Thracian Silver Pendant

Discoid mirror with recess to obverse and reverse, each with a looped handle attached to two domed lugs, concentric rings and stepped rim; hinge to lower edge, recessed inner face to one disc and raised equivalent to the other with silvered finish. 305 grams, 12.8 cm



Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JB, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12061-217502.

These kind of mirrors consisted of heavy circular discs with low cylindrical rims. They were made in pairs, and polished (and sometimes silvered) respectively on the recessed and flat sides, the latter being provided with a bevelled edge, into which the other fitted like a cover. Both polished surfaces were thus protected. The unpolished sides were ornamented with concentric-circle ornaments and concentric mouldings.

Comprising a bulbous body and slender tapering neck with strap handle to the rear, trumpet-shaped mouth; hatched bands and lozenges to the body and shoulder, multilinear rings to the neck; old collector's inked no. '15.78' to underside. 254 grams, 15.1 cm



Red-ink inscription '15.78' to the base suggesting it may have been deaccessioned from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 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.

Three-lobed mouth with elongated beak, truncated-conical neck, shoulder with a convex profile, biconical body, low and flat foot, double rod handle set on the mouth and shoulder; small hole below equator. 592 grams, 21 cm high



Showplace Auction Centre, auction 308, lot 174. Property of a South Australian private collector, with collection reference 23.09. Accompanied by detailed collector's catalogue pages including description and photograph.

There is a similar vessel in Collection CA p18 n17 without decoration. The form is the same (height 25cm). Different varieties of it are known depending on the high or short neck, the flattened or globular or ovoid body, the flat or ring-shaped or splayed foot, the ribbon-like handle or the single or multiple rod. The known specimens come from different localities: Narce, Faleri, Bisenzio, Vetulonia, Tarquinia, Volsiniese countryside, upper Fiora valley. For parallel with ribs, see Antikenmuseum Basel + Sammlung Ludwig, p. 19, E 9, Schnabelkanne aus Impasto, first half seventh century, height 22.6cm. The shape of this handmade pot is particularly bold and simple. The few attached ribs, the bar handles brought together at the top, the high neck and the steep, cloverleaf-shaped mouth form ascending lines, but at the same time contribute to the balance of the shape due to their curve. These pots have primarily been found in Bisenzio, where they were probably made.