21st Nov, 2025 13:00
Fine Antiquities & Ancient Art
89
TWO BIRD HEAD APPLIQUÉS, ONE GOLD AND ONE SILVER, SCYTHIAN, 4TH CENTURY BC
Sold for €1,690
including Buyer's Premium
Published: T. Pang, Treasures of the Eurasian Steppes: Animal Art from 800 BC to 200 AD, New York, 1998, p. 23, nos. 6 and 7.
Comprising two archaic bird heads, both finely worked in repoussé, which probably once served as gorytus fittings (see literature comparison below):
-The gold appliqué with a lined, curved beak issuing from a circular eye, with further lined details enclosing the eye and forming a curl below.
-The silver appliqué similarly decorated with a curving beak and short horn-like protuberance beside the large, circular eye and with further lined details.
Each plaque with three perforations at the rims for suspension. (2)
Provenance: From a private collection, Canada, 1970s. Ariadne Galleries, New York and London, acquired in the New York trade in the 1990s. From a private collection, United States, acquired from the above, on 27 April 2016. A copy of the invoice from Ariadne Demirjian, on 27 April 2016, confirming the dating above, accompanies the lot. Founded in 1972, Ariadne Galleries is a leading international dealer in ancient art, with galleries in New York and London. Specializing in Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Eurasian, Near Eastern, and Byzantine works, the firm counts major museums and private collectors among its clients. Ariadne is active at prestigious art fairs such as Frieze Masters, The Salon Art + Design, and TEFAF New York, and also hosts annual exhibitions in London.
Condition: Excellent condition with minor surface wear and little encrustations.
Weight: 2.3 g (the gold appliqué), 12.7 g (the silver appliqué)
Dimensions: Length 2.9 cm (the gold appliqué), 4.7 cm (the silver appliqué), 8.8 cm (incl. stand)
With an acrylic stand. (3)
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related gold gorytus fitting in the shape of a bird head, Scythian, 5th-4th century BC, 3.5 cm tall, in the British Museum, museum number 123940. Compare a related Scythian gold appliqué in the form of two opposing faces suspending bird heads below, ca. first millenium BC, at Ancient & Oriental, London.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 13 June 2000, lot 411
Price: USD 10,575 or approx. EUR 17,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Scythian gold appliqué, circa late 5th century B.C.
Expert remark: Compare the zoomorphic subject, the repoussé technique, and material. Note the size (4.1 cm).
Published: T. Pang, Treasures of the Eurasian Steppes: Animal Art from 800 BC to 200 AD, New York, 1998, p. 23, nos. 6 and 7.
Comprising two archaic bird heads, both finely worked in repoussé, which probably once served as gorytus fittings (see literature comparison below):
-The gold appliqué with a lined, curved beak issuing from a circular eye, with further lined details enclosing the eye and forming a curl below.
-The silver appliqué similarly decorated with a curving beak and short horn-like protuberance beside the large, circular eye and with further lined details.
Each plaque with three perforations at the rims for suspension. (2)
Provenance: From a private collection, Canada, 1970s. Ariadne Galleries, New York and London, acquired in the New York trade in the 1990s. From a private collection, United States, acquired from the above, on 27 April 2016. A copy of the invoice from Ariadne Demirjian, on 27 April 2016, confirming the dating above, accompanies the lot. Founded in 1972, Ariadne Galleries is a leading international dealer in ancient art, with galleries in New York and London. Specializing in Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Eurasian, Near Eastern, and Byzantine works, the firm counts major museums and private collectors among its clients. Ariadne is active at prestigious art fairs such as Frieze Masters, The Salon Art + Design, and TEFAF New York, and also hosts annual exhibitions in London.
Condition: Excellent condition with minor surface wear and little encrustations.
Weight: 2.3 g (the gold appliqué), 12.7 g (the silver appliqué)
Dimensions: Length 2.9 cm (the gold appliqué), 4.7 cm (the silver appliqué), 8.8 cm (incl. stand)
With an acrylic stand. (3)
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related gold gorytus fitting in the shape of a bird head, Scythian, 5th-4th century BC, 3.5 cm tall, in the British Museum, museum number 123940. Compare a related Scythian gold appliqué in the form of two opposing faces suspending bird heads below, ca. first millenium BC, at Ancient & Oriental, London.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 13 June 2000, lot 411
Price: USD 10,575 or approx. EUR 17,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Scythian gold appliqué, circa late 5th century B.C.
Expert remark: Compare the zoomorphic subject, the repoussé technique, and material. Note the size (4.1 cm).
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