MACEDON An Akanthian Archaic Masterpiece
512. Macedon, Akanthos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 500-480 BC. Bull, with head raised and reverted, kneeling to left, attacked by lion leaping on to its back; bukranion below dotted exergual line / Quadripartite incuse square, the raised parts in the four squares forming open flower of four petals. Desneux, 72 46f (this coin); Jameson 929 (this coin); SNG Lockett 1281. 17.24g, 28mm. Good Extremely Fine.
15,000
Ex R. Jameson and W. Niggeler collections; Ex M端nzen und Medaillen AG, 88, 1999, lot 131; Ex Bank Leu - M端nzen und Medaillen, Niggeler I, 1965, lot 213. The ubiquitous and persistent theme of the lion-bull combat can be traced back to the figurate art of the third millennium, where the geometrical motifs are replaced by narrative symbolic representations, and the scene is characteristic of Near Eastern art in its infancy. The earliest known depiction occurs on a ewer found at Uruk dated to the latter part of the Protoliterate period, circa 3300 BC. That ewer has a relief depiction of a lion attacking a bull from behind (see Henri Frankfort, Art and Architecture of the Ancient Orient, 1963). The scene became widely distributed by 500 BC, featuring prominently in the Achaemenid Empire, and in particular at the palace of Darius in Persepolis, where it occurs no fewer than twenty seven times, including on the main staircase leading to the imperial complex. Its frequent appearance in key locations strongly suggests an important symbolic significance, which unfortunately has not survived antiquity. Explanations for the symbolism and its power over ancient peoples who reproduced it with prodigious enthusiasm have ranged from it being an expression of royal power, to it being an astronomical allusion, as well it being an embodiment of the constant struggle between civilisation (represented by the domesticated bull), and nature (represented by the untameable lion). This latter argument may well hold true for the Mesopotamians of Uruk, who it is known took a rather grim view of the world, seeing it as a battleground of opposing powers. Ultimately however what we may be expected to see could be far simpler and more elemental: potent symbols of power and fertility - both attributes that royal houses, city states and ordinary men alike should be proud to display.
513
514
513. Macedon, Akanthos AR Tetrobol. Circa 470-390 BC. Forepart of bull left, head right, Akanthos flower above / Quadripartite incuse square. SNG ANS 34. 2.15g, 15mm. Good Fine.
200
514. Macedon, Akanthos AR Tetrobol. Circa 470-390 BC. Forepart of bull left, head right / Quadripartite incuse square. SNG ANS 32. 2.42g, 15mm. Good Fine.
62
200