Specialties
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Superb Red Sandstone Stele Fragment: 8th-9th Century AD
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Indian Subcontinent:
India:
Pre AD 1000 item# 661705
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3675.00
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This superb red sandstone fragment is from central India and dates to the Post-Gupta period, circa 8th-9th Century A.D. This piece is approximately 16 inches high and is mounted on a custom metal stand. This piece may originally have been part of a stele and/or a temple. There is a section on the right side of this piece that is flat, and this side may have been the inner part of a doorway. There are also four smiling Nagas seen on this piece with intertwined serpent tails and cobra hoods above their heads. Their raised clasped hands are seen in the Anjali Mudra position, and they are positioned at an angle so that they view the person that would pass through the doorway. There is also an elaborate foliage pattern seen on the edge, and the overall design of this piece is very esoteric. There is an analogous piece that is seen in the Mr. and Mrs. Harold P. Ullman Collection and is published in "Art of the Indian Subcontinent From Los Angeles Collections", Ward Ritchie Press, 1968. This piece may be a part of the same building and/or stele, as this piece also forms part of a door jam. This piece, and the piece offered here, are both extremely fine examples of ancient Indian art and are in superb condition with clear detailed carving. These carvings are highly spiritual, and were intended to protect the viewer, as this was the reason for the depiction of the Nagas. A nice heavy piece with a high degree of spiritual feeling. Ex: Sotheby's New York, "Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art", March, 1990. Ex: Private Los Angeles 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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Near Eastern Sassanian Ellipsoid Pegasus Seal
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Near Eastern:
Stone:
Pre AD 1000 item# 598668
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$675.00
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This Sassanian seal has an image of Pegasus on the flat side and this piece dates circa 4th-5th century A.D. This seal was carved into a white chalcedony stone and it is translucent. This carving is very deep and the seal impression has high relief. This piece has an ellipsoid form with one flat side and it is in superb condition, with no cracks or chips. There are some spotty mineral deposits and the seal is very sharp. This piece was used for commercial transactions and was a personal seal. The Pegasus is a Greek image and was a mythical winged horse that sprung from the blood of Medusa, when Perseus had cut off her head. According to Ovid, Pegasus fixed his residence on Mount Helicon, where, by striking the ground with his foot, he instantly raised a fountain, which has been called the spring of Hippocrene. This seal shows Pegasus with a raised left front leg, and may be seen striking the ground. This piece was produced in modern day Iran and the chalcedony stone is native to the region. This piece is approximately .75 inches in diameter and is approximately .7 inches high. This seal is scarce with the Pegasus image. Ex: Joel Malter collection, Los Angeles, CA. Ex: Private California collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Superb Late Roman Storage Amphora
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 968766
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$765.00
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This superb piece is a late Roman storage amphora that dates circa 4th-5th century A.D. This piece is approximately 5 inches high and it is in mint condition, with no repair and/or restoration. This piece is made from a light tan terracotta and was coil made on a potter's wheel. There is also a lid that was form fitted to the top of the vessel when the clay was wet. This vessel also stands by itself, although the handles were made for suspension. This piece has some light gray to spotty dark black dendrites, along with some minute root marks that are seen on the inside surface of the vessel. The outside of this piece has some of these deposits as well, but are not as prevalent. This type of amphora was used to store grains, seeds, and other "dry" type goods. Larger examples of this type were used not only for storage, but also for transport. This piece has a high degree of eye appeal, and is seldom seen with it's accompanying lid. A custom display stand is included. Ex: Private Israeli collection. Ex: David Leibert collection, New York. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Rare Geometric Greek Bronze Ram Figurine
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 694678
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1275.00
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This rare Greek bronze ram dates from the Geometric period, circa 750 B.C. This charming piece is intact and is approximately 1.75 inches high by 1.7 inches long. This piece has a nice dark green patina and has spotty light brown/white mineral deposits. This piece is a standing ram, which is a much rarer type than the more often seen standing horse types for the period. The ram for the ancient Greeks represented vitality and wealth, was a favourite sacrificial animal, and was often associated with Hermes, patron deity of shepherds, travellers, and tradesmen. This association with Hermes is a strong indicator that this piece was probably a votive offering in some Greek sanctuary. (For an analogous designed piece see "More Animals in Ancient Art From the Leo Mildenberg Collection", by Kozloff, Arielle and Mitten, David Gordon, Verlag Philipp Von Zabern pub., Mainz, Germany 1986, no.53. The example noted here also has an extended tail, tapered body, and square shoulders as the piece offered here. For another example, see "Art of the Ancient World", Vol. XII, 2001, no. 52. Said to be from Thessaly, circa 8th century B.C., 2 inches long. Listed at $4,750.00. Ex: Spencer Churchill collection. ) The complete piece offered here was cast as one solid piece, as were the other two examples noted above, and was made to stand by itself which it does. This piece is mounted on a custom stand and can easily be removed. Ex: Private English collection. Ex: New York private collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Cute Roman Bronze Resting Dog: X-Mildenberg
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 769690
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$965.00
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This cute Roman bronze dog dates circa 2nd-3rd century A.D., and is approximately 1.7 inches long. This little Roman bronze dog is seen resting on the ground and looks very relaxed. This type of piece was collected by Leo Mildenberg of Zurich, Switzerland, who built a collection of ancient animal art. His collection were all of animals that did not display any signs of violence, and this piece is a prime example. There is minute detail seen on this piece and the hair, eyes, ears, and other features are readily seen. This type of dog is a breed that one can see today, and appears to be a mixed breed. This dog also appears to have some age, and probably was an old trusted and loyal pet. This piece has an attractive dark green patina with some spotty light brown mineral deposits, and has some heavy light brown mineral deposits on the bottom of the flat base. There is also a mounting prong seen extended from the bottom base, and this piece may have been part of a figural group. The mounting prong extends down into the custom wooden base, and this piece can easily be removed. Ex: Leo Mildenberg collection, Zurich. Ex: Private Swiss collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Lovely Greek Attic Kylix: Floral Band-Cup Group
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 961593
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2,875.00
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This lovely vessel is a Greek Attic kylix that dates circa 480-450 B.C. This piece is approximately 3 inches high by 8.75 inches handle to handle. This piece is intact and is in mint condition, with no restoration and/or repair. This piece is attributed to the "Floral Band-Cup Group", which was produced by a Greek Attic workshop circa mid 6th century B.C. until 450 B.C. (For other examples see S.J. Beazley, "Attic Red-Figure Vase Painters", Oxford, 1963.) The piece offered here is better than most examples, as it has an elegant esoteric shape, is thin walled, and has very vibrant colors. This piece is decorated with a row of palmate leaves in black glaze, with white dot and violet stem detail. This palmate design is the hallmark of the "Floral Band-Cup Group", and the painted design seen on this vessel is very detailed. The center tondo has a black dot center with an outer circle, and the handles are rectangular and are finely made. This piece has a great deal of eye appeal and is a little gem. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Attractive Greek Canosan Amphora
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 958675
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1,675.00
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This attractive vessel is a Greek Canosan amphora which dates to the Hellenistic period, circa early 3rd century B.C. This intact piece is approximately 15.5 inches high, and is in superb condition. This piece is also in an "as found" condition, as there are heavy black spotty deposits seen on various sections, along with tan earthern deposits seen at the base and the inner top surface. This piece also had some paint that was added to the vessel after it was fired, and there are some minor traces of light blue pigment. This piece was also votive and did not hold any liquid, as there is a vent hole seen on the inner base. This piece is a nice attractive form which is a classic Greek design. Ex: Joel Malter collection, Los Angeles. Ex: Private CA. collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Roman Bronze Gladiatorial Ceremonial Sword Hilt
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
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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Large Attic Black-Figure Siana Cup: Taras Painter
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 943529
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3875.00
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This attractive large piece is a scarce Greek Attic Siana cup that dates circa 550-540 B.C. This piece is approximately 5.25 inches high, by 10 inches in diameter at the rim, and by 13 inches width across the handles. This piece has also been attributed to the Taras Painter, and a near identical example of the same size and condition was offered by Sotheby's Antiquities, London, July 1994, no. 297. (L2,500.00-L3,000.00 estimates, L2,530.00 realized.) The piece offered here has been repaired from about 6 large fragments and is 100% original, with no apparent fill in sections. This piece and the piece noted above, both have a double frieze of ivy leaves between the handles, and an alternating black and red tongue pattern band on the outer base of the cup. This piece has a small area of glaze roughness on the inside lip and on the outer lip, and both of these areas are on the same side of the vessel, which is an indication of a burial pattern. There is no overpaint on this piece and it is in its natural "as found" condition. Siana cups are scarce, and are named after several examples that were found at Siana on the island of Rhodes. The shape was first developed by Attic potters, and were planned for a balance of light and dark, and this type of decoration was influenced by the archaic ceramics produced at Corinth. The one distinct feature that this type of vessel has, is the elegant curved base-stem that reaches up in support of the large bowl. For this type of vessel see "Attic Black-Figured Pottery" by Robert Folsom, Noyes Classical Studies Pub., New Jersey, 1975, and "Simply Decorated: Black Siana Cups by the Taras Painter and Cassel Cups", by H.A.G. Brijder, Bulletin Antieke Beschaving, vol. 68, 1993, pp. 129-145. Ex: Private New York collection. 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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Greek Bronze Caltrop War Spike: 4th century B.C.
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 592140
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1275.00
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This scarce piece is a Greek bronze spike that is in the form of a jack. This piece dates circa 4th century BC and is approximately 2.5 inches high. This piece is known as a "caltrop" and was used on the battlefield against tightly packed infantry and cavalry formations. This piece was spread out in an area that was in need of protection, and was an effective weapon when hundreds of these would be strategically placed in an area unknown to the enemy. This weapon was especially effective against cavalry, and placing these pieces was such that whatever way it chanced to fall, one spike would always point upwards. In the battle of Gaugamela circa 331 BC, Alexander the Great had advance knowledge that Darius had planted these in the soil. The surface caltrop seen here was easy to distribute, but the buried ones must have been more insidious, as even the type seen here would stop a man or a horse in his tracks. In reality, this piece may be the world's first anti-personal mine. It may also be that Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, first developed this weapon. At the battle of Chaeronea circa 338 BC, the combined armies of Athens and Thebes met the Macedonian army under Philip II and his son, Alexander. Philip easily won the day with his force of heavily equipped cavalry, and historians have had trouble explaining exactly why the Athenian cavalry did not effectively get into the action. It may be because of the weapon seen above, as the Athenian cavalry was known to have been stationed on the wings of the Athenian infantry formation, and may have mounted an attack on the Macedonian wing where this weapon could have been spread. On the other hand, the Macedonian heavy cavalry attacked into the gaps in the center of the Athenian and Theban force. If this scenario is true, then this weapon could have changed the face of history in a bigger way than what is now known. These pieces are now rare to extremely rare, as after a battle they were collected to be used again or melted down into another object. This piece has a dark green patina with some calcite deposits and was cast as one piece. An interesting and rare ancient work of armour. Ex: Private English collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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