Four silver Avaric phalerae in excellent condition,... Lot n° 21

Four round, exquisitely worked phalerae. Two showing the same motif, a winged mythical creature with a griffin's head, advancing to the right. While the details of the creature's body are finely delineated, the background is left vacant. Bordered by rows of dots and a wavy line. A third medallion featuring a lion, on top of a doe, in a circle. Both beasts facing left. The fourth and largest phalera is also the most ostentatious: once again, it shows the winged mythical creature with a griffin's head, slaying a stag. The coats of both animals exquisitely wrought to highlight the structure. The background finely stippled throughout. Four small eyelets on the back of each ornate silver disc to sew them on. Intact. Diameter 5.4 cm, 5.4 cm, 6.3 cm and 6.8 cm. Beautifully crafted and exceptionally rare set, the iconography of which is reminiscent of the motifs found in the gold treasure of Nagyszentmiklós. Provenance: From an old private collection in Vienna. Condition: II