PRESS RELEASE Auction 239 June 16, 2016, Preliminary Report. Ancient art of its finest at Gorny & Mosch

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PRESS RELEASE Auction 239 June 16, 2016, Preliminary Report Ancient art of its finest at Gorny & Mosch Enchanting bronze statuettes, elegant jewelry, collections of terracotta statuettes and clay

1 PRESS RELEASE Auction 239 June 16, 2016, Preliminary Report Ancient art of its finest at Gorny & Mosch Enchanting bronze statuettes, elegant jewelry, collections of terracotta statuettes and clay tiles, supplemented by a large batch of Classicistic cameos: Auction Gorny & Mosch 239 Ancient Art has much to offer. On June 16, 2016, the time will have come again: auction house Gorny & Mosch is under the banner of ancient art. This time, the auction sale will kick off with a couple of bronze statuettes, of which several are truly enchanting. We would like to highlight a small sphinx, made in Greece around 500 B. C. (estimate: 20,000 euros), a drinking Gaul with a moustache hanging down, produced in the 1st or the 2nd century A. D. (estimate: 5,000 euros), or a Hellenistic Molosser dog with a naturalistic appearance who once formed part of a kline s decoration (estimate: 1,800 euros). Yet these objects are slightly outshone by the magnificent bronze sculptures as they are only rarely encountered. They include a remarkable Roman balsamarium dating from the 1st and the 2nd centuries A. D. which measures almost 30 centimeters in height and is shaped like a grotesque boxer with an oversize genital (estimate: 120,000 euros). Much more elegant is the roughly 20cm high Roman Lar from the 1st cent. B. C. who used to be placed in a lararium, standing watch over the fate of a family (estimate: 30,000 euros). These are by no means all of the small and great highlights of this auction. No matter if a collector looks for objects in the lower three-digit regions or can invest as high as six-digits sums, in Auction 239 he will find something to his liking. An Etruscan mirror from the 4th century with the detailed depiction of an ill-matched amorous couple (estimate: 12,000 euros), a small number of helmets, including a Chalcidian helmet from the Hellenistic era, which still exhibits traces of its former tin coating (estimate: 25,000 euros), a pair of Roman greaves which as is testified by an inscription once belonged to a soldier of Legio VII Claudia (estimate: 18,000 euros), and much more will attract the attention of every collector and investor interested in ancient art. With 125,000 euros the highest appraisal in this auction has been made for an object from the 5th cent. B. C. The highly decorated gold metal fitting once served as adornment of the gorytos of a Scythian ruler. A larger group of terracotta statuettes is most likely to be of interest to those who aim at paying a moderate price for a testimony of ancient taste. One such testimony is a Hellenistic sculpture that was made around the 2nd cent. B. C. which brings the Greek theater to life. The tragic actor wears a mask that deprives him of any kind of individuality (estimate: 600 euros). 1

2 Even less money must be invested by the collector who gets himself one of the small clay tiles of which Auction 239 offers a batch. Only 200 euros is the estimate of a tile that was produced for Roman Mogontiacum (Mainz) in 97 A. D., while a tile from Carnuntum will start at its estimated 300 euros. And if you are interested in acquiring a mill game that had been cut into a tile by perhaps two bored legionaries you may do so in this auction sale: its estimate amounts to 500 euros. The distant past, however, is not the only era from which the connoisseur discovers precious objects. Gorny & Mosch will auction off a large number of modern cameos, suitable not just for collecting but likewise wearing. The highlight constitutes a golden necklace, with 26 intaglios, that was made by the circle of Alessandro Castellani in Italy around It mainly consists of ancient pieces, supplemented by some modern ones, all of which were individually mounted and combined to form a tight necklace (estimate: 17,000 euros). Around 1780 an armlet was made which combines seven intaglios dating from the 16th and 17th century (estimate: 9,000 euros). Whether rings, tie-pins and brooches for many centuries, ancient models were adopted for modern jewelry. As part of Auction 239, wonderfully worked testimonies of the Classicistic admiration of antiquity are waiting to be discovered. To name only one example: a cameo, mounted in modern times, featuring the portrait of Lady Hamilton, made by a member of the Naples-based Pichler dynasty of gem cutters. By the way, Lady Hamilton was the mistress of British Admiral Lord Nelson and famous for posing as living image in privately-held sessions (estimate: 6,200 euros). A work of the very dynasty is imitated by a cornelian intaglio which shows Artemisia who mourns for her husband Mausolos (estimate: 3,000 euros). Many of the pieces on offer were mounted by the Berlin-based gold smith Jens Schleede (*1935), and stem from an auction conducted by Sotheby s in 1992 during which a collection was auctioned off that had been assembled by a Russian prince prior to Another piece a cornelian gem with a depiction of Diana and a nymph (estimate: 1,800 euros) once formed part of the collection of Polish Prince Stanislas Poniatowski, a nephew of the one famous Poniatowski whom his mistress, the Russian Tsarina, had made King of Poland. His descendant had published a lavishly illustrated catalog of his collection which was auctioned off by Christie s in

3 As usual, the lots will conclude the auction. Almost 130 numbers constitute of beautiful little objects that certainly will be an asset to a collection without costing its owner too much money. Estimates start at 150 euros. Here, we would like to highlight a fine collection of small terracotta heads a 19th-century traveler brought home as a souvenir. The former owner had been granted a stipend from the Munich University for travelling to Italy and Greece. During his trip in 1886/7, he bought the 33 pieces that range in date from the 6th cent. B. C. to the 3rd cent. A. D. The pre-sale estimate of this convolute is 500 euros. The catalog can be viewed on the internet at Gorny & Mosch would also be happy to provide you with a printed catalog. Please request your copy at Gorny & Mosch, Giessener Münzhandlung,, D Munich, phone +49 / (0)89 / , telefax +49 / (0)89 / The next auction of Ancient Art is scheduled for December Consignments are accepted until September No. 2: Bronze figure of a Lar with rhyton and phiale on a decorative pedestal. Early Roman Imperial Period, 1st century A.D. Attractive patina and very good style, intact. Ex Gorny & Mosch 154, 2006, 17. Estimate: 30,000,- euros No. 59: Bronze applique from a kline with the head of a dog turning his head. Hellenistic Period, 2nd - 1st century B.C. Redbrown patina, intact. Ex K.K. Collection, Great Britain, 1950ies. Estimate: 1,800,- euros No. 81: Two Roman greaves with tinning and chased decoration. They are parts of an equipment for a parade of an infantryman or trooper. The following description top-down. 1: Inscription LEG VII C F; portico; helmeted Mars under an arch with shield and spear; eagle with wreath between standards; helmeted Minerva under an arch with shield and spear; Capricorn. 2. Inscription LEG VII C F; portico; to left helmeted Minerva und an arch with shield and spear, to right helmeted Mars under an arch with shield and cloak; two rows with circle decor; eagle with wreath; two rows with circle decor; satyr with lagobolon; portico; capricorn. 2nd - 3rd century A.D. Both greaves have reattached eyes. The rims are partially replaced and restored. The second greave is cracked at the top rim. From John Moore Collection, Yorkshire, England, since 1973 in his collection. Estimate: 18,000,- euros 3

4 No. 86: Bronze balsamarium in form of a boxing dwarf with enormous penis. An omega-shaped handle is attached at the shoulders. The moveable lid is part of the hair. Roman Imperial Period, 1st - 2nd century A.D. Handle and penis reattached, complete. Inherited from the P.P. Collection, formerly Vienna, since 1990ies. Bought there at the local art market. Estimate: 120,000,- euros No. 193: Attic red-figure pelike, Villa Giulia Painter or his Circle B.C. On side A the two muses Euterpe with flute and Erato with barbiton. On side B a young woman with her present in form of a goose. In the area of Erato few, partially retouched cracks, the surface is slightly rubbed. Beautiful vase with interesting subject! With certificate of the Galerie Puhze (copy)! From the R. and K.U. Collection, Berlin, bought in 1994 at Galerie Günter Puhze, Freiburg, before private collection, Geneva. Estimate: 30,000,- euros No. 368: Part of a golden gorytos (bowcase) with punched decoration in form of griffin heads and stylized deer heads. Scythian, about 5th century B.C. Partially scratched, traces of sinter, tiny fragments missing, tiny fissures. Ex A.D. Collection, Rheinland-Pfalz, since Estimate: 125,000,- euros No. 493: Golden necklace with 26 intaglios. All of them are ancient except five of them. Every intaglio is mounted in gold and combined by eyes. The most of the eyes have stamps. The following description in clockwise begins with the clasp: 1. Agate: Two birds. Roman, 2nd century A.D. 2. Praser: Capitoline Venus. Roman, Early Imperial time. 3. Jasper: Eagle and inscription. 4. Chalcedony: Warrior. 5. Sard: Greek shoe. Roman, 2nd half 1st century B.C. 6. Amethyst: Lyra playing Apollo. 7. Cornelian: Riding Silen. Roman, around 50 B.C. 8. Agate: Dancing boy. Italic, 2nd century B.C. 9. Nicolo: Fortuna. Roman, 2nd century A.D. 10. Agate: Cornucopia. Roman, 1st century B.C. 11. Cornelian: Iustitia. Roman, around 100 A.D. 12. Agate: Pegasus. Italic-Republican, 2nd century B.C. 13. Nicolo: Portrait of a woman. Roman, around 70/80 A.D. 14. Agate: Boy. 15. Cornelian: Mercur. Roman, 1st century A.D. 16. Agate: Bird and water basin. Roman, 1st century B.C. 17. Nicolo: Bonus Eventus. Roman, late 1st century B.C. 18. Agate: Diana. Italic-republican, around 100 B.C. 19. Cornelian: Nereid riding a hippocampus. 20. Amethyst: Mercury. Roman, 1st century A.D. 21. Cornelian: Griffin. Hellenistic, 1st century B.C. 22. Hyacinth: Resting ram. Roman, 2nd century B.C. 23. Amethyst: Dolphin and earlier inscription PADRO. Roman, 1st century A.D. 24. Chalcedony: Bonus Eventus. Roman, 2nd century A.D. 25. Nicolo: Portrait of Minerva. Roman, 2nd century A. D. 26. Agate: Inscription EROS. Last clasp as closure. Italy, around Intact. Estimate: 17,000,- euros 4

5 No. 494: Golden armlet with rosettes made in dark blue and white enamel and 7 gemstones. On the clasp is the monogram IB, maybe from the owner. All gemstones have nearly the same size (H max. 18mm, W max. 13mm), are convex and high oval. The obverses are flat except of one. There are five depictions of a woman, who stands to left and only differs in her attributes, and two portraits. Starting with the gemstone on the clasp: 1. Burned lapis lazuli with winged Nike and wafting clothes. She holds a palm branch in her right hand. 2. Jasper with a woman (Minerva?). She holds a spear and a shield in the left arm and a scepter in the right. 3. Lapis lazuli with a woman (Minerva?). She holds a shield in the left arm and a palm branch in the right. 4. Jasper with a portrait of an emperor in profile to left. 5. Lapis lazuli with a woman. She holds in both arms branches. 6. Browngreen agate with the same depiction as before. The obverse is convex. 7. Jasper with the portrait of an empress in profile to left. France or Switzerland, around One of the rosettes is broken, otherwise intact. Estimate: 9,000,- euros No. 506: High oval cameo, made of agate, mounted in a modern golden frame. The agate is depicting the portrait of Lady Hamilton in profile to the right. Below is a signature PICHLER in Greek. Italy, early 19th century. Intact. Ex Auction Sotheby's, European Sculpture and Works of Art, London, , No From princely Russian collection before Estimate: 6,200,- euros No. 528: Oblong intaglio, made of cornelian, mounted in a frame. The frame is made of fire-gilded tombac. The cornelian is depicting the sitting Artemisia in a mourning pose to the left. In her arms she holds the urn with remains of her husband Mausolos. Below is a signature PICHLER retrograde and in Greek. Italy, early 19th century. Intact. Ex Auction Sotheby's, European Sculpture and Works of Art, London, , No From princely Russian collection before Estimate: 3,000,- euros No. 534: Large lateral oval intaglio, cornelian, mounted in a modern golden frame showing a scene between Diana and a nymph. Diana right standing to left on a cloud. Her clothes fly in the wind. She wears on her head a diadem with a crescent. Her left hand leads behind and her right hand holds an arrow, which is taken by a nymph. The nymph treads on line from left to right. She takes the arrow with her left hand and in the right hand she holds a bow. Under the line is written retrograde GNAIOS. Early 19th century. Intact. Ex collection of the Polish prince Stanislas Poniatowski ( )! Estimate: 1,800,- euros 5

PRESS RELEASE Auction 243: Ancient Art, December 14, 2016, Preliminary Report. Comprehensive collections of ancient jewelry, glass and aegyptiaca

PRESS RELEASE Auction 243: Ancient Art, December 14, 2016, Preliminary Report Comprehensive collections of ancient jewelry, glass and aegyptiaca Among other items, auction house Gorny & Mosch offers large