Monday 7 December 2015

Christie's Withdraws Zeus and Ganymede

Canosan figure showing Zeus and Ganymede
Source: Becchina Archive
Christie's New York have withdrawn a Canosan terracotta figure of Zeus and Ganymede from their December 9, 2015 sale (lot 36). It comes from 'an Important American Collection'. The reported collecting history is as follows:

  • with Boris Mussienko, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. 
  • William Froelich, New York, acquired from the above, 1981. 
  • with Fortuna Fine Arts, New York, acquired from the above, 1995. 
  • with Safani Gallery, New York. Acquired by the current owner from the above, 1999.


Yet there is documentation in the Becchina archive suggesting that this was in his possession in January 1995. Why is this part of the collecting history absent from the above list? Does Becchina sit between Froelich and Fortuna Fine Arts? What is the authenticated documentation that this figure was in the possession of Mussienko and Froelich?

Will Christie's be stating why this lot was withdrawn?

I am grateful to Glasgow University researcher, Dr Christos Tsirogiannis, for this information.

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