Lot 918

Description

A pair of matching greaves with a pronounced ridge along the shin, which completely encloses the calf musculature when worn and is drawn upwards in a high arch over the knees. On the reverse, at the bottom and at the transition from the upper to the middle third, two perforations on each border. The entire border of the greaves decorated with two rows of bosses and dot punches: larger ones on the outside (approx. 3 mm diameter) and immediately adjacent smaller ones on the inside (approx. 1 mm diameter). On the inner sides, the calf musculature is modelled by a protruding convexity, with an additional ridge at the bottom. Between the calf and the shin, two sickle-shaped bands of dot-and-boss ornament are inserted, the “sickle blades” of which enclose the calf musculature in an arch. The decorative bands are bordered on the left and right by dot punches, with a row of small bosses in the centre. On the opposite side are three vertically running decorative bands of the same construction, running parallel at close intervals. The kneecap and the surrounding region are rendered by three raised areas in relief. The border of the kneecap additionally delineated by dot punches. Fully intact greaves, stabilised on the reverse from the inside with gauze soaked in synthetic resin. The surface with a green oxidation layer, with isolated azure-blue spots. Length 41.7 cm and 42 cm. A particularly interesting example combining anatomically formed greaves with the conservative and by then essentially obsolete dot-and-boss ornament of the early Iron Age indigenous population. CULTURAL ASSET!

Provenance: From the Axel Guttmann Collection, acquired in the 1980s and 1990s on the German art market.

Condition: II Questions about the lot?