Our specialists’ selection of the finest pieces on offer in this December’s sale of Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art.

Auction Highlights

Sotheby’s is delighted to offer three important examples of exceptional Attic pottery and vase-painting, all from the collections of the Late Jean and the Late Alexandre Zafiropulo. All are offered at auction for the first time since their acquisition in 1958.

Property From the Collections of the Late Jean and the Late Alexandre Zafiropulo

Three Important Attic Vases

Sculpture’s unique ability to represent a likeness in three dimensions made it a favoured mode for the representation of important contemporary figures in antiquity. Below is a selection of pieces from this December’s sale which explore this capacity with particular success.

Images of Authority

Some of the most important and iconic gods, heroes and figures of mythology are represented in this December’s offering. A marble Narcissus, perhaps the most iconic youth of ancient Greek mythology and immortalised in Ovid’s metamorphoses, peers down to admire his reflection in the water. A Roman Muse Erato or Terpsichore, known from very earliest classical literary sources Homer and Hesiod, plucks on her fragmentary kithara, while the Greek moon goddess Selene gazes from a Hellenistic cameo under her moon-surmounted diadem.

Iconic Figures of Classical Mythology 

Funerary Art from Ancient Egypt 

London

Senior Director | Head of Department, Worldwide, Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art

Dr Florent Heintz

International Senior Director | Senior Vice President, Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art

Richard M Keresey

AVP, Specialist, Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art

Alexandra Olsman

Associate Cataloguer, Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art

Finn Hardwick

Meet our Specialists

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact: +44 207 293 5000 
 
 <a class="Link" href="mailto:enquiries@sothebys.com">enquiries@sothebys.com</a>

Stay informed with Sotheby’s top stories, videos, events &amp; news.

Sotheby’s is delighted to present a live auction of Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art occurring at our London New Bond Street premises on 5 December. The sale is led by three important Attic vases, including one by the Berlin painter, as well as a set of fine canopic jars with provenance dating back to the early 20th century, and a Roman torso of the iconic Greek youth of myth and poetry, Narcissus. Joining these important works are a diverse array of fine Egyptian and Classical sculpture in marble, alabaster and bronze, as well as a selection of objects at an accessible price point for both new and seasoned collectors.