Auction 85 - Antiquities

ETRUSCAN TERRACOTTA ANTEFIX
Late 6th - early 5th century BC
height cm 50

Very rare complete antefix representing a young woman, Blackish-brown, red and creamy white paint well preserved; in complete and in excellent condition, with few minor chips and the hand reglued. Provenance: English private collection, acquired by the current owner in Germany in 1990s.

GREEK POLCROMY TERRACOTTA HEAD OF A GODDESS
4th - 3rd century BC

height cm 28

Depiction of a Goddess with high polos, probably Persephone, wit the lips slightly open and the contour of the eyes is marked by very deep recesses making the gaze penetrating. The most singular feature from the technical point of view is the rendering of the thick hair, shaped by hand and finished with a splint. Modeled by hand and hollowed out internally, the entire surface is covered with a consistent layer of clayey engobe, as the basis of the precious polychrome coating that is still extraordinarily preserved today. Integrative restorations on polos, on hair and on nape. Provenance: Private collection, London; acquired on the European art market in the 1990s.

GREEK HELLENISTIC TERRACOTTA THEATRICAL MASK

3rd century BC

height cm 12,5; length cm 11

A wonderful small theatrical mask, with traces of the original polychromy. Repaired; a specimen from the same workshop published in Christie's Pinterest. Provenance: English private collection, according to the heirs possibly purchased in some auction or Art Gallery during 1970s-1980s.

GREEK HELLENISTIC TERRACOTTA SACRED YOUNG BULL PROTOME
3rd century BC

height cm 14,5

This beautiful protome of a young bull is characterized by a detailed rendering of the anatomical elements as the horns, the fur and the wrinkles of flesh around the nose and neck. Curiously, two others small horns start from the forehead. Originally it was brightly painted; a missing ear. Provenance: English private collection, according to the heirs possibly purchased in some auction or Art Gallery during 1970s-1980s.

ROMAN TERRACOTTA VOTIVE MALE HEAD
4th - 3rd century BC

height cm 28

Characterized by full cheeks, fleshy lips and drop-shaped eyes; the short hair are bipartite on the forehead and fall over the ear in small and curly locks. Provenance: English private collection, according to the heirs possibly purchased in some auction or Art Gallery during 1970s-1980s and accompanied by a 1970s black and white photograph.

ROMAN TERRACOTTA VOTIVE SWADDLED INFANT
ca. 2nd century BC

height cm 40

Some cracks that don't disfigure its integrity. Provenance: English private collection, Kent; bought in 1990s at Grays Antique Market.

LARGE GROUP OF GREEK TERRACOTTA FRAGMENTS
4th - 2nd century BC


This large lot is composed by a rich group of terracotta fragments, whith interesting specimens producted in Magna Graecia. The lot includes fragments of decorative and votive slab, with the depiction of female arms, in offering attitude, adorned heads of goddess, and pieces related to the cult of Dionysus. Provenance: Collection returned by the German Judicial Authority to Herakles Numismatik und Antiquitäten GmbH (München), who acquired it on the European art market since the 1970s; from 2000s the entire collection is located in the United Kingdom; some objects of this collection were bought subsequently by the Italian Government (e.g.: bari.repubblica.it - Archeologia, torna in Puglia la stele dauna di oltre 2.500 anni fa: presa all'asta con una colletta). Almost all objects need restoration, if well executed will be an excellent investment, also a good exercise for scientific or academic purposes. Lot sold as seen, no returns.

OUTSTANDING CORINTHIAN BRONZE HELMET
650 - 600 BC

height cm 22

Corinthian helmet of a Greek warrior, well preserved and of extraordinary beauty and suggestive power. The helmet is made with a single heavy sheet, of domed form, on which are still preserved crest attachment elements and small holes over the almond-shaped eyes. With an amazing patina from the deep see. Provenance: From a collector-entrepreneur of the past who lived between the US and Europe, bought in the 1980s.

LARGE ETRUSCAN BRONZE KOUROS
Late 6th century BC

height cm 17,5

A solid-cast of archaic taste, with defined pectorals, his hair rendered by incised parallel lines, the face with large almond-shaped eyes, the mouth drawn into a smile, with tenon below for insertion. On the right leg, near the ankle, eroded incised marks, probably an epigraph. Untouched dark green patina. Provenance: From the Schneider collection, Vienna, early 20th century.

ETRUSCAN BRONZE MIRROR
4th - 3rd century BC

diam. cm 13; height (with full stand) cm 18,5

Engraved tang bronze mirror with nude winged lasa advancing left. Nice green patina; missing tang; some cracks on edge. Provenance: English private collection, purchased in 1970s in Paris from Gérard Levy, accompanied by a marked and signed Polaroid.

ARCHAIC BRONZE STATUETTE OF HERAKLES
5th - 4th century BC

height cm 10

A standing Heracles with left leg flexed and slightly advanced; the right arm raised originally helding club; the Nemean lion's skin cloack surrounds his head and wraps around left arm. Some pieces missing, but of excellent style and with an untouched green patina. Provenance: English private collection, acquired by the current owner in Germany before 2000s.

ROMAN BRONZE FIGURE OF A WARRIOR
ca. 3rd - 1st century BC

height (warrior) cm 6,1; max cm 7,7

With a Montefortino Helmet, holding a long Hasta. Untouched brownish patina. Provenance: English private collection, acquired by the current owner in Germany before 2000s.