Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 528 30 Nov 2022
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SICILY, Katane. Circa 435-412 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 15.38 g, 1h). Reverse die "signed" by the "Maestro della foglia". Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving fast quadriga of horses right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with wreath / Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath; plane leaf to left (signature). Mirone –; HGC 2, 572; SNG ANS 1256; SNG Lloyd 898; Gillet 392; Gulbenkian 185 = Jameson 541; Pozzi 417; Rizzo pl. XII, 11; Leu 42, lot 92 (same obv. die); Schweizerische Kreditanstalt 3, lot 105 (same dies). Dark find patina, some encrustation, areas of roughness, crystallized, minor tooling. VF.
During the second half of the 5th century the design of the Katanian tetradrachms underwent a radical change with the introduction of a racing chariot on the obverse and a head of Apollo on the reverse. While reflecting dramatic stylistic developments, these types were to remain relatively unchanged down to the time of the capture of the city in 404 BC by Dionysios, tyrant of Syracuse, who sold the population into slavery. The "Maestro della foglia" or "Master of the Leaf" is the appellation that Rizzo gave to the master engraver who began the transformation of Katanian coin design. The driver and horses come alive, as if they truly are trying to win the race, rather than merely posing. The face of Apollo begins to carry a hint of a bemused expression, and his locks of hair become more unruly. Over the course of the next decade the successors to this master – Euainetos, Herakleidas, and Choirion – would produce their own unrivaled masterpieces.
During the second half of the 5th century the design of the Katanian tetradrachms underwent a radical change with the introduction of a racing chariot on the obverse and a head of Apollo on the reverse. While reflecting dramatic stylistic developments, these types were to remain relatively unchanged down to the time of the capture of the city in 404 BC by Dionysios, tyrant of Syracuse, who sold the population into slavery. The "Maestro della foglia" or "Master of the Leaf" is the appellation that Rizzo gave to the master engraver who began the transformation of Katanian coin design. The driver and horses come alive, as if they truly are trying to win the race, rather than merely posing. The face of Apollo begins to carry a hint of a bemused expression, and his locks of hair become more unruly. Over the course of the next decade the successors to this master – Euainetos, Herakleidas, and Choirion – would produce their own unrivaled masterpieces.