5th-4th century BC. A bronze Scythian-Olbian type handled mirror, formed with discoid head with raised rim and bifacial fluted columnar handle surmounted by a standing animal, possibly a panther, with round, dished ears, large muzzle and curled tail; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Trofimova, A., Greeks on the Black Sea: ancient art from the Hermitage, J. Paul Getty Museum, 2007, item 29j; See Leypunskaya, N. A., Olbian-Scythian Trade: Exchange Issues in the Sixth to Fourth Centuries BC, Oxford, 2007, for discussion.1.8 kg total, 43cm including stand (17"). Acquired by the current owner in London in 2007; formerly in the private collection of Mr M. B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1960s; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10490-170706. The so-called 'Olbian type' mirror is named after the Greek city Olbia, which appears to have had a dynamic commercial exchange with the Scythian world between the sixth and fourth centuries BC. The Olbian mirrors are recognised as central to this trade network and their origin has been widely discussed by the academic community. It remains disputed whether the mirrors were made by Scythians near the river Dnieper, or whether they were Olbian. Leypunskaya (2007) suggests that Olbian bronze-work, including these mirrors, was created for trade with Scythians, drawing on popular animal-style designs to target a Scythian audience.