Looting Matters: The Graham Geddes Collection at Auction

Monday, 29 September 2008

The Graham Geddes Collection at Auction

As we look forward to the sale of the Graham Geddes collection at Bonhams in London this October, I though that it would be useful to review some of the recent sales of items from this Australian collection. The examples listed here were auctioned at Christie's.

Attic

New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 9 December 2005, lot 238. AN ATTIC RED-FIGURED CALYX-KRATER THE L.C. GROUP. Pre-Lot Text: ANCIENT VASES FROM THE COLLECTION OF WILLIAM SUDDABY. Provenance: with Graham Geddes, Australia, circa 1970s.

Apulian

Bell-krater

New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, lot 127. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE BELL-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE TRURO PAINTER. Pre-Lot Text: Property of a Melbourne Private Collector. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 10-11 December 1984, lot 364; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 10 December 1996, lot 187. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, part I, no26a. Exhibited: The Borchardt Library, La Trobe University, Melbourne, 1988-1994
New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, Lot 140. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE BELL-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE PAINTER OF THE LONG OVERFALLS. Pre-Lot Text: PROPERTY OF AN AUSTRALIAN PRIVATE COLLECTION. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 12-13 December 1983, lot 534b; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, part I, no. 4/107a.
New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, lot 142. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE BELL-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE PAINTER OF THE LONG OVERFALLS. Provenance: Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, part I, no. 4/110f; Schauenberg, "Herakles und Eulen," RM, 1985, p.45, pl. 85-86,2-3.
New York, Park Avenue: 5 June 1998, Lot 239 ($3220) = New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 10 December 2004, Lot 501 ($5975). AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE BELL-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE DECHTER PAINTER. Provenance: Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; The Property of an Australian Collector; Christie's, New York, 5 June 1998, lot 239; The Property of a Louisiana Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, The Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, no. 10/79b, pl. XI, 3-4.
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 12 December 2002, lot 141. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURED BELL-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE TARPORLEY PAINTER. Provenance: Macciolli Collection, Melbourne, 1984; BGM Collection, Melbourne, 1988-1994; Graham Geddes Collection, Melbourne, 1994. Literature: Trendall, "Two bell-kraters in Melbourne by the Tarporley Painter" in Studies Cambitoglou; Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to The Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, Part I, no. 3/4a. Exhibited: On loan, La Trobe University, Melbourne, 1988-2002

Calyx-krater

New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 8 June 2001, lot 169. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURED CALYX-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE UNDERWORLD PAINTER. Pre-Lot Text: VARIOUS PROPERTIES. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 10 December 1984, lot 365; Private Collection, 1984-1994; Graham Geddes Collection, 1994-present. Literature: Trendall, "Two Apulian Calyx-Kraters with Representations of Amphion and Zethos" in Enthousiasmos Vol. 6, Festschrift Hemelrijk, Allard Pierson Series, pp. 157-166; Heger, "Dirke" in LIMC, III, p. 636, no. 6, pl. 505,5; Trendall, Red Figure Vases of South Italy and Sicily, no. p. 91, no. 211; Trendall, "On the Divergence of South Italian from Attic Red-figure Vase-painting," pl. 24,4 in Descoeudres, ed., Greek Colonists and Native Populations; Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, Part I, no. 18/318a.
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 8 June 2001. lot 170. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURED CALYX-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE DARIUS PAINTER. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 13-14 December 1982, lot 291; Private Collection, 1982-1994; Graham Geddes Collection, 1994-present. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, Supplement I, no. 18/64d; Trendall, "Two Apulian Calyx-Kraters with Representations of Amphion and Zethos" in Enthousiasmos, Festchrift Hemelrijk, Vol. 6, Allard Pierson Series, pp. 157-166. Exhibited: Museum of Mediterranean Antiquities, Monash University, Melbourne, on loan 1994-2001

Column-krater

New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, lot 132. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE COLUMN-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE PATERA PAINTER. Pre-Lot Text: Property of a Melbourne Private Collector. Provenance: Brought to England prior to 1920; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 13-14 July 1981, lot 350; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 10 December 1996, lot 181.
New York, Park Avenue: 5 June 1998, lot 236. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE COLUMN-KRATER, A-SIDE ATTRIBUTED TO THE BALTIMORE PAINTER, B-SIDE ATTRIBUTED TO THE STOKE ON TRENT PAINTER. Provenance: Property of a Nobleman, brought to England prior to 1920; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 13 July 1981, lot 347; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 8 December 1994, lot 157. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, The Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, vol. II, no. 27/224a, pl. 339, 5-6.

Volute-krater

New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, Lot 128. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE VOLUTE-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE PAINTER OF COPENHAGEN 4223. Pre-Lot Text: PROPERTY OF AN AUSTRALIAN PRIVATE COLLECTOR. Provenance: Once Swiss Market; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 11 December 1984, lot 599; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, First Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, no.17/40c; Schauenburg, "Flügelgestalten auf unteritalischen Grabvasen," JdL 102, p.205, fig.6-7.
New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, lot 129. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE VOLUTE-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE DE SCHULTHESS PAINTER. Pre-Lot Text: Property of a Melbourne Private Collector. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 12 December 1988, lot 165; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, no. 17/76, pl. xxxii,1-2; Schauenburg, "Flügelgestalten auf unteritalischen Grabvasen," JdI, 1987, pp. 199-282.
New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, Lot 130. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE VOLUTE-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE PAINTER OF BM F281. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 23 May 1988, lot 216; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 10 December 1996, lot 197. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, part I, no. 17/62a, pl. XXXI, 5-6.
New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, Lot 135. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE VOLUTE-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE SAMARCANDE GROUP, ASSOCIATED WITH THE PAINTER OF THE MACINAGROSSA STAND. Pre-Lot Text: Property of a Melbourne Private Collector. Provenance: Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 10 December 1996, lot 196. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, part II, no. 27/574, pl. lxxxi,1-2.
New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, Lot 136. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE VOLUTE-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE PAINTER OF TARANTO 7013. Provenance: German Market; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 19 May 1986, lot 316; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, The Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, vol. II, no. 28/39a.
New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, lot 137. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE VOLUTE-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE PAINTER OF BERLIN F 3383. Pre-Lot Text: PROPERTY OF AN AUSTRALIAN PRIVATE COLLECTOR. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 10-11 December 1984, lot 600; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red- Figured Vases of Apulia, no. 28/64e; Schauenburg, "Zur zwei Krateren des Malers von Berlin F 3383" in Festschrift Himmelmann, 1989, pl. 37,2-3.
New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1998, Lot 106. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE VOLUTE-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE GROUP OF COPENHAGEN 4223. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 21 May 1984, lot 408; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 8 December 1994, lot 330. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, The Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, no. 17/50-10, pl. xxx, 3.
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 12 June 2002, Lot 39. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURED VOLUTE-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE BALTIMORE PAINTER. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 11 July 1988, lot 184; Bongiorno Collection, Melbourne, 1988-1994; Buxton Collection, Melbourne, 1994-1998; Geddes Collection, Melbourne, 1994-present. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to The Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, Part II, no. 27/11b. Exhibited: University of Melbourne, 1990-1998

Amphora

New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, Lot 133. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE AMPHORA ATTRIBUTED TO THE BALTIMORE PAINTER. Pre-Lot Text: PROPERTY OF AN AUSTRALIAN PRIVATE COLLECTOR. Provenance: Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red Figured Vases of Apulia, part II, no. 27/40c, pl. lxxiii,1; Schauenberg, "Baltimoremaler und Bellerophon" in Jb. Musem K. und G., Hamburg, 3, 1984, p. 36, fig. 39.

Pelike

New York, Park Avenue: 5 June 1998, lot 233. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE PELIKE ATTRIBUTED TO THE SIREN CITHARIST. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 9 December 1988, lot 171; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 8 December 1994, lot 328. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, The First Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, no. 18/334b1; Schauenburg, JdI 104, 1989, pl. 22, pp. 1-60.

Loutrophoros

New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, Lot 131. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE LOUTROPHOROS ATTRIBUTED TO THE PATERA PAINTER. Pre-Lot Text: PROPERTY OF AN AUSTRALIAN PRIVATE COLLECTOR. Provenance: Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, part II, no. 23/52-1, pl. lix,1.
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 12 December 2002, Lot 145. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURED LOUTROPHOROUS (TYPE III=BARREL AMPHORA) ATTRIBUTED TO THE WHITE SACCOS PAINTER, CIRCA 320-310 B.C. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 13 July 1987, lot 309; Graham Geddes Collection, Melbourne, 1987. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to The Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, Part II, no. 29/4-1. Exhibited: On loan, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 1988-2002

Hydria

New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, Lot 134. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE HYDRIA ATTRIBUTED TO THE BALTIMORE PAINTER. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 10-11 December 1984, lot 368; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, part II, no. 27/52d.

Skyphos

New York, Park Avenue 5 June 1998: lot 237. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE SKYPHOS ATTRIBUTED TO THE FOGG GROUP. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 13 July 1981, lot 353; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 8 December 1994, lot 304. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, The First Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, 30/53a.
New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1998, Lot 105. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE SKYPHOS ATTRIBUTED TO THE LIVERPOOL PAINTER. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 19 May 1986, lot 159; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 8 December 1994, lot 329. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, no. 21/297b.
New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, Lot 143. AN APULIAN RED-FIGURE SKYPHOS ATTRIBUTED TO THE FOGGIA/BASSANO GROUP. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 10-11 December 1984, lot 597; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall and Cambitoglou, Second Supplement to the Red-Figured Vases of Apulia, part II, no. 30/26d, pl.cvii,5.

Lucanian

New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 12 December 2002, Lot 142. A LUCANIAN RED-FIGURED BELL-KRATER ATTRIBUTED TO THE ANABATES PAINTER, CIRCA 380 B.C. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 23 May 1988, lot 220; BGM Collection, Melbourne, 1988-1994; Graham Geddes Collection, Melbourne, 1994. Exhibited: On loan, Monash University, Melbourne, 1989-2002

Paestan

New York, Park Avenue: 18 December 1997, Lot 149. A PAESTAN RED-FIGURE LEBES GAMIKOS ATTRIBUTED TO THE ASTEAS/PYTHON WORKSHOP. Provenance: Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 21 May 1984, lot 372; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection. Literature: Trendall, The Red-figured Vases of Paestum, no. 6/192, pl. 78c-d.
New York, Park Avenue: 5 June 1998, lot 245 ($4600) = New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 10 December 2004, lot 494 ($10,158). A PAESTAN RED-FIGURE AMPHORA ATTRIBUTED TO THE PAINTER OF WURZBURG H 5379. Provenance: Anonymous sale; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 9 December 1985, lot 367; Melbourne, Graham Geddes Collection; Antiquities, Sotheby's London, 8 December 1994, lot 159; The Property of an Australian Collector; Christie's, New York, 5 June 1998, lot 245; The Property of a Louisiana collection. Literature: Trendall, The Red-Figured Vases of Paestum, no. 381, pl. 119, c-d.

Marble sarcophagi

New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 11 June 2003, Lot 220. A ROMAN MARBLE CHILD'S SARCOPHAGUS FRAGMENT. Provenance: Macciolli Collection, Melbourne, 1983; Graham Geddes Collection, Melbourne, 1985. Exhibited: Monash University, Melbourne, 1995-2002

Mosaics

New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 5 - 6 December 2001, lot 680. A ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL: goddess. Provenance: Australian Private Collection, prior to 1980; Graham Geddes Collection, 1980-present. Exhibited: Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, July 1982-June 1984; Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, July 1985-June 1986; Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, Classics Department, January 1988-December 1989
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 5 - 6 December 2001, lot 681. A ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL: 'Africa'. Provenance: Australian Private Collection, prior to 1980; Graham Geddes Collection, 1980-present. Exhibited: Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, July 1982-June 1984; Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, July 1985-June 1986; Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, Classics Department, January 1988-December 1989
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 5 - 6 December 2001, lot 682. A ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL: 'Phrgyian cap'. Provenance: Australian Private Collection, prior to 1980; Graham Geddes Collection, 1980-present. Exhibited: Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, July 1982-June 1984; Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, July 1985-June 1986; Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, Classics Department, January 1988-December 1989
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 5 - 6 December 2001, lot 683. A ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL: goddess. Provenance: Australian Private Collection, prior to 1980; Graham Geddes Collection, 1980-present. Exhibited: Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, July 1982-June 1984; Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, July 1985-June 1986; Melbourne, the University of Melbourne, Classics Department, January 1988-December 1989
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 11 June 2003, lot 226. A ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL. Provenance: Australian Private Collection, prior to 1980; Graham Geddes Collection, 1980-present. Exhibited: The University of Melbourne, July 1982-June 1984 and July 1985-June 1986; The University of Melbourne, Classics Department, January 1988-December 1989
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 11 June 2003, lot 229. A BYZANTINE MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL. Provenance: Graham Geddes Collection. Exhibited: The University of Melbourne, 1982-1989
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 11 June 2003, lot 230. A LATE ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL. Provenance: Graham Geddes Collection. Exhibited: The University of Melbourne, 1982-1989
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 11 June 2003, Lot 232. A BYZANTINE MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL. Provenance: Graham Geddes Collection. Exhibited: The University of Melbourne, 1982-1989
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 11 December 2003, lot 245: A ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL. Provenance: European Private Collection, prior to 1980; Graham Geddes Collection, 1980-present. Exhibited: Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, July 1982 - June 1984; July 1985 - June 1986; (Classics Department) January 1988 - December 1989.
New York, Rockefeller Plaza: 11 December 2003, lot 251. TWO ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANELS. Provenance: European Private Collection, prior to 1980; Graham Geddes Collection, 1980-present. Exhibited: Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, July 1982 - June 1984; July 1985 - June 1986; (Classics Department) January 1988 - December 1989.

The sources are: