A daunian stele
7th – 6th century BC; alt. cm 62; A daunian stele on a rectanguar limestone slab, with some fragments missing. The decoration is incised and arranged over various horizontal and vertical strips that frame a central band in which stylized male and female figures are depicted in procession.
The decoration consists of geometric motifs and concentric circles. The circles, which have dots incised at their centres and a vertical band extending from their edges are particularly interesting. They could be an array of various kymbala, a sort of magical bell used to ward off evil spirits, or opium poppies, which were used widely in the daunian civilization, especially in the religious sphere.

PROVENANCE:
English private collection, purchased in 2000s from Herakles Numismatik und Antiquitäten GmbH (München); previously acquired on the European art market in the 1970s.

Estimate: GBP: 4.500-5.500