ASTA 106 - ANTIQUITIES

APULIAN GNATHIA-WARE CHOUS
Late 4th century BC
height cm 12,5

Decorated with a continuous vine branch on the body and near the rim, from which two leaves fall; on center, a candelabrum with an oil lamp on the top.

Provenance. Private collection, London; acquired in Geneva from Alara gallery on 1990s.

COUPLE OF APULIAN GNATHIA-WARE EPICHYSIDES
Late 4th century BC
height max cm 20

Provenance. Private collection, London; acquired in Geneva from Alara gallery on 1990s.

COUPLE OF APULIAN GNATHIA-WARE KYLIKES
Late 4th century BC
diam. max cm 10; height max cm 7,7

Provenance. Private collection, London; acquired in Geneva from Alara gallery on 1990s.

COUPLE OF APULIAN GNATHIA-WARE 'NET' BOTTLES
Late 4th century BC
height max cm 14

Provenance. Private collection, London; acquired in Geneva from Alara gallery on 1990s.

APULIAN BLACK-GLAZED GUTTUS
ca. 300 BC
height cm 12

With a fronting head of a bearder Satyr in the central tondo.
Intact, with minor cooking cracks.

Provenance. Private collection, London; acquired in Geneva from Alara gallery on 1990s.

CANOSAN TRIPLE SPOUTS ASKOS
Listata III Phase, ca. 300 - 250 BC
height cm 41

The body is embellished with finely executed bands of vegetal ornament; at the bottom, fish, starfish and cuttlefish. There is a Greek dedication painted on the rim, difficult to translate, but probably referable to a donary.
Clearly restored, with big lacks.

Provenance. Private collection, London; acquired on the art market in the 1980s.

AFRICAN RED SLIP HEAD-FLASK
North Africa, near the style of Navigius's workshop, ca. AD 300 - 350
height cm 25,5

A girl with large almond-shaped eyes with impressed pupils, and incised details of the lashes and brows, wearing a diamond-shaped pendant between the eyebrows, her hair pulled up in a central top-knot and dressed in horizontal ridges around the top of the head, the funnel spout emerging from the top of the head, with an handle at the back.
Minor cracks and abrasions; some encrustations.

Provenance. From the collection of a Diplomatic since 1980s.

ETRUSCAN BRONZE KOUROS STATUETTE
ca. 530 - 510 BC
height cm 17,5

A large male statuette of archaic taste, with defined pectorals, hair rendered by incised parallel lines, the face with large almond-shaped eyes, the mouth drawn into a smile; and a tenon below for insertion.
Untouched dark green patina, resemblig to that of the votive deposits found in 1869 in Fonte Veneziana (Arezzo, Tuscany).

Provenance. English private collection; said coming from the Viennese family Schneider collection, formed since the early 20th century.

ETRUSCAN BRONZE PLAQUE
ca. 500 - 480 BC
cm 45 x 7

Part of a furniture, vehicle or door fitting. At both ends of the slab, is the specular figure of winged Lasa, with a chiton and pointy shoes, striding moving holding a wreath in her hands. Similar Etruscan bronze plaques, but from the Archaic period, also in the Edward Perry Warren collection in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (cf. Greek, Etruscan & Roman Bronzes in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1971, no. 690).

Provenance. English private collection; said to be part of the Ferenc Pulszky sale, Paris, May 1868.

ETRUSCAN BRONZE PLAQUE
ca. 500 - 480 BC
cm 17 x 16

Part of a furniture, vehicle or door fitting. Showing Turms - Hermes, winged, draped and wearing winged sandals, striding moving to left in a field of flowers, holding a wreath. Similar Etruscan bronze plaques, but from the Archaic period, also in the Edward Perry Warren collection in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (cf. Greek, Etruscan & Roman Bronzes in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1971, no. 690).

Provenance. English private collection; said to be part of the Ferenc Pulszky sale, Paris, May 1868.

ETRUSCAN BRONZE PLAQUE
ca. 500 - 480 BC
cm 14 x 10

Part of a furniture, vehicle or door fitting. Interesting scene, probably referable to the birth of Menrva - Minerva: the little goddess, born from the head of Tinia - Jupiter, is depicted in a small size, between two adults, probably Tinia himself, enthroned, and Sethlans - Vulcan, standing. Similar Etruscan bronze plaques, but from the Archaic period, also in the Edward Perry Warren collection in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (cf. Greek, Etruscan & Roman Bronzes in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1971, no. 690).

Provenance. English private collection; said to be part of the Ferenc Pulszky sale, Paris, May 1868.

ITALIC BRONZE STATUETTE OF HERAKLES
5th - 4th centuries BC
height cm 16

The hero is rapresented standing on a rectangular stand part of the original cast, brandishing a club, with the Nemean lion's skin on the left arm. Great attention to the minor details.
Untouched green patina.

Provenance. English private collection; purchased in Austria in the late 1960s.

GREEK VOLUTE-KRATER BRONZE HANDLE
ca. 500 - 450 BC
height cm 30 (without stand)

Characterized by the fine articulate structure, composed by volutes spaced out by stylized palmette and the lower terminals assume typical swans' heads shape. Close comparisons in the British Museum (1865,0103.43 volute-krater probably from Tarentum; cf. Catalogue of the Bronzes in the British Museum. Greek, Roman & Etruscan, London 1899, no. 258) and in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (volute-krater found at Spongano, near Vaste, South Italy; cf. Greek, Etruscan & Roman Bronzes in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1971, no. 441).
Light patina, likely from the sea.

Provenance. English private collection; purchased in Germany in the early 2000s.

ROMAN BRONZE CIRCULAR BREAD STAMP
1st - 2nd centuries AD
diam. cm 6; height (with handle) cm 4,4

During the Roman era, bakeries were required to stamp their bread with an individual seal in order to trace the source of the loaves and to prevent fraud or theft of imperial supplies. This stamp was property of the freedman T. Albius (T. ALBI L.), and has as baker's symbol a rudder on the centre.

Provenance. English private collection, acquired before 2000.

GREEK ATTIC MARBLE HEAD OF A WOMAN
Early 4th century BC
height (head) cm 31; height (stand) cm 12; length cm 17 x 17

Larger than life-size Attic Pentelic 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 tool (or tooth chisel) and the oxide of an iron pin. The state of preservation is impressive, similar to that of the Elgin Marbles. Provided with a museal stand.

Published. Oliver Forge, Brendan Lynch: The Ancient World. From Mesopotamia to Coptic Egypt, London 30 June - 7 July 2017, n. 37.

Provenance. English private collection; purchased from Godson & Coles in 2002.

ROMAN MARBLE PORTRAIT OF A MATRON
Julio-Claudian Period, 1st century BC - 1st century AD
height cm 25, without stand

The Roman lady (Matrona) is represented with the oval face characterized by rounded chin and slightly-full lips. The eyes are framed by thin modelled brows, arching gracefully and merging with the bridge of her nose. On the short forehead, the wavy hairs are center parted, with the individual strands delineated, which are elegantly pulled back to the nape, in origin probably collected in a chignon. The head is rendered with great restraint and an admirable mixture of realistic and idealized forms, recalling the expressions of beauty in vogue during the late Augustan time and the first decades of Julio-Claudian period. Provided with a museal stand.

Provenance. English private collection, purchased from Sotheby’s London, 10-11 December 1992 sale, lot 490.

ROMAN GREY MARBLE STATUE OF A SLEEPING GIRL
Mid - end 2nd century AD
length m 1.13

Nude, with eyelids ajar, in an deep slumber; a drapery surrounds the head, descending and wrapping around the body under the soft belly. Exotic features, evocative of North Africa; however the hairstyle refers to those of the Antonine Dynasty, such as Faustina Major. We don't know whether it represent a sarcophagus lid or a stand-alone sculpture, we only know that this sleeping girl statue was loved in the past, because of the numerous restorations and reconsideration: an iron rod at the feet to reinforce - the armilla on the right arm sculpted at a later point - the hole in the ear realized for a lost metal or glass earring - the upper part of the head restored in antique with a sculpted portion of Parian marble.

Provenance. English private collection; purchased from Ghassan T. Rihani, Amman - London (with a photocopied invoice dated 2 July 1987).

ROMAN MARBLE HOUND
1st - 2nd centuries AD
height cm 42,5, cm 47 with Iron support

The hound, probably male one, is realised seated, upright. The animal is naturalistically carved, as visible by its body slendered powerful, with visibly defined rib-cage. Provided with an iron museal stand.

Provenance. English private collection; already in the collection of Mr. U.C., started during 1950s in Belgium.

ROMAN ALABASTER LABRUM
1st - 2nd centuries AD
diam. cm 108; height cm 22

A labrum is a large circular basin for cold water in the caldarium or hot room of a Roman bath complex; they were made of marble in order to maintain a cool water temperature. This specimen was carved from a single block of precious Egyptian "Cotognino" Alabaster. The flattened lip has the traces of three rectangular recesses for the insertion of metal clamps; on the outer edge of the hemispherical tub, is a rectangular recess "L" shaped, sculpted for the insertion of an additional metal clamp. On the bottom, presumably in a later period were engraved the letters BR. The condition of the present example indicates wear from water over a significant length of time; one restoration is on the lip. Close comparisons of "Forma II" shape specimens in A. Ambrogi, "Labra di età Romana in marmi Bianchi e colorati", Roma 2005, pp. 75-79.

Exhibited. Biennial of Art of Rome, 2014; TEFAF, Maastricht, 2015.

Provenance. Italian private collection, changes of ownership documented since 1980; currently in Milan and provided with export license.

ROMAN MARBLE MODEL OF A TEMPLE PODIUM
2nd - 3rd centuries AD
height cm 15; long sides length cm 21,5

A model of a Temple Podium, likely the stand belonging to a cult image perhaps linked to the sea; with a frontal staircase, dolphins and sea monsters on sides.

Provenance. English private collection; already in the collection of Mr. U.C., started during 1950s in Belgium.

ROMAN-LEVANTINE BASALT ALTAR WITH HELIOPOLITAN DEITIS
2th – 3rd centuries AD
height cm 40, without wooden stand

On each side a portrayal of deity: Apollo Helios, nimbate and radiate; a female head that reminds the Syrian goddess Aphrodite - Astarte; a diademed bearded man with short wavy hair, probably resembling to Zeus Helios; finally Tyche, with turret crown. The whole enriched by repetition of symmetrical couple of stylized phytomorphic elements. A sacre altar of the Roman Province of Syria, an extremely rare specimen, maybe the only one in private hand, beautiful example of the Roman-Oriental Religious syncretism.

Provenance. In the collection of an Italian Noble family since 1980s; returned by the Italian Judicial Authority to the owner; sold with an export licence issued by the Republic of Italy.

ROMAN MARBLE GRAVESTONE
3rd - 4th centuries AD
height cm 37; length cm 38; wide cm 3,5

Tombstone of Flavia, dedicated by the freedwoman Eutychia: [Fla]via T(iti) Flavi Papi/ [...]rni Athenodori / lib(erta) Eutychia fec(it) / sibi et L(ucio) Publicio / Hermoluc(o) coniugi / lib(eris) III Flaviae / post(eris) eo(rum) / in fr(onte) p(edes) XXXIV in agro p(edes) XXV.
Made in Roman time reusing an oldest marble threshold; with an old-collection patina and various plaster restorations.

Published. Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss / Slaby: EDCS-79600107.

Provenance. English private collection, acquired by the current owner in Munich in 1990s.

COLLECTION OF ATTIC BLACK-FIGURE, CORINTHIAN AND ETRUSCO-CORINTHIAN POTTERY
7th - 6th centuries BC

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.

COLLECTION OF APULIAN RED-FIGURE POTTERY
4th - 3rd centuries BC

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.