Lot 42
Ancient Central Asia, Persia, Achaemenid Empire, ca. 5th century BCE. A rare and quite remarkable gold repousse applique in the form of a lion hybrid shown with one paw raised and a second lion head or possibly a wing rising from its back. The strong animal rests on its haunches as he opens his mouth in a roar. Three loops protrude from the verso for suspension. Lions were a powerful symbol in Achaemenid art and were heavily featured in royal iconography to denote vigor and strength. These ferocious felines were also connected to solar deities and many sun related myths in many ancient Near Eastern traditions. In ancient Mesopotamian astrology, the sun is at its maximum strength while in the "house of the lion." Size: 1.6" W x 1.3" H (4.1 cm x 3.3 cm); gold quality: 67.9% (equivalent to over 16 karats); weight: 1.5 grams
The Achaemenid Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE (including Iran, Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt, Asia Minor, Central Asia, Caucasus, Thrace and some parts of India) is generally regarded as one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world. Its capital, Pasargadae, was Cyrus the Great's final resting place and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To demonstrate the Achaemenid Empire's love of gold, associates of Alexander the Great in accounts of a tomb in Pasargadae, described a golden sarcophagus, necklaces, and gold gemstone earrings. The tomb is located in Pasargadae, in the garden of a royal palace where an ensemble of artifacts known as the Pasargadae Treasure - including various articles of gold and silver, jewelry and gemstones - were found in a ceramic amphora.
The Achaemenid love of silver and gold was famous throughout the ancient world. Plato wrote of how the acquisition of gold and silver was considered a virtue while Alcibiades, another Athenian, wrote of the enormous wealth in gold and silver that the Persians had. Ancient Greek writers described the impressive wealth of the Persians. To quote Herodotus when speaking of Xerxes' troops, they "were adorned with the greatest magnificence
. They glittered all over with gold, vast quantities of which they wore about their persons." (Vii. 83).
A similar gold repousse of a hybrid lion hammered 239,400 GBP (equivalent to $313,256.10) at Christie's London on July 3rd, 2024 (lot 75, Live Auction 22666 "Antiquities").
Provenance: private Kihei, Hawaii, USA collection, purchased from I.M. Chait Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, October 10, 1999
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#189503
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Condition:
- A few stable hairline fissures to body, as well as some minor chips and bending, but otherwise intact and excellent with liberal remaining detail. Not recommended for wear due to age and fragility of gold.
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