Tudor Period Ceramic Amphora

Likely after a known Middle Kingdom example; modelled in the round and painted with lotus flower details. 399 grams, 15.5 cm



Prof. Horace Abram Rigg (1909-1978), Cleveland, 1960s. Ex American collection, 2001. with Chiswick Auctions, London, 11 December 2017.

Comprising the upper body of a young female figure, likely the goddess Venus, shrouded in a palla mantle worn over the robe and draped over the head as a hood; the left arm bent to form folds and gatherings in the cloth, the right arm shown beneath the cloth held bent to the right breast. 133 kg, 84 cm high



French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11687-199355.

In Roman mythology, Venus was the goddess of love, sex, beauty and fertility. Married to the god Vulcan, Venus's principal divine lover was Mars, with whom she was famously trapped in bed with a net by Vulcan. The goddess also had numerous mortal lovers - Adonis for example. The earliest known instance of a temple dedicated to Venus was founded on the Aventine Hill in 295 B.C. She is most closely associated with the month of April, the beginning of the season of spring.

Depicting the Virgin Mary with infant Christ at centre, flanked by two nimbate saints with books, one trampling a demon; armorial shield above, church in the background; repaired. 285 grams, 28.5 cm high



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.