3RD CENTURY B.C.

Details

A HELLENISTIC TERRACOTTA VOTIVE SHIELD WITH ALEXANDER GORGONEION
3RD CENTURY B.C.
The disc decorated in relief with a head of Alexander looking upwards and to his right, his face framed by exaggeratedly abundant locks, radiating scales form the background and intertwined snakes form a border around the disc and a torque around his neck
31/8 in. (8 cm.) diam.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

The illustration of this on the back cover has been reversed.

Lot Essay

PUBLISHED: Métamorphoses, pp. 259 and 417-418; Alexandre, p.142

For shields of the same type cf. Exhibition catalogue, The Search for Alexander, Boston, 1980, nos. 95-98.

According to legend, Perseus cut off the Gorgon's head and mounted it on his round shield which he gave to Pallas-Athena. The shield was then given to Achilles and it came into Alexander's possession when he removed it from the walls of the temple of Athena-Ilia at Troy. These terracottas may therefore symbolise Achilles' shield and have talismanic status.

More from ANTIQUITIES

View All