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Pitt-Rivers' purchases from the sale of the Cesnola-Lawrence collection at Sotheby's in 1884 as listed in the annotated sale catalogue of the auctioneers. The sale actually went on three days but Pitt-Rivers did not purchase anything (and may not have attended) the third day on 17 May 1884.
Pitt-Rivers purchased 125 objects in 57 lots for £15.2.0 over the two days. In addition he may have obtained 2 more [lots 1378 and 1379] from Lincoln, a dealer
Our thanks to Thomas Kiely for providing a copy of this catalogue from which the following table has been taken.
Lot number |
Sale Catalogue Description |
Number of objects |
Price paid £.s.d |
Notes |
15.5.1884 |
|
|
|
|
1107 |
Ancient Terra Cotta Vases Bright red Oinochoe as before [Bright red with black concentric circles?] 7 in high; and a pale red glazed Lecythus 9 1/2 in high |
2 |
0.5.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p32 /6 & Add.9455vol2_p33 /3 |
1109 |
Ancient Terra Cotta Vases Very fine bright red Oinochoe, deep colour, rich and full ornament of circles 8 in high; and a pale red glazed Lecythus of good shape and colour 10 in high |
2 |
0.13.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p32 /7 & Add.9455vol2_p33 /4 |
1123 |
Ancient Terra Cotta Vases Black-splashed ware Wine Jug, fluted handle, 10 in high; and a rare and archaic Jug ornamented with incised chevrons handle wanting 8 1/2 in high |
2 |
0.7.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p33 /1 [cant match jug possibly One of Add.9455vol2_p31 /1-13 marked as 1124]. The first item was found on the internet for sale, see end of this page for more information |
1135 |
Ancient Terra Cotta Vases Archaic Wine Jug with copious ornamentation of the best pattern, red and black chipped 8 in high and an Amphora of buff ware 6 1/2 in high |
2 |
0.4.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p32 /8 & Add.9455vol2_p36 /7 |
1145 |
Ancient Terra Cotta Vases Fine Cypriote Wine jug, cream coloured ware with concentric circles, black and red, 9 in high and a Tetine or Sprinkler loop handled |
2 |
1.2.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p32 /9 & Add.9455vol2_p31 /1. The first was sent to SKM and later donated to the PRM see 1884.38.51 |
1147 |
Ancient Terra Cotta Vases Early Wine Jug, with black pattern, 10 in high; and a deep red ware sprinkler ornamented with a white slip |
2 |
0.2.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p32 /10 & Add.9455vol2_p32 /10. The sprinkler was sent to SKM and then donated to PRM. see 1884.38.25 [it is numbered 1147.2] |
1151 |
Ancient Terra Cotta Vases Lecythus of pale yellow ware, ornamented with red colour, 6 in and a Water Vessel with two handles and side-spout of archaic design |
2 |
0.10.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p31 /3 & Add.9455vol2_p36 /6 |
1154 |
Ancient Terra Cotta Vases Red glazed ware Jug, with white glazed pattern 8 in and archaic water vessel with red ornament |
2 |
0.5.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p31 /4 & cant match |
1167 |
Ancient Terra Cotta Vases Fine large Cypriote Wine Jug, spherical body pale colour with geometrical design in black 14 in high neck broken, and a deep red glazed bowl, handle wanting |
2 |
0.2.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p36 /5 & cant match |
1301 |
Inscribed Lamps 4 others [terracotta lamps] Epmaino IIpainon &c |
4 |
0.8.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p40 /1-4 |
1306 |
Inscribed Lamps 4 others [terracotta lamps] uncertain words |
4 |
0.4.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p40 /5-8 |
1309 |
Greek lamps Others [Terra cotta lamps of greek design] floral devices |
3 |
0.17.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p40 /9-11 |
1316 |
Terracotta Vases Others amphora, Phoenician red-ware jug, sprinkler and diota |
4 |
0.11.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p33 /8 & Add.9455vol2_p34 /1 & cant match |
1321 |
Terracotta Vases Others Sprinkler, fine ware Askos, three handled jar, diota |
4 |
0.12.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p31 /5 & Add.9455vol2_p32 /3 & cant match. Two of these objects were sent to SKM and then donated to PRM, see 1884.38.24 [probably the diota as it is numbered 1321.4] and 1884.38.47 |
1331 |
Terracotta Vases Others Red ware Vase, Amphoreus, Sprinkler, and Vase with rare incised pattern |
4 |
0.19.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p41 /7 & Add.9455vol2_p33 /5 |
1341 |
Terracotta Vases Others, curious frilled sprinkler, three handled jar, askos, and another |
4 |
0.7.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p36 /3 & Add.9455vol2_p34 /2 and cant match |
1342 |
Terracotta Vases Others, Diota white ware, Amphora, red ware Vase’ and white ware Jug |
4 |
0.6.0 |
Cant match |
1345 |
Terracotta Vases Others, Others, sprinkler, or libation vase; water-vessel, amphora askos |
4 |
0.8.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p34 /3 & Add.9455vol2_p33 /10 & cant match |
16.5.1884 |
||||
1377 |
Terracotta Vases Ancient pale yellow ware Jug, with spherical body, red ornamentation 6 in, and a bowl or Patera, red and black ornaments |
2 |
0.3.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p38 /12 & cant match |
1378 |
… and a bowl or patera, red and black ornaments |
1 of 2? |
0.5.0 |
Sale catalogue has this as sold to Lincoln with a jug But recorded in catalogue of second collection as Add.9455vol2_p38 /13 |
1379 |
… and a Bowl with black and red devices |
1 of 2 |
See above |
Sale catalogue has this as sold to Lincoln with a jug But recorded in catalogue of second collection as Add.9455vol2_p38 /14 |
1401 |
Terracotta Vases Another, arrow, wheel and fylfot patterns 5 in diam and a spouted vessel |
2 |
0.6.0 |
One of Add.9455vol2_p31 /1-13 & Add.9455vol2_p35 /1. One of these objects was sent to SKM and then donated to PRM. see 1884.38.29 [probably the first] |
1402 |
Terracotta Vases Another Birds in red and black 6 in diam and an askow |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p35 /2 & cant match. One of these objects was sent to SKM and now forms part of the Pitt Rivers Museum's collections see 1884.38.11 |
1403 |
Terracotta Vases Another Bird and fylfot 5 1/4 in diam and a spouted tetine |
2 |
See above |
One of Add.9455vol2_p31 /1-13 & Add.9455vol2_p34 /7. One of these objects was sent to SKM and then donated to PRM. see 1884.38.23 |
1410 |
Terracotta Vases Another [bowl] star pattern 4 1/2 in and an archaic sprinkler highly ornamented |
2 |
0.12.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p35 /3 & Add.9455vol2_p37 /7 and on. One of these objects was sent to SKM and then donated to PRM. see 1884.38.16 |
1411 |
Terracotta Vases Another [bowl] bright colour flower pattern 5 1/2 in and a finely ornamented sprinkler |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p35 /4 & Add.9455vol2_p37 /7 and on |
1412 |
Terracotta Vases Another [bowl] rosettes 5 1/2 in and an archaic askos |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p35 /5 & Add.9455vol2_p37 /5. One of these objects was sent to SKM and now forms part of Pitt Rivers Museum's collections 1884.38.10 described as a pottery vessel |
1421 |
Terracotta Vases Red ware Cylix with spout and an archaic sprinkler |
2 |
0.16.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p37 /7 & Add.9455vol2_p38 /7. One of these objects was sent to SKM and now forms part of Pitt Rivers Museum collections 1884.38.19 |
1422 |
Terracotta Vases Ornamental sprinkler and early bowl black ornamentation |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p35 /6 & Add.9455vol2_p37 /6. One of these objects was sent to SKM and now forms part of Pitt Rivers Museum collections 1884.38.9 now described as a jug? |
1423 |
Terracotta Vases Early blackish red ware bowl or phiale, and archaic amphora cream coloured with black ornaments |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p33 /7 & Add.9455vol2_p38 /8 |
1424 |
Terracotta Vases Another and sprinkler of deep red ware incised patterns |
2 |
0.19.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p37 /10 & Add.9455vol2_p38 /9 |
1425 |
Terracotta Vases Phiale or bowl, with single handle, blackish red ware and a frilled sprinkler |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p37 /11 & Add.9455vol2_p38 /10 |
1426 |
Terracotta Vases Another 6 in diam and curious double Vase black ware unique |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p35 /11 & Add.9455vol2_p38 /11 |
1451 |
Terracotta Vases Spherical food vessel, yellow ware and red ornament two holes pierced for a loop handle 3 in mouth and a creamy white Oinochoe |
2 |
0.10.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p32 /2 & Add.9455vol2_p34 /8 |
1452 |
Terracotta Vases Globular bowl red ware 3 3/4 in and an elegant jar or aryballos of red ware |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p36 /2 & Add.9455vol2_p35 /8 |
1453 |
Terracotta Vases Red glazed ware bowl shaped lip, and an archaic Tetine or sprinkler hatched ornament of early style |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p34 /5 & Add.9455vol2_p32 /1 |
1457 |
Terracotta Vases Another [globular bowl] 3 3/4 in diam; ornamental sprinkler or spouted bottle and a small Phoenician oinochoe red glazed ware |
2 |
0.8.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p37 /12 & Add.9455vol2_p35 /9 |
1458 |
Terracotta Vases Another [globular bowl] 3 1/2 in diam; and an elegant Hydria in cream coloured ware with black lines |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p35 /7 & Add.9455vol2_p38 /3 |
1459 |
Terracotta Vases Patera or bowl yellow ware, black and red ornamentation 4 in and an ornamental sprinkler |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p37 /9 & Add.9455vol2_p39 /9. One of these objects was sent to SKM and now forms part of PRM collections see 1884.38.18 |
1460 |
Terracotta Vases Spherical bowl red glazed ware with peculiar incised pattern of considerable rarity 3 1/2 in diam, and a tetine with loop handle |
2 |
0.3.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p34 /6 & One of Add.9455vol2_p31 /1-13 |
1461 |
Terracotta Vases Red ware Patera archaic sprinkler with hatched ornaments and a conical vessel |
3 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p37 /13 & Add.9455vol2_p38 /1 |
1471 |
Terracotta Vases Bowl or drinking cup, good shape, yellow and red, 4 1/2 in diam; and an archaic Amphora cream coloured ware black ornaments |
2 |
0.16.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p34 /4 & Add.9455vol2_p33 /9 |
1472 |
Terracotta Vases Archaic sprinkler or spouted aryballos hatched ornaments 6 1/2 in and a patera or cylix deep red ware black ornaments of early Cypriote style |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p37 /8 & Add.9455vol2_p35 /10. One of these objects was sent to SKM and now forms part of Pitt Rivers Museum collections 1884.38.20 |
1473 |
Terracotta Vases Ornamental Aryballos archaic style 6 1/4 in high and Phoenician lecythus |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p33 /6 & Add.9455vol2_p37 /4. One of these objects was sent to SKM and now forms part of the PRM's collections see 1884.38.12 |
1522 |
Glass Finger Rings Another [Iridescent glass ring] iridescence of good quality and a small Unguentarium of fine colours |
2 |
0.13.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p40 /12 & Add.9455vol2_p40 /13 |
1574 |
Terra Cotta Figures Egyptian cat-headed goddess Pasht or Bast on a throne 7 in high |
1 |
0.13.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p39 /1 |
1575 |
Terra Cotta Figures Statuette of a female holding a kid, and another of a patera 5 in high |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p39 /4-5 |
1576 |
Terra Cotta Figures Graeco-Roman Statuette incalcareous stone – a youth with long hair, cap and toga 7 in high |
1 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p39 /2 |
1577 |
Terra Cotta Figures Draped figure perhaps Iconic 7 in high |
1 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p39 /3 |
1582 |
Terra Cotta Figures Another [draped female] headless holding a patera and a head early style |
2 |
0.2.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p39 /6 & Add.9455vol2_p39 /7 |
1583 |
Terra Cotta Figures Fine statuette of Venus, hands on breast, a type peculiar Cyprus 11 in high |
1 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p39 /8 |
1584 |
Terra Cotta Figures Another [Fine statuette of Venus, hands on breast] 12 in high |
1 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p39 /8 |
1618 |
Terra Cotta Vases Another [bowl] black ornamentation and a cream coloured ware Jug with black ornamentation of hatched lines |
2 |
1.1.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p33 /11 & cant match |
1619 |
Terra Cotta Vases Another [bowl] black ornamentation and a cream coloured ware Jug with black ornamentation of hatched lines |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p37 /2 & cant match. The object that cannot be matched to an entry in the second coll. catalogue was sent to SKM and formed part of the founding collection, it is now at the Pitt Rivers Museum see 1884.38.3 |
1620 |
Terra Cotta Vases Yellow ware bowl of early pattern with black ornamentation and a fine deep red oinochoe of Phoenician style with black circles |
2 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p41 /6 & cant match |
1621 |
Terra Cotta Vases Redware hemispherical bowl with loop handle a small spouted cup or lamp feeder and an archaic aryballos |
3 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p38 /4-6 |
1625 |
Terra Cotta Vases Archaic aryballos with ornamentation of black hatched lines in lozenge shaped panels and a black and red ware spouted cup with spiral ornament |
2 |
0.10.0 |
Add.9455vol2_p37 /1 & cant match |
1626 |
Terra Cotta Vases Another Aryballos a spouted cup with spiral ornament and a fine red clay spherical vase with two handles mouth chipped |
3 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p36 /1 & Add.9455vol2_p38 /4-6 |
1627 |
Terra Cotta Vases Another spouted cup an ancient Greek lecythus of black ware, with antefixal ornament, painted in red, mouth chipped and a bell shaped object painted with black and red lines |
3 |
See above |
Add.9455vol2_p38 /2 & cant match |
17.5.1884 |
||||
Nothing purchased |
Some objects from this sale were sent to South Kensington Museum [SKM] and then donated to the University of Oxford and now form part of the Pitt Rivers Museum's [PRM] collections. Apart from the ones noted above there are some that cannot be matched to specific entries in the sale catalogue above but seem, from the date they are recorded as having been received at SKM (22-29 July 1884) to have been sent from the sale-room and coming from this sale. Note that they could be matched, but sufficient detail is not available to make it possible: in other words they are described above, it is just not possible to identify which specific entry matches.
Here are their descriptions from the Pitt Rivers Museum accession books:
1884.38.8: Large oval (round x section) buff jug on tripod points with maroon coloured latticed patterns: extended neck with oblique undulating mouth, small handle below neck and three small ring holes on each side (one each side of neck)
1884.38.13: [Jug] with round bottom, mouth slant jug form: four rows of 3 twin ring-holes down the sides and two pairs on neck near handle, latticed triangle designs
1884.38.22: Small red-ware spouted vessel: globular body, handle and flared small mouth ornamented with black band and two concentric ring designs
1884.38.41: Buff pot with neck and funnel mouth: body ovoid (round oval): 2 handles at neck: ends decorated with red and black concentric circles with central nipple
1884.38.48: Large buff jug with ovoid body as above, with red and black transverse rings (one red)
1884.38.49: Globular bodied pot of same ware with trefoil mouth, target in each, targets in row in front: handle 'double-barrelled'
1884.38.52: Small jug (8") of red-brown painted ware, of similar form [to 1884.38.51], 2 black circles each side cut by transverse bands, handle as above [36 red label]
1884.38.53: Small jug (7"), globular jug of buff ware, with transverse black rings and a red band: hook painted below handle (?bird tail)
1884.38.54: Small jug (4 1/2"), buff ware jug painted with red and black arrow heads (large), wicker patterned handle
1884.38.55: Larger jug (10"), with large red 'bird foot' designs and three targets in line between: double barrelled handle, trefoil mouth
1884.38.56: Small jug (c 5") with red and black large arrowhead designs and single black targets between
1884.38.57: Larger jug (8 1/2") with trefoil mouth and eyes on each side (bird jug) and three arrows composed of inverted Vs
1884.38.58: Larger 'bird' jug with similar arrow designs [to 1884.38.57] (larger chevrons) and vertical line of three small swastikas
1884.38.59: Small ( 4 3/4") bird-jug with two swastikas and black triangle under chevrons on 'breast'
1884.38.60: Larger bird-jug with swastika under a chevronesque simple design on breast
1884.38.61: Similar bird-jug [to 1884.38.58] with swastikas on sides and edging, a gable-shaped chequered 'breast design'
1884.38.62: Similar bird-jug [to 1884.38.58], chequered gable design on breast and pendant beneath, both edged with black cocked-hat ornament in frame of chevrons
1884.38.63: Similar bird-jug [to 1884.38.62] with chequered gable on breast , the edging lines crossed and prolonged, fringe below and curved lines in the obtuse angles and swastikas
1884.38.64: Similar bird-jug [to 1884.38.63] with designs on breast composed of cocked hat patterns of 13/ 2148a [1884.38.62]
1884.38.65: Similar bird-jug [to 1884.38.64] with designs on breast composed of lines in groups with groups of concentric semi-circles on each side (suggesting design of 9/ 2148) [1884.38.63]
1884.38.66: Similar bird-jug [to 1884.38.65] with T-shaped breast design with curved lines filling the angles and large red semi-circles relieved with black lines and line spaces on each side
1884.38.67: Similar bird-jug [to 1884.38.66] with red neck lines and chevroned arrow, edged with feint [sic] arrows and small swastikas
1884.38.68: Large similar bird-jug [to 1884.38.67] with red-centred, black-edged triangle on breast, dotted "X" derived from swastika and tail-like switch at base of handle
1884.38.69: 10] Smaller similar bird-jug [to 1884.38.68] with red-lined neck, chequered black gable on breast with square and dot in central white square: dotted "X"s on each side
1884.38.70: Similar bird-jug [to 1884.38.69] with chevroned arrow design on breast and dotted "X"s each side
1884.140.603 Pottery 'bird-jug' with pinched mouth painted with eyes, a triangular, partly chequered design on the 'breast' and two swastikas on one side and two crosses, with a single dot inside each quarter segment, on the other side.
Note: A total of XXXX items are thought to have been bought at the 1884 Cesnola-Lawrence sale, and ultimately ended up in the PRM and recorded in PRM accession books (as detailed above). This is XXX out of XXX total objects purchased at the sale.
2nd sale 15-17.5.1884 Successful new bidders:
Babington
Baxter
Bowyer
Currie
Cutter Jnr.
?Gassley
Gulley
Hall
J. Jackson
Lang
Lawson
Mason
Millett
Myers
Powell
Price
F.A. Reynolds
Rose
R.W. Smith
Starling
Whyte
Yardley
Successful bidders who had also bought in 1883: see here for information on that sale:
Brent
Fenton
Fry
Jackson [but see above, initial not given in first sale so might not be same person]
Lincoln
Morgan
Ready
Pitt-Rivers
Way.
Lot 1123
Ancient Terra Cotta Vases Black-splashed ware Wine Jug, fluted handle, 10 in high ... Add.9455vol2_p33 /1
This item was for sale on 11 May 2012 at http://www.antiquitiesonline.co.uk/A-Cypriote-jug-reputedly-from-the-Pitt-Rivers-Museum-and-Lawrence-Cesnola-Collection_AZ2SG.aspx
Described as:
A Cypriote grey ware single-handled pitcher, with tall neck, globular body and ribbed handle measuring 230 mm/9.1 ins. high. Some patches of black discolouration but overall condition good. Hellenistic or early Roman period, c. 300 B.C. - 200 A.D. A worn paper label on the base reads 'Lot 112....nce-Cesnol...collec....ebv. 15. May.'
Reputedly acquired in 1884 by the Pitt-Rivers Museum from the Lawrence-Cesnola collection. Previously in a Welsh private collection, and acquired from Trim Bridge Antiquities of Queen Street, Bath, in December 1977 for £75 (close to £400 in today's money we believe).
See photograph from the above site on this page.
AP April 2012