Ancient Greek, Hellenistic Lead Ancient Greek Lead Tessera with Wrestlers – Palaestra / Athletic Games
11
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15
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28
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22
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€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 550 - € 700
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Ancient Greek lead tessera depicting two nude wrestlers in a palaestra, from the Hellenistic period (circa 3rd–1st c. BC), 8.0 g, 30.2 × 22.7 mm, in excellent condition, from a private European collection with acquisition in Austria and a prior owner in the Netherlands, authentic as Original/official.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ancient Greek Lead Tessera with Wrestlers – Palaestra / Athletic Games
Hellenistic Period, circa 3rd–1st century BC
8.0 g. and 30.2 x 22.7 mm
From a Private European Collection.
A fascinating and extremely rare Ancient Greek lead tessera depicting two nude wrestlers engaged in a wrestling contest, facing one another in a dynamic grappling position. The scene is surrounded by a raised border. Reverse largely plain and worn.
The remarkable representation belongs to one of the most characteristic subjects of Ancient Greek athletic culture. Wrestling (palē) was among the most important Greek athletic disciplines and was practised and taught in the palaestra and gymnasium. Surviving Greek works of art show pairs of nude athletes engaged in comparable wrestling holds within the palaestra.
Of particular interest is the strong iconographic relationship with the celebrated wrestler coinage of Aspendos in Pamphylia, one of the most famous athletic types in Ancient Greek numismatics. From the late 5th century BC onwards, Aspendos depicted pairs of wrestlers in a remarkable variety of grappling positions, with the type becoming especially prominent throughout the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
The precise function of this lead tessera remains uncertain. Considering its athletic subject, however, an association with a palaestra, gymnasium, athletic contest or public games is an intriguing possibility. Such an object may have served as a token, admission tessera or other local marker connected with athletic or civic activities.
An exceptionally interesting and very rare piece of Greek material culture, combining the world of ancient athletics with an iconography immediately reminiscent of some of the most celebrated wrestling scenes of Ancient Greek coinage.
Extremely rare, a Popular collector's piece.
I prove that the lot was obtained legally , provenance statement seen by Catawiki
Important information. I guarantee that I am entitled to ship this lot.
I will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
I will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Ancient Greek Lead Tessera with Wrestlers – Palaestra / Athletic Games
Hellenistic Period, circa 3rd–1st century BC
8.0 g. and 30.2 x 22.7 mm
From a Private European Collection.
A fascinating and extremely rare Ancient Greek lead tessera depicting two nude wrestlers engaged in a wrestling contest, facing one another in a dynamic grappling position. The scene is surrounded by a raised border. Reverse largely plain and worn.
The remarkable representation belongs to one of the most characteristic subjects of Ancient Greek athletic culture. Wrestling (palē) was among the most important Greek athletic disciplines and was practised and taught in the palaestra and gymnasium. Surviving Greek works of art show pairs of nude athletes engaged in comparable wrestling holds within the palaestra.
Of particular interest is the strong iconographic relationship with the celebrated wrestler coinage of Aspendos in Pamphylia, one of the most famous athletic types in Ancient Greek numismatics. From the late 5th century BC onwards, Aspendos depicted pairs of wrestlers in a remarkable variety of grappling positions, with the type becoming especially prominent throughout the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
The precise function of this lead tessera remains uncertain. Considering its athletic subject, however, an association with a palaestra, gymnasium, athletic contest or public games is an intriguing possibility. Such an object may have served as a token, admission tessera or other local marker connected with athletic or civic activities.
An exceptionally interesting and very rare piece of Greek material culture, combining the world of ancient athletics with an iconography immediately reminiscent of some of the most celebrated wrestling scenes of Ancient Greek coinage.
Extremely rare, a Popular collector's piece.
I prove that the lot was obtained legally , provenance statement seen by Catawiki
Important information. I guarantee that I am entitled to ship this lot.
I will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
I will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Details
Culture
Ancient Greek, Hellenistic
Century/timeframe
circa 3rd–1st century BC
Name of object
Ancient Greek Lead Tessera with Wrestlers – Palaestra / Athletic Games
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2026
Material
Lead
Country acquired from
Austria
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
