Tudor 'Thames' Clothes Fastener Collection

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.

Modelled in the round with swishing tail forming a loop, engraved anatomical and facial detailing; hollow-formed. 20.8 grams, 36 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Painted onto bone china in polychrome and gilt, showing the ruler facing, dressed in royal attire. 27 grams total, 64 mm high (82 x 82 mm including box)



Acquired by the vendor's father on the UK art market, before 1990.

Naser al-Din Shah Qajar was the fourth Shah of Qajar, and the third longest reigning ruler in Iranian history. He was assassinated in Tehran on 1st May 1896. He is known for being the first modern Persian monarch to have formally visited Europe and to have written about his travels in his memoirs.