Specialties
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Superb Roman Silver Ring with Stylized Heads
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Pre AD 1000 item# 943369
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1265.00
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This piece is a superb Roman silver ring that dates circa 2nd-3rd century A.D. This piece is solid silver and was cast as one piece, then it was chased and cold worked after the casting. This piece is approximately a size 8, is 7/16 inches wide at the top, and has a light grey patina. There are some very minute scratches which can be seen under magnification, and this is a good indication of authenticity. This piece has two stylized heads that come together in the center, and these resemble dolphin heads, rather than cow/bull heads. The heads are so stylized that they could be spirit animals as well, and as such, this piece could have originally come from ancient Thrace, where many ancient animal cults were active into the Roman period. This ring could be either a "protector" type ring, or a "power" type ring that captured the power of the animal. This piece is very durable, as it was cast as a solid piece, and can easily be worn today. This pieces comes with a gift box and a custom ring stand. 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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Unique Greek Apulian/Gnathian Baby Feeder/Strainer
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 573393
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$975.00
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This interesting piece is a Greek Apulian/Gnathian baby feeder and/or strainer. This piece with this type of extension is commonly known as a "baby feeder", as this type of extension is often seen designed with Roman glass vessels, but I think this ceramic may have been used to filter olive oil. This piece dates circa Last Quarter of the 4th century BC and may be unique, and is a type that I have not seen on the market. This piece also represents the last phase of Apulian ceramic production in southern Italy, as it is also a blend with the Gnathian culture. This piece is intact and is approximately 3 inches high by 6.25 inches long. This attractive vessel has a delicate ivy leaf tendril design that is seen running around the lower rim, and there are incised stems, white leaves, and berries. (For an Apulian Gnathian ceramic with this analogous ivy vine design see "The Art of South Italy, Vases From Magna Graecia" by Margaret Mayo and Kenneth Hamma, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Pub., 1982, no. 137.) There are also white spotty mineral deposits seen in sections of this intact piece. The outer extension also slopes upwards so that the liquid would flow in an even flow with a great deal of control. If you collect Apulian ceramics, do not miss this piece as I believe it is an extremely rare type that is probably unique. Ex: Gunther Puhze collection, Germany. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Superb Greek Hellenistic Silver Mastos Bowl
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pre AD 1000 item# 595929
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3800.00
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This piece is a Greek silver bowl that dates from the Hellenistic period, circa 4th-3rd century B.C. This superb piece is approximately 3.5 inches high by 5.75 inches in diameter. This piece was hammered from one sheet of silver, then the top rim was folded under, and then the top rim was sealed with a bead that is seen on the inside. In addition, there is a round double-bead design that is seen on the outer bottom. This piece has some heavy outer white calcite deposits and a nice even light gray patina. This piece is known as a "mastos" bowl and the type is seen in D.E. Strong "Greek and Roman Gold and Silver Plate", London 1966, p.108, fig.24. This piece is a large and superb example for the type, and is analogous to the example seen in Sotheby's Antiquities, New York, Dec. 2001, no. 291, ($4,000.00-$6,000.00 estimates). 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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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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Greek (AE 28) Coin of Rhodos showing Helios/Alexander
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 723302
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$765.00
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This extremely fine coin is a Greek bronze that shows on the obverse, Helios, who is the Greek god of the sun. The sun's rays are represented as the radiate crown worn by Helios. This coin is known as an AE 28, as AE is the symbol for bronze and 28 represents the diameter of the flan, which this coin is (28mm). The reverse shows the rose, which is the civic symbol of the island of Rhodos where this coin was minted circa 167-88 B.C. P-O is seen on each side of the rose and this represents the mint mark for Rhodos. The Helios bust on the obverese also represents Alexander the Great in the guise of Helios, and this rare representation is seen relative to Greek sculpture for the period as well. The quality of this piece is extremely fine, and this coin is rare in this condition. The principle reason for this is that this coin was struck with shallow dies and the design of this type in not very clear, but in this case, this coin is fully struck up and has clear designs and very little wear, if any. This coin is also centered very well and has an attractive dark brown patina. For the type see David Sear, "Greek Coins and Their Values", Vol.2 Asia and Africa, Seaby Pub. 1979, no. 5079. 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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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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Impressive Greek Geometric Bronze Bead Necklace
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 958827
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2,375.00
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This impressive piece is a Greek bronze bead necklace, and this necklace is comprised of solid cast bronze beads that date to the Geometric period circa 750-700 B.C. This necklace is made from 13 beads which together measure approximately 17.75 inches end-to-end. All of the bronze beads are conical in design, and seven of the larger beads have a raised terminal end. The largest central bead has double-raised ridge terminal ends, and this bead is approximately 2.75 inches long. The other six largest beads measure approximately 1.5, 2, 2.4, 2.3, 1.75, and 1.25 inches long. The smaller six beads are approximately .5 to .75 inches long. These beads have an attractive dark green patina, and are all in superb condition. These beads are strung on a leather cord, and can be worn as is, or can easily be separately mounted into several different works of jewelry. The weights of the beads vary widely, and the central bead weighs approximately 29.4 gms. The other six larger beads weigh approximately 15.5, 33.5, 59.8, 30.7, 29.5, and 12.1 gms. These beads were separately hand cast, and they are all slightly different in size and weight. Two of the larger beads also have a hole from the central shaft, which probably allowed for the addition of pendants and/or other beads which hung down from these two beads. These beads were likely worn in life, as well as being votive, and are now scarce in the market. As a group, these pieces have a high degree of eye appeal and display very well. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that these pieces are 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
Sold
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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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Greek Silver Boat-Shaped Earrings with Rosettes
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pre AD 1000 item# 944741
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1165.00
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The beautiful pieces offered here is a matching set of Greek silver earrings, that date circa 6th century B.C. These pieces are made of solid silver, are not plated or have a bronze core, and they have an attractive dark gray patina. These pieces are approximately 1 inch high and .64 inches wide near the base. The upper half narrows into a point, which allowed these earrings to pass through a pierced ear. There is some flex to these pieces even now, and they could easily be worn today. The shape of this type of earring is known as a "boat-shaped type", and they have two additional decorative rosette pattern knobs that are seen on each side. Each of these minute round knobs were individually added, and these earrings were made with a great deal of skill, although they have a simple design. Greek silver jewelry from this time frame, circa 550 B.C., is scarce, as most Greek silver jewelry dates to the later Hellenistic Period, circa 336 B.C. (A Greek silver fibula with analogous workmanship is seen in The Belgrade National Museum and is published in "Balkani" by Tatjana Cvjeticanin, Giovanni Gentili, and Vera Krstic, Silvana Editoriale Pub., 2008, no. 73.) The earrings offered here are intact and have no repair/restoration, and are in exceptional mint condition. An earring stand is included, along with a gift box. Ex: Private German collection. (These pieces have additional documentation for the purchaser.) I certify that these pieces are authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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