Specialties
|
Impressive Greek Silver Necklace with Intricate Design
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pre AD 1000 item# 854857
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$4675.00
|
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 and was made from a valuable material in antiquity. This piece was also very impressive in antiquity, as well as today, because of it's intrinsic 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.). The Christie's example cited here is also 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:
|
|
Lively and Rare Roman Silver Griffin Vessel Leg
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Pre AD 1000 item# 886914
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2875.00
|
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:
|
|
Large Chinese Cizhou Jar with Carved Floral Pattern
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Chinese:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 621822
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$8400.00
|
This large Chinese jar dates to the Yuan Dynasty, circa 1260-1368 A.D., and it is an impressive 18 inches high. This piece is a Cizhou storage jar and is extremely thick walled (.75 inches) and is very heavy. This piece is in superb condition and has no breaks and/or repair. This piece has looped handles and an attractive ovoid body that tapers inward toward the flat unglazed base. The exterior surface is covered with a beautiful chocolate brown slip glaze and there is a carved detailed floral pattern that runs around the vessel. This piece is a superb example for the type and is seldom seen on the market in this condition. There are attractive spotty dark blue manganese and white calcite deposits seen on sections of the vessel. The dating for this piece is also consistent with the TL results obtained from Oxford Authentication Ltd., U.K. (no.P198m83.) Ex: Butterfield & Butterfield Fine Asian Works of Art auction, San Francisco, CA., Nov. 1998, no. 4304, ($10,000.00-$15,000.00 estimates). Ex: Private CA. collection. I certify that this vessel is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
|
|
Flawless Roman Glass Molded Sprinkler Flask
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Glass:
Pre AD 1000 item# 584291
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1175.00
|
This mint quality Roman glass "sprinkler" flask dates circa 3rd century AD and is in flawless condition. This piece is approximately 3.25 inches high, is larger than most examples, and has a nice silver/gold patina. This piece has a light blue-green color and has spotty mineral deposits. The name "sprinkler" flask is a modern day name given to a flask of this type, as it was designed with an interior valve and a wide, flat opening. This allowed for the contained liquid to sprinkle, rather than pour. This piece was also mold made from two separate halves, and the main body has a lattice-work type design. This piece is scarce in this condition with this clear molded design. This piece is seen on a clear plexiglas stand that is included. Ex: New York private collection. Ex: Fortuna Fine Arts, New York. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
|
|
Attractive Greek Apulian Plate with Exceptional Lustre
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 935726
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1265.00
|
This attractive Greek blackware plate dates circa 4th century B.C., is approximately 7.5 inches in diameter, and is 1.5 inches high. This piece also has an exceptional patina with a heavy multi-iridescent lustre. The patina seen on this piece is much better than most examples, and in addition, this piece has very attractive heavy minute root marking, which augments the mint surfaces of this exceptional piece. There are also nice spotty white calcite deposits and some minute glaze cracking, which is normally seen on authentic examples as well. There are two holes seen within the base ring of the vessel, and this piece may have been hung as a votive offering in the tomb, as was often the case. There is also the possiblity that this piece is Attic, rather than a native Apulian piece that was produced in southern Italy, as there are alternating red and black concentric circles and a central black dot seen on the bottom side that is not normally seen on Apulian plates of this type. Attic export blackware was also copied in southern Italy during the late 4th century B.C., and often only the shape and workshop potter's marks, occasionally seen on blackware pieces, can help to distinguish between the two types. This piece has one of the finest mint surfaces of a blackware plate of this type, and this mint "as found" condition is rare in today's market. A plexiglas plate stand is included. Ex: Donna Jacobs Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan (circa 1980's). Ex: Robert Novak collection, St. Louis, MO. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
|
|
Near Eastern Black Steatite Spindle Whorl with Figures
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Near Eastern:
Stone:
Pre AD 1000 item# 968903
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$625.00
|
This charming piece is a black steatite spindal whorl that was used for weaving textiles. This pieces dates circa 3100-2600 B.C. and is likely Anatolian or Syrian, as the four figures seen on this piece are analogous to the figures seen on carved cylinder seals for the period and region. (See Sotheby's Antiquities, London, "Western Asiatic Cylinder seals and Antiquities from the Erlenmeyer Collection, Part 1", July 1992, no. 31-33.) Black steatite is very difficult to carve, as it is a very hard stone, and this adds to the rarity of this piece. In addition, this type of stone comes mostly from the Syrian region, and cylinder seals, rather than spindle whorls, are much more common. This piece is approximately 1.25 inches in diameter, by .5 inches high. This piece is conical in shape, has a hole bow drilled through the center, and has four separate registers with a figure within. Two of the figures seen in profile may be images of a deer, and a dog or a wolf. The other two images may be seen from the top, and may represent the same animals, but if seen in profile, they are very anthropomorphic, and its also possible that both views were meant to be portrayed. This piece has very minute root marking and striations that are seen on the entire piece which is a good sign of authenticity, in addition, there are mineral deposits seen in many of the low relief points. This piece is scarce to rare, and is in superb condition for the type. A custom stand is included. Ex: Private French collection. Ex: David Leibert collection, New York. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
|
|
Mint Greek Attic Black Figured Warrior Kylix
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 968527
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
Sold
|
This mint quality piece is a Greek Attic kylix that dates circa 500-490 B.C. This flawless piece is a "black-figured" Attic ceramic, and is approximately 3.25 inches high, by 7.5 inches in diameter, and is 10 inches handle to handle. This piece is seen with battle scenes on both sides, and each side has the same four figures, repeated without variation: two men wearing high-crested Corinthian helmets standing behind their horses facing right, towards a white-skinned helmeted figure, probably Athena, who stands facing left and brandishes a shield; seated behind her is a bearded man, possibly Zeus, who holds a scepter in his right hand. The scenes are framed by dilute glaze lines above and below, and ivy vines fill the field. The filling of the field with ivy vines is also a convention of art attributed to the Gela Painter, and the artistic style of the piece offered here may have been influenced by this painter and/or his work shop. Below the handles are quick brush strokes that are stylized leaping dolphins. In the center tondo seen within the bowl of the vessel, is a long-tailed satyr running right, and his head is seen turned back to the left. An analogous kylix is seen in a private collection in New Orleans and is seen in "Art, Myth, and Culture: Greek vases from Southern Collections" by H.A. Shapiro, 1981, cat. no. 21, pp.60-61. Another example is seen in Christie's Antiquities, New York, Dec. 2003, no. 143. ($5,000.00-$7,000.00 estimates. This piece is of the same size and is probably from the same workshop.) The piece offered here has very vibrant color, and as such, is a superb piece that is rare in this condition, and is a type that is seldom seen on the market. Ex: Private French collection. Ex: Fortuna Fine Arts, New York. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
|
|
Mint Roman Glass Flask with Dainty Handle
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Glass:
Pre AD 1000 item# 921530
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$565.00
|
This Roman glass jug is approximately 3.5 inches high and is in mint condition, with no cracks and/or chips. This piece is a light blue/green color, and has sections of a multi-colored iridescence. This piece dates circa late 3rd-4th century A.D., and is classified as a "Late Blue-Green Mould-Blown Series" by John W. Hayes in "Roman and Pre-Roman Glass in the Royal Ontario Museum", Toronto, Canada, 1975, p. 87. This piece is analogous to a piece illustrated in this work and it is no. 432, which also shows vertical fluting on the lower body, inward base with pontil-mark, thin elongated neck, and a very thin applied handle. The handle seen on the piece offered here is very dainty and remarkably thin, but durable. A choice example of Roman blown glass. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
|
|
Roman Bronze Patera Handle with Ram Figure
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 584689
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$875.00
|
This Roman bronze with ram figure is a "patera handle" that dates circa 1st century AD. This piece was used in a ceremony, which was sacrificial in nature, that determined the omens for a future military event. This ceremony involved the sacrifice of a ram, and the piece seen here has a ram's head at the terminal end of the handle. The ram's head seen here has silver inlay eyes and detailed lines that define the horns. This piece has a nice dark green patina with muti-colored mineralization. There is a detailed scrolling foliate pattern where the handle attached to the open pan. This piece was also made from three cast pieces that made up the entire piece seen here. This piece is approximately 6.7 inches long and is in better condition than most examples. This piece is mounted on a custom clear and black plexiglas stand that is also included. Ex: Christie's Antiquities, May 1997, no. 168. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
|
|
Roman Bronze Gladiatorial Ceremonial Sword Hilt
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 771544
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$6800.00
|
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:
|
|
|
|
|
