Villanovan Terracotta Artefact Collection

Comprising a slender hoop and a lentoid bezel with a seated figure playing the panpipes. 2.90 grams, 19.84 mm overall, 16.99 x 15.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

With a narrow neck and a broad rim to the mouth, a short strap handle to the rear; painted concentric rings around the mouth. 212 grams, 75 mm



Private collection, acquired in 1994; thence by descent.

From the 8th century B.C., Corinthian pottery vessels were exported to Greek colonies in South Italy and the coast of Asia Minor. They were used to hold perfumed oil, an essential item for the wealthy middle classes of the time. In Italy, especially in Etruria, local workshops produced imitations of Corinthian vessel types for a clientele of Greek settlers and local populations with a taste for Greek fashions.

With mammiform body, pedestal base and two loop handles; each side with a facing image of an owl between laurel fronds. 239 grams, 17.5 cm



Swiss private collection, assembled in the 1960s-1970s. Private collection, acquired in 2013. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence analysis report no.N126a14 from Oxford Authentication. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12854-241751.

Bubo was the holy beloved magical owl of the goddess Athena, and it was a common subject on Greek painted ceramics. The owl-skyphos, originally produced in 5th century Athens, was extremely popular and was exported from Athens to other parts of the Greek world, including southern Italy and Etruria. Local imitations have been excavated at Corinth, and during the fourth century, or perhaps even slightly earlier, skyphoi similar to those from Athens were produced in Apulia and Etruria.