LONDON.- Kallos Gallery returns to Frieze Masters (5 to 8 October 2017) with an outstanding selection of ancient art, representing the impressive breadth and diversity of works offered by the gallery. From rare Egyptian, Greek and Roman sculptures to curated groups of ancient jewellery, coins and glass, the exhibition represents over 3,000 years of civilisation featuring works of art formerly held in renowned collections including those of Arthur Richard Wellesley, 2nd Duke of Wellington (1807-1884), Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein (1840- 1929), Sir Philip Sassoon (1888-1939) and Marion Schuster (1902-1982).

Madeleine Perridge, Gallery Director: “Following on from last year’s Frieze Masters, our art fair debut, this year we’ve selected objects which showcase both the diversity and range of objects offered at the gallery, and our primary focus on handling only works of the finest quality. Last year the fair put us in front of a big crowd of international collectors, many of whom weren’t established collectors in this area. Amidst the variety of what was on offer, it was fascinating to see that the common denominator for collectors is their attraction to quality, and we look forward to trying to tempt them again this year with a selection of exceptional and storied works from the ancient world.”

A leading highlight is a rare and important Roman marble torso of Artemis of Ephesus, carved circa 1st century AD. This is a notably early and large copy of the magnificent cult statue that once stood in the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Such was the renown of the statue that it is mentioned in the Bible: “Doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?” (Acts 19:35).

Another notable highlight is a Roman marble theatre mask acroterion (circa 3rd century AD), one of the finest to come to the market in recent years. It was previously owned by the politician and collector Sir Philip Sassoon (1888-1939) who kept it at his home, Port Lympne Mansion in Kent; he earned a reputation as one of Britain’s greatest hosts entertaining many notable and celebrity guests of the day including King George V, Winston Churchill, Lawrence of Arabia, George Bernard Shaw, and countless others.

One of the most important works of art is a very striking and large Amlash terracotta steatopygous female idol (Iran, late 2nd century - early 1st millennium BC). Formerly part of the eminent collection of the late Marion Schuster of Lausanne, Switzerland, similar examples can be found in the Toledo Museum of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian. The Schuster Collection was renowned for its quality; it also included a magnificent Cycladic sculpture by ‘the Schuster Master’ which was sold at auction at Christie’s in New York in 2010 for $16.9 million.

The exhibition will include a striking Lucanian red-figure bell krater attributed to the Amykos Painter (circa 420-400 BC) formerly in the collection of Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein (1840-1929). Although little is known about the life of the Amykos Painter (active around 430-400BC), he was a prolific artist renowned for his red-figure pottery technique. His individual and independent style influenced numerous followers and examples of his work can be seen in notable collections including those of the British Museum and the Louvre. Representing Egyptian art is a limestone sculptor’s model thought to depict Ptolemy III, circa 3rd – 1st Century BC. Created as a test piece or instructive example, there is evidence that these models may have later served have later served as votives.

Highlighting a selection of ancient jewellery is an Italic banded agate intaglio from circa 3rd-2nd century BC set in a modern gold ring. The intaglio measures 2.5 cm and shows a central figure identified as Diana Nemorensis, or Diana of Nemi. The goddess is dressed in a long chiton, standing by an altar, with a deer at her side and holding the Golden Bough. The selection of jewellery will also include two rings formerly in the collection of Arthur Richard Wellesley, 2nd Duke of Wellington (1807-1884). The first is an Italic banded agate intaglio set in an antique gold ring, circa 1st century BC, and the second is a Roman Chromium Chalcedony intaglio also set in an antique gold ring, circa 1st century AD.