Rare Greek vases expected to sell for pounds 1m

A COLLECTION of ancient Greek vases is expected to raise more than pounds 1m at Sotheby's in London next month.

The 64 vases from the Hirschmann Collection, to be sold on 9 December, are the most significant works of their kind to be offered for more than 10 years. Two extremely rare sixth-century Caeretan vases are expected to sell for about pounds 200,000. The other works include, (left) an Etruscan work from about 520BC depicting a ring dance of male revellers, (estimate pounds 10,000-pounds 15,000); (above) an Attic vase with an open-mouthed satyr (pounds 18,000-pounds 20,000) and (right) an Attic white-ground lekythos, a vase used in funeral rites, showing the fallen warrior's family (pounds 50,000-pounds 60,000).

(Photographs omitted)