Auction 85 - Antiquities

GREEK HELLENISTIC BLACK-GLAZED PINE CONE MOULDED JUG
South Italy, 4th century BC

height cm 8,5, diam. cm 6,5

Intact. Provenance: Property of a gentleman; acquired on the European art market between 1980s and 1990s

ROMAN “DRESSEL 2-4” TYPE AMPHORA
1st century BC - 1st century AD

height (amphora) cm 102; height (with stand) cm 107; diam. cm 12,5

Its production was located in central Tyrrhenian area and in Spain and documents the growth of the wine trade within the Roman Provinces. Intact; on the shoulder a small circular stamp with the letter D. The encrustations visible on the vessel’s surface are caused by centuries of wear in the marine environment. Provenance: From a collector-entrepreneur of the past who lived between the US and Europe, bought in the 1980s.

ROMAN “GAULOISE” TYPE AMPHORA
2nd - 3rd century AD

height (amphora) cm 59; height (with stand) cm 73; diam. cm 11

Restored by fragments, with few missing pieces. The encrustations visible on the vessel’s surface are caused by centuries of wear in the marine environment. Provenance: From a collector-entrepreneur of the past who lived between the US and Europe, bought in the 1980s.

ROMAN GLASS RIBBED BOWL
1st -3rd century AD

height cm 4,5; diam. cm 15,3

Beautiful ribbed bowl of a trasparent bluish-green glass, with sporadic iridescence. Intact. Provenance: English private collection, purchased from Pierre J. Farrah in Beyrouth on 28 December 1960 and accompanied by an old photograph showing it.

ROMAN OIL LAMP WITH GLADIATORS
1st - 2nd century AD

length cm 9,5

Provenance: English private collection, according to the heirs possibly purchased in some auction or Art Gallery during 1970s-1980s.

ROMAN MULTINOZZLED OIL LAMP
2nd - 3rd century AD

height cm 10,5; length cm 14,5

Characterized by multiples nozzles. A moulded decoration is arranged on the surface; the depiction is complex and probably it is the representation of Europa’s myth. Intact. Provenance: English private collection, according to the heirs possibly purchased in some auction or Art Gallery during 1970s-1980s.

AFRICAN RED SLIP OIL LAMP WITH PALM TREE
4th - 6th century AD

height cm 4,5; length cm 11,3

Intact and with the manufactures name on rear. Provenance: From the collection of a Diplomatic family since 1980s.

AFRICAN RED SLIP FLASK
Workshop of Navigius, 270 - 320 AD

height cm 25,5; diam. cm 5,5

Roman mould-made flask, in a shape of a young man head. Great attention to the details, as visible from the hairs and eyebrown. Some scattered cracks and abrasions. Provenance: From the collection of a Diplomatic family since 1980s.

BYZANTINE AMPHORA
5th - 7th century AD

height cm 57; diam. cm 14

Characterized by loop handles and by a bullet-like shape, with deeply incised ridges around the all body. This type is widespread in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Black Sea. The encrustations visible on the vessel’s surface are caused by centuries of wear in the marine environment. Provenance: From a collector-entrepreneur of the past who lived between the US and Europe, bought in the 1980s.

CYCLADIC MARBLE KANDILA

Early Cyladic I, ca. 3200 - 2700 BC

height cm 20; diam. cm 10

The kandila is characterized by: the trunconical neck fitted with a small rounded lip; the bulbous body with a narrow and flat shoulder; the triangular shaped foot; four small vertical handles with holes, which served to suspend and/or transport the container with a cord. Repaired. Provenance: English private collection, with a declaration of Elie Borowski, Basel 30th November 1972.

CYCLADIC MARBLE BEAKER
Early Cyladic I, ca. 3200 - 2700 BC

height cm 16; diam. cm 12

It was designed for suspension and intended as a liquid container. The beaker is one of the most elegant vessel forms developed by Cycladic manufacturing. The vessel is intact, with only some abrasions. Provenance: English private collection, with a declaration of Elie Borowski, Basel 30th November 1972.

GREEK ATTIC MARBLE HEAD OF A WOMAN
4th century BC

height (head) cm 31; height (stand) cm 12; length cm 17 x 17

Larger than life-size Attic marble female head, perhaps of a goddess. The oval is elongated, with full cheeks and round chin. Eyes and eyelids are delicately molded, creating the effect of a deep gaze and a feeble smile. The forehead is framed by fine and soft locks tied back, that allow us to glimpse the ears. The face is partially damaged by ancient injuries: an ancient restoration made on back and top of the head is still visible through the traces of the Gradina (or tooth chisel) and the oxide of an iron pin. Published in the catalogue: Oliver Forge, Brendan Lynch: The Ancient World. From Mesopotamia to Coptic Egypt, London 30 June - 7 July 2017, n. 37. Provenance: English private collection; bought from Godson & Coles, London, 2002; acquired from a regional auction where it had been consigned for sale from a deceasede's estate, it is said owned by an English noble family who preferred to remain anonymous, descendant of a contemporary Lord Elgin's archaeologist.