CLASSICAL COURT STYLE, CIRCA 5TH CENTURY B.C.

Details

A GRECO-PERSIAN BLUE CHALCEDONY SCARABOID WITH A LION ATTACKING A BULL
CLASSICAL COURT STYLE, CIRCA 5TH CENTURY B.C.
1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm.) long

Provenance

Giorgio Sangiorgi (1886-1965), Rome, acquired and brought to Switzerland, late 1930s; thence by continuous descent to the current owner.

Special notice

This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice. The USA prohibits the purchase by US persons of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments. The US sanctions apply to US persons regardless of the location of the transaction or the shipping intentions of the US person. For this reason, Christie’s will not accept bids by US persons on this lot. Non-US persons wishing to import this lot into the USA are advised that they will need to apply for an OFAC licence and that this can take many months to be granted.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Claudio Corsi Specialist, Head of Department

ccorsi@christies.com +44 (0) 20 7389 2607

Lot Essay

The underside is engraved with a lion with long curling tail and cross-hatched mane, leaping up onto the figure of a bull who collapses under the weight of the attacker. For a similar bull, cf. J. Boardman, Greek Gems and Finger Rings, London, 1970, pl. 830, and for the popular subject of lions attacking various animals cf. op. cit. pls 867, 909 and 935.

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