Research Gallery
This page is devoted to a few particularly interesting pieces. The pleasures of such discoveries is one of the primary reasons we enjoy this business so much.
#A189: A Greek Bronze Coin.
AE18mm. Probably ca. 4th-2nd century BC. Bearded head wearing a conical cap, the cap with a laurel? wreath, 5 Greek letters visible behind the head, the last one a sigma./Free horse running r., uncertain object below.
This head is quite similar to that of Odysseus (Ulysses) on coins of Ithaca and may also depict the hero. We believe this coin was found in Sicily or South Italy. Probably quite rare. A proper attribution would be appreciated.
UPDATE: This coin has now been attributed by Carmen Arnold-Biucchi of the American Numismatic Society. It is a coin of Mytistratos in Sicily, most of the (M)UTIS ethnic showing clearly. It probably dates to the second half of the 4th century BC.
The obverse head is Hephaistos. R. Calciati, Corpus Nummorum Siculorum, III p.293-294 lists only two known specimens, one in the Campana Collection (not illustrated) and the other from the Cammarata Collection. This is an extremely rare coin not listed in Sear or Copenhagen nor is it included in the ANS collections. Our thanks to the ANS for their help.
SECOND UPDATE: This coin has now been purchased by the ANS for their collections.
#A187: An Angel Holding a Lily Stalk, ca. 17th-18th century.
A very finely executed old master style painting. Oil on canvas, 22.5 x 28.5". The painting needing cleaning and conservation. An area on the neck apparently poorly cleaned. Unsigned. Attribution to the painter and any known history of this work would be greatly appreciated.
One rarely sees paintings of this quality. We expect it to be a long-term project to properly conserve this piece and prepare it for sale.
UPDATE: This painting has been identified as a copy after Carlo Dolci, 1616-1686. The
original of this painting of the Angel of the Annunciation is in Florence,
Galleria Palatina, Royal Appartments, n.61 where it hangs there with its
pair - the Virgin Anunciate. Thanks to Mr. Lanzoni of New Jersey and Alex Wengraf of the UK for their assistance. We still hope to identify the artist who produced this copy and his dates. We are aware of a smaller copy by Lewis Pisani, Florence.
#A188: A Greek Bronze Coin.
AE19mm. Female hd l./Goddess enthroned l.(Holding large cornear or Isis crown), her left hand down to a situla (bucket)?, pot on a stand in front. Probably from Asia Minor or Syria, ca. 3rd-1st century BC. Precise attribution appreciated. UPDATE: This coin has now been attributed to Sestus, Thrace, ca. 300 BC. See Copenhagen.927, 934, 935 for very similar examples. See also Lindgren.3,#81 and BMC12v. Ob. given as female hd. l. Rv. is of course Demeter std. l. on cippus holding cornear. Thanks to John Mixter of Rhode Island for his assistance. Very rare.