£3,750
African & Oceanic Art and Antiquities | 576
Auction: 15 October 2019 at 16:00 BST
the obverse with an arming scene, with a bearded warrior at the centre, fastening his greave onto his raised shin, a high crested Corinthian helmet below, flanked by three attendants, vines in the field; the reverse with two armoured warriors standing between a third figure holding a staff; palmettes on the neck and rays around the foot
Provenance:
From a prominent British collection, acquired prior to 1990.
Note:
For an example with a similar arming scene please see: The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 06.1021.69.
The dolphins painted on the shield of one of the warriors in the obverse are an interesting feature. Dolphins were associated with Odysseus; Plutarch relates that he bore a dolphin as his device (engraved on his signet ring and shield) because a dolphin had once saved Telemachus from drowning. Attic hoplites in particular would often bear the animal on their shields; they were a reminder of Athens' naval might, even when fighting on land, as well as a symbol in honour of Athena in her role as the patron goddess of the city.