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Cute Geometric Greek/Anatolian Votive Bronze Bull
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Pre AD 1000 item# 685120
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2375.00
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This cute standing bronze bull is complete, and dates circa 750-700 B.C. This piece is approximately 3.5 inches long by 2.25 inches high. This piece is solid and was cast as one complete piece. This scarce piece is probably Greek, as examples of this type have been found at Delphi, Olympia, and Samos. These pieces were votive in nature and this is why they have been found at these sacred Greek sites. (See H.V. Herrmann, Die Kessel der Orientalalisierenden Zeit, Teil I, OlympForsch VI, 1966, no.114. for an analogous example that was found at Olympia.) This piece has a round almond eye and the tail is designed between the hind legs, and these are features that are seen in Greek art during the early Geometric period, circa 8th century B.C. Pieces of this type have been found in Anatolia and northern Syria, and have been found in many locations in the ancient Greek world. This is why pieces of this type are classified as being "Anatolian" and/or "Northern Syrian", but it probably is the case that many of these pieces may also have been made in Greece, and one probable site is Olympia. This period is also known as the "Orientalizing" period of Greek art, as there was extensive trade between Greece and the the Levant (eastern Mediterranean). This piece has a dark green and brown patina with dark green mineral deposits. The design of this piece is also very analogous to another example that is seen in the Munich Glyptothek Museum (See attached photo.) The piece offered here, and the Glyptothek Museum example, are both approximately the same size as well, and both have short cropped horns, incised line design on the flat forehead, and a round almond eye. The bull also appears to be pulling back with the weight of his body, as a domesticated animal would do, and this may also explain the cropped horn design of this piece. This type of a solid cast bronze votive bull is scarce, and is not often seen on the market. This piece is also from a private Swiss collection. Ex: Leo Mildenberg collection, Zurich. Published:"More Animals in Ancient Art from the Leo Mildenberg Collection" by A.P. Kozloff and D.G. Mitten, Part III, Mainz am Rhein Pub., 1986, no.17. Ex: Christie,s Antiquities, London, Oct. 2004, no.372.
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Rare Greek Bronze Aryballos Stand
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Pre AD 1000 item# 944693
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1265.00
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This rare piece is a Greek bronze stand that was likely made for an aryballos type glass vessel that has a rounded bottom (See attached photo showing a glass aryballos with a rounded bottom that is dated from the same period as the bronze stand offered here). The piece offered here dates circa 7th-6th century B.C., and is approximately 2.8 inches high, by 2 inches in diameter for the upper bowl. This attractive piece is intact, and has a nice dark green patina with some dark green deposits. This piece has some bottom roughness and a minute dent on the upper bowl, otherwise it is in superb condition. This piece is also a two-part construction, with the bowl and the stem cast as separate pieces. The outer bottom of the bowl has nice decorative inset concentric circles that are a hallmark design feature of the Greek Geometric Period, circa 8th-7th century B.C. The base stem has decorative bands that are designed in relief, and this allows one to easily grasp this piece, and in addition, all of these decorative elements give this piece a great deal of eye appeal. A nice rare piece that is seldom seen on the market. Ex: M. Ward Gallery, New York. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Powerful Hellenistic Greek Bronze Ring with Herakles
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Pre AD 1000 item# 1086730
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2,875.00
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This piece is a very powerful example of a superb Hellenistic Greek bronze ring, which shows Herakles wrestling the Nemean lion. This piece dates circa mid to late 4th century B.C., and is approximately ring size 8 to 8.5. This piece is a seal ring, and was likely worn by a young man. The condition of this bronze seal ring is superb, as there are no cracks and/or chips, and the engraved composition is very sharp with a deep relief. The inside surface is also smooth to the touch, and this condition factor is what connoisseurs of this type of piece treasure, as this shows this ring was worn in antiquity. In addition, this piece has a lovely even dark green patina. The engraving is very detailed, and the impression from the seal has very high relief. The head of the standing Herakles is a Greek late classical period type, which is very analogous to the young Apollo heads seen on the gold coinage of Philip II, circa 345-310 B.C. (See the attached photo of a gold stater of Philip II, which shows a young Apollo head on the obverse.) This ring may also have been made by a celator (engraver) of Greek coinage, given the fine artistic style of the composition and the placement of the engraved figures on the bezel of the ring. The standing muscular Herakles is seen strangling the Nemean lion, and the lion is seen leaping into the mid-torso of Herakles who has an arm lock around the neck of the lion. The arm lock of Herakles over the lion's neck is centered on the flat, oval bezel, and the tail of the lion is seen framing the composition on the outer lower edge of the scene, along with the club of Herakles that is seen behind the standing figure of Herakles. This "framed composition" is also a common feature of the ancient Greek coin celators in the classical and Hellenistic periods. In Greek myth, Herakles strangles the Nemean lion with his bare hands, rather than using his club, and this is his sign of his true strength. This Greek bronze seal ring was obviously worn by a man of high social standing, and is a rare example of this quality. This ring is one of the finest examples that I have seen on the market, and compares with it's exceptional and contemporary gold and silver examples. (For the type, see J. Spier, "Ancient Gems and Finger Rings", Malibu, 1992, no. 85.) A custom ring stand is included. Ex: Private New York collection. Ex: Fortuna Fine Arts, New York. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Stunning Graeco-Egyptian Bronze Figure of Winged Eros
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Pre AD 1000 item# 985034
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
Price on Request.
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This stunning bronze figurine is a standing winged representation of Eros, the Greco-Roman god of love. This piece dates circa 1st century B.C., and was likely produced by a Greek artist in Alexandria, Egypt. This piece is approximately 6.5 inches high and stands by itself, such is the exceptional workmanship of this piece. There is also great detail seen on this piece within the wings and braided hair. The patina is as exceptional as the workmanship, and there are dark green, red, and light brown highlights. The surface of this piece was highly polished in antiquity, and this was common relative to Greek Hellenistic bronzes that were produced in Alexandria. One can still see the glossy surface of this piece, and this piece is intact, save for the lower arms and the top of the left wing that is missing. The body of this piece has a slight twist to the torso, an effeminate slim nude body, and one leg extended forward which are all additional attributes of Greek Hellenistic cannons of art, and all of these attributes all come together to emphasize the erotic nature of the Greek god of love, Eros. The erotic design of this piece also places a focus on the petite penis, which appealed to a homosexually inclined society in the late Hellenistic period. The greatest Greek artists produced masterworks of art that fell into this catagory, and this applied especially to Praxiteles, who produced the bronze Apollo Sauroktonos ("Lizard Slayer"), whose slim nude standing body has an analogous look to the piece offered here. (See "Greek Sculpture" by Andrew Stewart, Yale University Press, Vol. I and II, 1990, p. 178-179.) The piece offered here also has a rounded young baby face, and braided hair that is tied in a top-knot. This top-knot likely represents a crown of Isis, and is an Egyptian convention of art. Hellenistic bronzes produced in Alexandria, in many cases, had attributes that repreaented a combination of Gods that were Greek, Roman, and Egyptian. The top-knot seen on this stunning piece is a subtle example of this duality of representation. The piece offered here was likely in a private shrine, as Eros amoung the ancients was worshipped with the same solemnity as his mother Venus, and his influence extended over the heavens, the sea, and the earth, and even the empire of the dead; his divinity was universally acknowledged, and vows, prayers, and sacrifices were daily offered to him. This piece is also from the famed Maurice Nahman collection (1868-1948), who was a dealer who lived in Cairo for many years, and had at least half a century of daily contact with Egyptian antiquities, which resulted in Nahman acquiring virtually unparalleled experience in this subject. This piece stands on a custom plexiglas stand, and the piece and the stand together is approximately 10 inches high. Ex: Maurice Nahman collection.(1868-1948). Ex: Christie's Antiquities, London, April 2004, no. 282.
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Greek Geometric Period Bronze Spiral Torque
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Pre AD 1000 item# 943469
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$925.00
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This solid piece is a nice Greek bronze torque that dates to the Geometric Period, circa 1000-800 B.C., and this type of piece has been found in central Europe and the Balkins. This piece is approximately 5.2 inches in diameter at its widest point, and has a nice dark green patina with some spotty dark green deposits. This piece was also able to flex, so that the wearer could easily slip the piece onto the neck, and this was also made easier due to the curved and rounded terminal ends that curve back away from the center. This piece has four sides from the terminal ends, and then graduates into a round, twisted spiral through the main body of the piece. In addition, this piece has an uniform diameter and this piece took a great deal of metallurgical skill to produce, due to the reasons noted above, and is a scarce piece in this superb condition. This piece was probably made for a young man or a woman, given the diameter of the piece, and was probably worn in life as well as serving as a votive grave offering. This piece can be worn today and is one of the best examples, as it is in superb condition with no cracks and/or repair, and has an exceptional patina. (Another example of this type and quality was offered at Bonhams Antiquities, London, April 2009, no. 288, 1,500-2,000 pound estimates.) Ex: Bonhams Antiquities, London, Dec. 1996, no. 45. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Impressive Greek Geometric Bronze Bead Necklace
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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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Beautiful Greek Bronze Fluted Kalyx Cup
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Pre AD 1000 item# 633629
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3,675.00
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This beautiful Greek bronze kalyx cup dates circa 5th-4th century B.C. and is a large example for the type. This piece is intact and is in superb condition, save for two small stress cracks seen on the upper rim which were formed from ground pressures. These stress cracks are also an excellent indication of authenticity, and are an added plus towards the value of the piece. The patina is absolutely gorgeous and is dark green with mixed dark red highlights, and there are spotty mineral deposits which are dark blue and red. The patina seen on this exceptional piece is also very desirable, and is another added plus towards the value of this piece. This piece was hand made from one sheet of bronze and was hammered into shape. This piece was finished with exceptional repousse decoration in the form of a floral pattern, seen centered at the bottom, and this pattern extends up the sides with elongated petals. There is also a hand chased decorative band that runs around the center of the vessel, and this vessel displays several forms of hand worked design which also make this an exceptional example of "classical period" ancient Greek art and workmanship. The shape and decorative elements seen on this piece was derived from the earlier Achaemenid (Persian empire) deep bowl. (For an explanation of the type see D.E. Strong, "Greek and Roman Gold and Silver Plate, London 1966, p.99.) This shape also appears in Attic pottery in the fifth and fourth century B.C., and the Achaemenid influence was felt in Greece well before the conquests of Alexander the Great paved the way to direct contact between Greek art and the East. These types of cups have also been found in silver, with and without the detailed design seen on the vessel offered here. This piece is approximately 4.4 inches in diameter by 3 inches high, is thick walled, and is a large example. The workmanship is also better than what is usually seen, as it has very fine detail, and this piece was probably made for the table of a wealthy individual. This piece was also probably used for formal wine drinking known as symposia. A plexiglas stand is also included. Ex: Private Swiss collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Greek Bronze Bracelet with Geometric Motifs
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Pre AD 1000 item# 1055090
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$765.00
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This interesting piece is a solid bronze Greek bracelet that dates circa 8th century B.C. This piece is intact, and has no breaks and/or repair and is a very solid piece. This piece has minute geometric motifs: multiple chevrons, small circles, and dashed lines. This piece has a nice dark green patina, and there are beautiful light red highlights with some traces of a gold gilt outer layer. This piece was likely worn in life, and was also a votive type object. This piece is approximately 3.25 inches in diameter, is approximately .25 inches thick on the average, and is approximately .75 inches wide at the center and narrows towards both terminal ends. This piece can be worn today, as it is a very solid piece. For an analogous example see: "Ancient Greek Art, N.P. Goulandris Collection", By Lila Marangou, Athens 1996, no. 248. A custom clear and black plexiglas stand is included. Ex: Christie's Antiquities, New York, June 1994, no. 112. Ex: Private New York 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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Philip II Bronze (AE) 18 Coin with Superb Patina
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Pre AD 1000 item# 875428
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$285.00
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This Greek bronze coin is classified as an AE 18, and was minted by Philip II circa 359-336 B.C. The classification as an AE 18, derives from the average diameter of this type of coin which is approximately 18mm in diameter. The obverse displays the bust of Apollo seen facing the the left, and the reverse, shows a naked youth on a running horse that is facing right. The reverese has the name of Philip above and below, is a monogram which may be a mint control mark. This piece has a lustrous superb dark green patina that is much better than other examples of this type, and has a Very Fine Plus grade. See David Sear, "Greek Coins and Their Values, Vol. II", Seaby Pub., London, 1979, no. 6698 for the type. Ex: Private CA. collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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