Greek collection treasures make for appealing auction

An eclectic collection of antiquities and other treasures, which had its origins in early 20^th century Greece, will be auctioned by Mossgreen from noon Wednesday September 20 at 926-930 High Street, Armadale.

In 1912, George Paschalis founded the Archaephylakion Museum in Samos following the fall of the Ottoman Empire to protect and house the cultural heritage of the Greek island.

Despite being a private collection, it was open to the public until the 1980s when it was taken over by the Greek Government and expanded to include the Pythagorean Museum in a separate building.

During World War II, George’s grandson Nick Paschalis (1916-1948) was seconded to the British Army where, following his deployment to Palestine and Egypt, he added to the museum collection.

Nick settled in Cairo and later Alexandria where aged 32 he finally succumbed to his war injuries.

Family descendant Dr William Galanos and his wife have inherited the collection, which will be on display at their home Gordon House 104 Park Street, South Yarra prior to auction. Viewing is 11am-5pm Monday and Tuesday.

Among the antiquities on offer is a 25^th Dynasty 6^th century B.C. Egyptian stone shabti of the pharaoh Taharqa complete with bands of hieroglyphics and a circa 2400 B.C. Old Kingdom Egyptian carved wooden figure of Bes, the protector of mothers and childhood.

Particularly impressive is the Lucanian red figure bell krater from 400-300 B.C., which could not be obtained overseas for the $15,000-$18,000 catalogue estimate placed on it.

Auction goers will no doubt be fascinated by rectangular Roman geometric mosaic floor panels from the 4^th-5^th century A.D. and a Chinese pottery figure of a prancing horse from the Northern Wei Dynasty circa 386-534 A.D.

Other attractions include a small circa 1800 George III mahogany drum table and American artist Frank Bogg’s (1855-1926) painting Rue de Rivoli et le tour de St Jacques, Paris.