, applied filigree rosette to underside; rectangular plaque with band of filigree loops to both long edges, applied filigree meander to centre; two hollow-formed model stags' heads each with applied filigree meander to both sides of the neck and to the spine, filigree and granule facial and other features, filigree antlers; disc dangle and filigree shank and hoop attaching to right stag's head.
ProvenancePrivate collection formed in Europe in the 1980s.
Westminster collection, central London, UK.
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.12355-225025.
Cf. Marshall, F.H., Catalogue of the Jewellery, Greek, Etruscan and Roman, in the Department of Antiquities, British Museum, London, 1911, items 1166, 1228-1230, for type of jewellery with similar rosettes and filigree work; similar forms of rosette and filigree work in gold jewellery of the period in Despini, A., Greek Art. Ancient Gold Jewellery, Athens, 1996, e.g. pl.5, p.52 (earring with identical rosette); see also Castor, A.Q., ‘Archaic Greek Earrings: An interim survey’ in Archäologischer Anzeiger, 2008,1, pp.1-34.
FootnotesThe presence of stags on the ring is a clear reference to the cult of Artemis, the hunting goddess, whose favourite animal was the deer. A particular cult of Artemis was celebrated at Brauron, in Attica. According to some stories, this was the place where Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, was sacrificed to the goddess after Agamemnon offended the goddess by killing one of her sacred stags.
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