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Lot 20C: Published Greek Bronze Handle w/ Lion - ex Christie's

Est: $3,000 USD - $6,000 USDPassed
Artemis GalleryLouisville, CO, USAugust 22, 2019

Item Overview

Description

Greece, Classical Period, ca. 480 to 450 BCE. A handsome cast bronze handle from an oinochoe terminating in a skillfully rendered lion head at the lower end - wild feline's visage presented in frontal view with perky rounded ears, almond-shaped eyes, a pronounced snout, and a thick, wavy, radiating mane. The upper end presents a spool-shaped thumbrest. Lions are often the stars of ancient Greek stories, such as the Nemean lion, and it is probable that the sculptor of this piece saw lions in real life: Aristotle and Herodotus tell us that lions lived in the Balkans and Greece until around the 1st century BCE! Size: 4.375" H (11.1 cm); 5.75" H (14.6 cm) on included custom stand.

In the classical world, lions symbolized power, wealth, and might. They were famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Hercules (Greek Herakles) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labor. That lion's fur was believed to be impenetrable to attacks since according to legend it was made of gold and its claws were far sharper than swords with the power to slice through armor. In the end, Hercules defeated the lion by strangling it and wore its skin.

Lions were also favorite iconography for buildings, coins, and statues in the ancient world. Examples include the Lion Gate to the Citadel of Mycenae, the Terrace of the Lions on the island of Delos, and the lion hunt mosaic from Pella featuring Alexander engaged in a lion hunt.

Published in A.P. Kozloff, ed., "Animals in Ancient Art from the Leo Mildenberg Collection," Cleveland, 1981, nos. 113 and 115.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Bonhams, London, Knightsbridge Antiquities auction (September 30, 2014, lot 377); ex-Christie's, New York Antiquities auction (sale 2605, December 5, 2012, lot 23); ex-private Midwestern American collection; ex-Christie's, London "A Peaceable Kingdom: The Leo Mildenberg Collection" auction (sale 7017, October 26-27, 2004, lot 305); ex-Leo Mildenberg collection, acquired prior to 1981

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#147834

Artist or Maker

Condition Report

Minute loss to right front side of bear's face and upper left terminal. Otherwise excellent with well-preserved details and gorgeous green patina.

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

Auction Details

Fine Ancient | Asian | Ethnographic Art

by
Artemis Gallery
August 22, 2019, 07:00 AM PST

686 S. Taylor Ave., #108, Louisville, CO, 80027, US

Terms

Buyer's Premium

24.5%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$299$25
$300$999$50
$1,000$1,999$100
$2,000$4,999$250
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000$19,999$1,000
$20,000$49,999$2,500
$50,000$99,999$5,000
$100,000$199,999$10,000
$200,000+$20,000

Antiquities, Pre-Columbian & Tribal Art

Please read the following "Terms of Sale" carefully. These terms are applicable to all bidders in this auction, collectors and dealers alike.

1. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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3. HIGH and LOW ESTIMATES are provided for each lot for reference only. All lots will be offered without any hidden / confidential reserve, meaning the highest bidder wins.

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In the event of an error in item description, condition report, provenance, or dimensions, written notification of the error must be given within two business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. A full refund, including item price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided. Artemis Gallery will either provide a pre-paid return shipping label or will reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Gallery will only remit refund after the item has been returned.

If a return is requested for any reason other than the above, written notification with reason for return must be given within 15 days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data for Artemis Gallery to issue a refund to the original payment method. If notification is given after 15 days, the item may be returned for credit toward a future purchase or may be consigned for sale through Artemis Gallery. The item must be returned to Artemis Gallery at the buyer's expense and a refund or credit of the item price and buyer's premium (if applicable) will be provided after the item is returned. Original shipping charges will not be refunded.

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Shipping Terms

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense