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Fine Mayan Carved Stucco Cylinder Vase
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Pre Columbian:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 592753
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$4800.00
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This finely carved Mayan cylinder vase dates circa 600-800 A.D., and is from the northern Peten region. This piece is a tan terracotta and has the remnants of a stucco application; a purple stucco seen at the rim, and a blue stucco seen between the upper glyph band and the two registers below, and in the band that separates the two registers. The effect of the purple and blue stucco was to separate and highlight the carved sections of the piece. This stucco may have been added when the piece was made or long after it's production. The stucco does define this vessel as having an important religious function, as most Mayan stucco vessels have important glyphs and symbols. The glyph band seen at the top is a hieroglyphic text known as the Primary Standard Sequence (PSS). The PSS has been identified by Michael Coe as being comprized of thirty-five glyphs, with text length ranging from four to twenty-two glyphs that reflect underlying rules of sequencing and subtitution. The first part of the PSS has little variation, but the second part exhibits greater variability that is now known to reflect generalized glyphs and sometimes unique names and titles of specific owners/patrons of the vessel. The glyph band here is complex, and the thirteen glyphs within may name an important royal person, as this glyph band has not been deciphered and is unknown. What is known, is that the two registers below each show the Mayan God K "Kawil", seen within the cross-shaped Mayan symbol, who was the principle Mayan god that was particularly important to elite lineages and to rulers. His portrait glyph, as seen here, often appears in ruler's names. He forms the scepter that is seen in Mayan art relative to accession, blood sacrifice, and self-inflicted bloodletting. As one of the brothers of the "Palenque Triad", he was also associated with the connection of the Mayan elite with Xibalba, which was the Mayan spirit world. The cross-shaped symbol represents a Mayan doorway, or portal to Xibalba, and this symbol can be traced back to the Olmec. (See "The Ancient Americas", The Art Institute of Chicago Pub. 1992, and the article "Order and Nature in Olmec Art" by Beatriz Fuente, page 121.) This portal symbol seen here is rare relative to Mayan ceramics, and has been associated only with the most important of Mayan monuments such as the sarcophagus lid of Pacal in the Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque, Mexico that was discovered in 1949 by Alberto Ruz. God K and the portal symbol taken together, probably point to the fact that this piece was made only as a burial offering for an important Mayan noble, possibly of royal blood and may have been used in a Mayan blood ceremony. The added stucco seen on the vessel may also support this theory. This piece is finely carved, is in intact condition, and is of mint quality, save for two very minute stress cracks. The stucco seen on this piece is all original as well, and has root marking. One of the best Mayan carved stucco vessels of it's type. Ex: Private Florida collection. (Additional documentation is available to the purchaser.) I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Greek Silver Tetrobol of Olynthos with Apollo
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Greek:
Pre AD 1000 item# 593674
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$625.00
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This mint state silver tetrobol (four obols) was minted in northern Greece in the fortress city of Olynthos. This quality piece was minted circa 420-400 BC and is an early issue for the mint. The obverse has Apollo wearing a wreath and the reverse features his lyre. The name of Olynthos runs around the lyre. Olynthos was the center of the Chalkidian League and issued a series of coins with beautiful heads of Apollo. This classical period coin shows the early head of Apollo for the series, which is known as the "severe style". This style also best represents archaic period Greek sculpture. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Rare Etruscan Bronze Horse Amulet, 8th Century BC
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Pre AD 1000 item# 678982
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2675.00
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This extremely rare piece is a bronze horse that was cast in one solid piece. This piece is from the mysterious Etruscan culture and was made circa 8th century B.C. This piece is extremely early for the culture, and this can be seen relative to the artistic style with the elongated neck. This piece was probably part of a necklace that may have been votive, and was most likely thought to have been shamanistic in nature. The stylized horse seen here may have been created as a "spirit" type animal, and this may explain the design. The design of the piece may also be an early Geometric Period convention of art and may not have been intentional as well, but whatever the case, this piece is an extremely rare early Etruscan bronze. This piece had a hoop seen on the top part of the body and this connected the piece to the main body of the necklace by a hoop chain. The hoop seen on the top part of the body may also have been broken in antiquity in order to break the "mana" and/or magic of the piece, and consequently, this piece may also have been votive. There were probably several animals and/or amulets connected to the necklace, and this piece is analogous to a piece that is now seen in the Museo di Villa Giulia, Rome (Inventory no. 53438, listed as being found at Palestrina, dated circa 8th-6th century B.C.) The bronze animals seen in the Museo di Villa Giulia example are approximately one third of the size of the piece offered here. The Museo di Villa Giulia piece is the only known comparable to the piece offered here, and has hand-shaped amulets and small round shields that are connected to the necklace as well. The extremely rare piece offered here is approximately 2.75 inches long by 3 inches high. The dark green patina is superb with dark red highlights, and the dark red highlights are due to a high concentration of tin within the mix of metals. This piece is complete, except for the incomplete hoop, and it sits on a clear custom plexiglas base. Ex: F. Hirsch collection. Ex: Private German collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to culture, date, and condition:
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Ceremonial Chimu Silver Offering Bowl
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Pre Columbian:
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Pre AD 1000 item# 592720
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1275.00
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This Chimu silver offering bowl is quite attractive and dates circa 1100-1350 AD. This piece is approximately 7.4 inches long by 4.75 inches wide by 2.3 inches high. This silver vessel was hammered from one single sheet of metal, and was formed into the rectangular shape seen here. This piece is slightly thicker at the base, and has a slightly thinner outer edge. This rectangular shape runs concurrent and continually through many Pre-Columbian cultures, and this type of vessel is seen as early as the Olmec circa 400 BC. This shape allows one to easily hold the vessel in one hand, rather than both hands as a round vessel often requires, and two dimples were added on each side for an added grip. This piece was likely used in ceremonies, rather than being created as a votive type vessel, and this may also explain the design of this vessel. An additional dimple was added so that the vessel stands upright and does not fall over. There is also a cross hatch design seen on the upper rim that is often seen on Chimu silver vessels. (See Sotheby's Pre-Columbian, Nov. 2006, lot #296, that shows a Chimu silver beaker with a cross hatch design on the upper rim.) This piece has spotty black magnesian deposits and checkered metal from age. The condition of this vessel is mint, and it is intact. Ex: Jean-Eugene Lions collection, Geneva, Switzerland. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Mint Greek Attic Black-glazed Lekythos
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Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 824479
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1865.00
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This Greek Attic lekythos dates circa 5th century B.C. and is approximately 8.3 inches high. The condition of this exceptional piece is mint quality, with no repair and/or restoration. This piece has not been over cleaned as well, as there are attractive white calcite deposits that are seen on one side of the vessel. This piece has a deep black lustrous glaze on the main body, a beautiful multi-colored iridescent patina seen within the black glaze, black rays seen on the upper shoulder, and a red line seen above the black glaze on the body. This type of vessel held olive oil, and perhaps was sold along with the oil. This type of piece also served as a grave offering. The extended neck and flat mouth of this vessel allowed one great control of the oil as well. (For an analogous vessel see: Bonhams Antiquities, London, Oct. 2008, no.173.) Ex: Private English collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Near Eastern Luristan Bronze Armlet with Chevrons
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Near Eastern:
Metalwork:
Pre AD 1000 item# 862556
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$875.00
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This scarce piece is a bronze ring that is from the Luristan culture that dwelled in Western Iran, circa 1000-800 B.C., Iron Age II. This object was cast as one solid piece, is approximately 4.9 inches in diameter, and is very heavy, as it is approximately .5 inches thick. This beautiful piece is in superb condition and has an exceptional dark green patina with light brown and reddish highlights. This massive adornment was worn above the bicep on the upper arm, and was considered to be a very valuable object by this culture. This piece was likely clamped on the upper arm of a warrior individual who wore this piece for life, and this piece has a high degree of smooth wear on the inner surfaces, which is a good indication that the owner wore this piece for a considerable length of time. The Luristan culture was a tribal society of mixed small-scale agriculturalists and pastoralists, raising sheep and goats, many horses, and perhaps using chariots where the terrain permitted. The wealth of this culture was concentrated in the hands of a warrior aristocracy who patronized the metal smiths, and they considered bronze very valuable, as it could be fashioned over and over again into weapons. This culture was highly skilled in the arts of war, and perhaps only the Spartans could have been as skilled in the use of their weapons. This piece has attractive decorative chevrons and checker-band patterns that were engraved into the metal. These designs are also seen on the ceramics for the period. (For other bronze armlets of this type see: "Ancient Bronzes, Ceramics, and Seals" by P.R.S. Moorey, Los Angeles County Museum of Art Pub., 1981, nos. 611-613.) A custom stand is included. Ex: Private German collection. (Additional documentation is available to the purchaser.) I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Lively and Rare Roman Silver Griffin Vessel Leg
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Ancient World:
Roman:
Pre AD 1000 item# 886914
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2875.00
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This rare and lively piece is a cast Roman silver vessel leg in the form of a griffin. This exceptional piece dates circa 4th century A.D. and is approximately 3.4 inches high. This piece was cast via the "lost wax" technique, and as such, this piece is an individual work of art and is a solid heavy piece. The griffin was a composite mythical creature that was typically having a head, forepart, and wings like those of an eagle, and a body, hind legs, and tail like those of a lion. This piece has a lion's paw base, and the head and wings of an eagle. The wings served as an attachment support to a vessel that may have been made of bronze, as there are bronze deposits seen on the back side of each wing. This bronze vessel may have been supported by two additional silver griffin legs that would have formed a tripod base, but more likely, this bronze vessel may have been a square box, as the support wings seen at the back of this silver piece are set at a forty-five degree angle, and a silver griffin leg would have supported each corner of a square box. The griffin for the Hellenistic Greeks, was a creature that symbolized the destroying power of the gods, and for the Romans, the griffin came to symbolize a protective diety. In Roman art, the griffin was often applied in the decoration of friezes, and one of the finest was at the temple of Antoninus and Faustina in Rome. The use of a griffin, regarding the piece offered here, was probably regarded by the prior Roman owner as a protective type motif, and this vessel was a very valuable one, as the individual griffin support legs were made of silver, and other elements of this vessel could have been made of silver as well. An anlogous designed Roman griffin seen in the form of a bronze lamp handle is illustrated in "Die Welt Von Byzanz-Europas ostliches Erbe", by Herausgegeben von Ludwig Wamser, Theiss Pub., 2001, no. 340. The rare silver piece offered here is an exceptional example of late Roman art, as the face of the griffin has a very lively expression and this serves this piece well as a "protector" type piece. This piece has a dark to light grey patina, along with spotty bronze and minute dark black mineral deposits. This piece is mounted on a custom black plexiglas stand. Ex: Private Austria collection (1980's). Ex: Private German collection. (Additional documentation is available to the purchaser.) I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Roman Bronze Gladiatorial Ceremonial Sword Hilt
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Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 771544
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$6800.00
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This extremely rare piece is a Roman bronze sword hilt that is in the form of a feathered eagle's head. The eagle is the imperial symbol of Rome itself, and the eyes of the eagle appear to show an intense expression, and this reflects the hard profession of the Roman gladiator. This piece dates circa 1st-2nd century A.D. and is approximately 4.8 inches long by 2.6 inches high. This piece held an iron blade, and the base of the feathered eagle's neck supports a bust of Hercules, which serves as a hand guard. The bust of Hercules is seen with a lion's skin draped over his head, and this depiction of Hercules on a Roman weapon of this type is extremely rare, as Roman bronze sword hilts of this type normally depict a helmeted Minerva. ( For this type with the helmeted Minerva see Christie's Antiquities, London, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, Part II, April 2004, no. 173. ) The only other known example of an extremely rare Roman bronze weapon of this type, with the bust of Hercules, is seen in the National Museum Naples, Italy. ( Inventory no. 68308. ) This National Museum Naples example is thought to have come from Pompeii, which had a gladiatorial training school/barracks and one of the earliest gladiatorial amphitheatres in central Italy. This amphitheatre seated twenty thousand spectators, which was many for a small town such as Pompeii. ( For an overview of Pompeii see "Gladiators" by Michael Grant, Barnes and Noble Pub., 1995, pages 40-49.) The exceptional piece offered here may have been used for ceremonial events, as well as combat, and it is also quite possible that the Minerva and the Hercules bust types were used by different types of gladiatorial combatants. This piece is in superb condition for the type, and has a nice dark green patina with spotty red highlights. The box holding the iron blade has a small break seen at the bottom, and this may be battle damage. There is also some spotty wear in sections of the handle and this may also indicate long use of the weapon. An extremely rare weapon that is also a rare type. Mounted on a custom plexiglas display stand, and can easily be removed. Ex: Christie's Antiquities, London, Dec. 1991, no. 182. Ex: Axel Guttmann collection, Berlin, Germany. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Roman Bronze Chariot Ram with Cherub Figure
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Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 584400
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2800.00
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This interesting Roman bronze is a chariot fitting that was cast in one piece. This piece dates circa 2nd century AD and is approximately 4 inches high by 2.4 inches wide by 5 inches long. This piece has an even dark green patina and has heavy mineral deposits on the inside of the piece. This piece was mounted on a war chariot, probably at the front, as this piece was made as a ram that attached to the cross pieces of the chariot. The cherub has a lively, dream-like face, and was a common type seen on Roman armour, especially as a facing head type. This may also explain the design of this piece, with the cherub seen rising forward towards the front of the piece. This cherub may also be a representation of Silenus, who was the attendant of the Roman god of wine, Bacchus. This piece also has traces of iron oxide, as the piece was probably attached to the wooden cross pieces with iron pins. This piece is probably also Roman provincial, and may have been produced in modern day Germany. The artistic style of the cherub matches another piece of this type that is seen in the Trier Museum, Germany. A scarce Roman bronze that was cast as a solid, well designed work of arms. Ex: Private German collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Impressive Greek Silver Necklace with Intricate Design
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Antiques:
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Ancient World:
Greek:
Pre AD 1000 item# 854857
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$4675.00
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This impressive piece is a Hellenistic Greek silver necklace that dates circa 2nd century B.C. to the early 1st century A.D. This piece is approximately 21 inches in length, and is made from several strands of silver in an intricate interwoven pattern, resulting in a massive thick chain that is approximately .39 inches in diameter. The clasp is made from bronze and is very durable and can be used even today. There are two cylindrical terminal ends which attach to the bronze clasp, and these terminal ends have an attractive wire band "S" type pattern within. This "S" type pattern is a Hellenistic Greek convention of art as well. The central round hoop also has this pattern, and the round hoop may have framed a carved gem or perhaps an ancient coin. This piece could only have been owned by a wealthy individual, as it has an extremely high degree of workmanship very impressive visual appeal. There is also a small ancient repair seen on one side of the chain, and this piece may have been broken and subsequently repaired because of civil unrest. Another example of this type of piece was offered in Christie's Antiquities, London, Oct. 2006, no. 62 (L3,500.00-L5,500.00 Pounds estimates.). This piece is from the same collection as the example offered here, and both of these pieces are analogous to the example seen in "Ancient Gold: The Wealth of the Thracians" by I. Marazov, New York, 1998, p. 117, no. 36. The piece offered here may easily be worn today with some minor restoration, and a carved gem or coin can easily be added into the central round hoop. This piece is also a nice collectable as a piece of ancient jewelry, and is an important collectable as is. This silver piece has an attractive dark grey patina and the bronze hoop has a nice light green patina. A custom necklace case is included. Ex: Private German collection, Krefeld, Germany. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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