Object Information

This acquisition falls within two exceptions. First, based on the results of provenance research, the Art Institute of Chicago can make an informed judgment that the object was outside its probable country of modern discovery before 1970. The collection of fifty-eight objects was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Alexander in 1985 from Ariadne Galleries of New York, New York. According to Mrs. Walter Alexander, the owner of Ariadne Galleries reported to her that he purchased the entire collection from George Zakos of Basel, Switzerland, around 1975, and that it was his understanding that Mr. Zakos had owned the objects for at least ten years. The Art Institute of Chicago has been unable to confirm this information with Mr. Zakos, as he is now deceased. Second, the collection was promised to the Art Institute of Chicago prior to 2008. On at least two occasions prior to 2005, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander communicated their intention to gift the entire collection to the Art Institute of Chicago to Karen Manchester, Chair and McIlvaine Curator of Ancient and Byzantine Art. These communications are documented in the curatorial files of the Art Institute of Chicago. The acquisition of these objects furthers the representation of the artistic achievements of all civilizations in art museums because they are fine examples of cast bronze offerings from the Geometric Period.