Ancient CyprusAncient Cyprus

Consul / diplomat · Collector · Dealer

G. Philimon

fl. 1894–1897 · Greece

Consul at Larnaca from 1894 to 1897 whose collection of Cypriot antiquities was bought by the Archaeological Society of Athens and given to the National Archaeological Museum.

Biography

The most important single acquisition in the Cypriot holdings of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens came from G. Philimon, who had served as consul in Larnaca from 1894 to 18971. The museum's history names him and gives his post, but not the state he represented. Nothing is recorded of his birth, his death, or how he put the collection together.

The Archaeological Society of Athens bought the collection for 8,500 drachmas and gave it to the museum, where it is registered under inventory numbers 11800 to 12035 and 12038 to 120731. A little later more vases, limestone sculptures and terracottas were bought from him for 500 drachmas, under inventory numbers 12198 to 12217. They include bearded heads (cat. 179 and 180), a female votive terracotta (cat. 193), two further heads (cat. 178 and 233) and a kouros (cat. 197)1. The years of the two sales are not given.

Life and work

  1. 1894–1897
    Served as consul at Larnaca (nationality of the consulate not stated; Greek implied by context).

    LarnacaKarageorghis 2003, p. 13

  2. 1894–c. 1900
    His collection was purchased by the Archaeological Society of Athens for 8,500 drachmas and ceded to the National Archaeological Museum (inv. 11800-12035, 12038-12073). The year of sale is not given.

    AthensKarageorghis 2003, p. 13

  3. 1895–c. 1905
    'A little later', further vases, limestone sculptures and terracottas bought from him for 500 drachmas (inv. 12198-12217), including bearded heads cat. 179-180, female votive terracotta cat. 193, heads cat. 178 and 233, kouros cat. 197. Buyer not named in the text (Society or Museum).

    AthensKarageorghis 2003, p. 13

Objects

  • Philimon collection, Cypriote vases and other antiquities

    National Archaeological Museum, Athens 11800-12035, 12038-12073Karageorghis 2003, p. 13

  • Further vases, limestone sculptures, terracottas

    National Archaeological Museum, Athens 12198-12217Karageorghis 2003, p. 13

  • Gypsum statue of a kouros, end of 6th c. BC, H. 47.5 cm; text says it was given to the Museum by 'M. Philimon', 'a general collector of Greek antiquities'; findspot in Cyprus uncertain

    National Archaeological Museum, Athens 4505Karageorghis 2003, p. 113

Sources

  1. 1.V. Karageorghis (2003). Ancient Cypriote Art in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens. Athens, Kapon Editions, for the A. G. Leventis Foundation.