Specialties
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Near Eastern Black Steatite Spindle Whorl with Figures
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Near Eastern:
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Pre AD 1000 item# 968903
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$625.00
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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:
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Near Eastern Sumerian Banded Marble Fox Stamp Seal
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Pre AD 1000 item# 778770
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1865.00
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This banded white and light yellow marble Sumerian stamp seal is in the form of a recumbent fox and dates circa 3500-2900 B.C. This superb piece is approximately 1.25 inches long and is an exceptional example for the type. This esoteric piece has a bow drilled hole that runs through the top to the bottom center, and there are two animals seen on the flat back side that were carved into the piece. The overall carving of this piece is very detailed and represents a high degree of workmanship, as this piece was produced at the very dawn of civilization when city-states were first formed. The two animals, seen on the back flat side, appear to be identical and served as a stamp and/or seal, and may have represented value in a transaction. This mint quality stamp seal/amulet appears to be a fox, as the head is very angular, along with the raised ears. ( For another analogous example see Sotheby's Antiquities, "The Ada Small Moore Collection of Ancient Near Eastern Seals", New York, Dec. 1991, no. 3, $3,000.00-$5,000.00 estimates. ) This piece was probably part of a necklace, and the vertical bow drilled hole allowed this piece to hang with other seals/amulets of this type. This translucent piece has some spotty mineral deposits, and these deposits can be seen within the eyes, and become darker when one looks through this piece into a lighted background. ( See attached photo. ) This eerie effect makes this piece look alive, and the deposits seen within the eyes may in part be original inlay. Only a skilled artist could achieve this visual effect. This exceptional piece is mounted on a custom plexiglas stand, can easily lift off the stand, and can be worn today. Ex: Joel Malter collection, Los Angeles, CA. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Near Eastern Iranian Bronze Leaping Lion Handle
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Pre AD 1000 item# 836800
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2875.00
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This complete piece is a solid bronze cast of a leaping lion. This piece is a vessel handle, as the two front legs have a groove under the paws which fit over the rim of a vessel. This exceptional and extremely rare bronze is from Iran, dates circa 150 B.C.- 225 A.D., and may be Parthian. (For another analogous example that is of the exact size and type, and may be cast from the same mold see: "Ancient Bronzes, Ceramics, and Seals. The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection of Ancient Near Eastern, Central Asiatic, and European Art.", Los Angeles County Museum of Art Pub., 1981, no. 659.) This piece is approximately 3.8 inches high by 3.7 inches long, and has a nice dark green patina. The head is seen turned to one side and has a very realistic expression, and is a superb example of art from the period. Mounted on a custom marble base. Ex: Harlan J. Berk collection, Chicago, Ill. 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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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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Northern Iranian Amlash Bronze Standing Bull Pendant
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Pre AD 1000 item# 681410
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1375.00
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This esoteric piece is a bronze pendant in the form of a standing bull. This piece dates circa 1000-800 B.C. and is from the region of northern Iran. The culture that produced this piece is known as the "Amlash" culture, which was centered around Tepe Marlik, and they were expert in producing bronze works of art and ceramics. The Luristan and Urartian cultures were also very proficient at producing bronze works of art and weapons, circa 900-600 B.C., but the Amlash culture produced works of art that were very esoteric in form and design. The "free formed" piece seen here has elegant curved and rounded edges, and this can easily be seen where the legs join the main body of the piece. This design can also be seen relative to the large standing bull terracotta spouted vessels that were produced by this culture. (See Christie's Antiquities, New York, Dec. 1999, no. 523 for an analogous designed piece.) The horns of the piece offered here, and the above Christie's example, are also rounded into an arc pattern where they join the head of both pieces. This elegant little piece is approximately 2.5 inches long by 1.7 inches high. There is a hole that is seen on the back, at the base of the neck, and this was used to suspend this piece as a pendant. This pendant was probably used as a fertility symbol. This piece has a nice dark green/blue patina and it sits on a custom stand. This piece is complete and is intact, and is a superb example for the type. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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X-Large Near Eastern Anatolian Marble Seal
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Pre AD 1000 item# 943121
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$865.00
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This piece is an exceptionally large carved marble seal that is approximately 2 inches in diameter by .75 inches high. This piece dates circa 4th Millennium B.C., and is flat on one side with an oval shape on the other. The flat side displays a running ibex that is seen facing right, and there is a crescent moon and a single dot solar symbol that is is seen above. There is also a bow drilled hole that is seen running through the center, and this piece was probably attached to a cord that was worn over the neck of the individual that owned this piece. This piece likely served as an individual seal for the owner, and may have been used as a mark of value. The design was also bow drilled, as there are individual bow-drilled circles that constitute the overall design that is seen on the flat face of this scarce piece. This piece is analogous to an example seen in Bonhams Antiquities, London, May 2008, no. 348. This type of design is also analogous to several cultures that were found in the ancient Near East during this early period, and this type of design is often seen in Anatolia/North Syria, and is often found on hardstone seals made from black steatite. The marble that this piece is made from, was likely imported into the region, and it is a scarce material for a seal this large. This piece has a nice light grey patina and there are spotty white and light brown calcite deposits. There are also some concentrated straight marks on the oval side, and this piece may also have served as a wet stone for a blade during a later period in antiquity. A nice rare seal not often seen on the market. Ex: Erlenmeyer Collection, Basel, Switzerland. Ex: Sotheby's Antiquities, London, June 1997, no. 1. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Near Eastern Sumerian Rock Crystal Bull Amulet
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Pre AD 1000 item# 752891
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2675.00
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This piece is a carved rock crystal amulet that is in the form of a recumbent bull. This rare piece is Sumerian, and dates circa 3500-3200 B.C. This piece is approximately 1.1 inches long and .5 inches wide, and is very large for a rock crystal amulet of this type. There is also a bow drilled hole that runs from the top center to the bottom of the piece, and this was used to attach this piece to a necklace. These necklaces included additional animal amulets/seals, and other known types of these amulets and seals were made from red chalcedony, lapis lazuli, agate, and onyx. The rock crystal types are the rarest, as this hard stone was difficult to carve and had to be imported into the region (lower Mesopotamia). The Sumerian culture was one of the earliest cultures that used amulets and cylinder seals for commercial and religious reasons. This piece was produced during a period when urban culture was coming into existence, along with the formation of city-states, and the piece offered here marked the wearer with a social status, as amulets of this type were also thought to have been imbued with magical powers. Rock crystal pieces of this type are thought by many academics to represent wealth and power, and this may also explain the bull as a type. ( See "Art of the Ancient Near and Middle East" by Carel J. Du Ry, Abrams Pub., New York, 1969, pp. 32-48. In addition, see Sotheby's Antiquities, New York, "The Ada Small Moore Collection of Ancient Near Eastern Seals", Dec. 1991, no. 1-4 and 28. On page 14 the Reverend Paul Moore, the grandson of Ada Small Moore, mentions an ancient cuneiform text that reads: "A seal of crystal portends that he shall enlarge profits; his name shall be good." ) The bull seen on this amulet is seen in the recumbent position with the legs folded underneath, and the head is turned to the right. This design of the bull is in a compact position, and this makes the drilled eyes even more expressive. The stone is also translucent, and this also gives this bull amulet an animated look. This piece is complete and is in superb condition, save a small fracture seen on the upper head. This piece comes with a custom stand and can easily be removed. Ex: Sotheby's Antiquities, New York, Dec. 1995, no. 155. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Near Eastern Sassanian Steatite Ellipsoid Animal Seal
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Pre AD 1000 item# 924673
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$565.00
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This Sassanian seal has an image of an animal, possibly a wolf or a fox. The carved image is seen on the flat side of the piece, and this piece dates circa 4th-5th century A.D. The carving is done by the creation of deep lines which accent the limbs and head of the animal. This piece is made of a hard black steatite, which is very difficult to carve, and consequently, there are few Sassanian seals that are made from this material. This piece is approximately .6 inches high, and has six carved round decorative circles that are carved in high relief. These circles are a hallmark of fine Sassanian artistic style, and this type of carving is seen on carved Sassanian glass beakers. (For the type see "Masterpieces of Glass in The British Museum", by D.B. Harden, London, 1968, no.137.) There is also a bow-drilled hole that is seen at the center of the piece, and this piece was probably part of a necklace. There are some dark brown deposits seen in various sections of the piece, and there are some minute stress cracks which are an excellent mark of authenticity. This type of seal is scarce, as the material is made of a hard black steatite and the degree of workmanship is very high. This piece is from modern day Iran and the black steatite stone is native to this region. Ex: Joel Malter collection, Los Angeles, CA. Ex: Private CA. collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Near Eastern Sassanian Carnelian Seal with Noble Bust
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Pre AD 1000 item# 883507
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$365.00
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This Near Eastern piece is an attractive red carnelian stamp seal that is from the Sassanian culture that lived in modern day Iran. This piece dates circa 2nd-4th century A.D., and served as a personal signet stamp seal which was used to conduct business transactions. This piece has a flat face and has a bow drilled hole in the center, and this piece was probably worn on a cord around the neck. This piece is fragmentary with about half of the piece missing, but the flat face with the seal is intact. The flat face of this piece has an exceptional engraved portrait bust of a bearded noble, who is seen wearing a regal diadem in the hair, and this piece was probably owned by a wealthy individual who traded within the Sassanian Empire. The fine artistic style seen on this piece is better than most examples for the period, and the color is very striking, as the stone has a deep red color. This piece would make an excellent addition to a ring or a pendant. Ex: Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., Chicago, Ill. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Rare Near Eastern Sassanian Bronze Votive Goat Figurine
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Pre AD 1000 item# 840348
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1375.00
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This rare piece is a solid cast bronze that is in the form of a standing goat. This piece is probably Sassanian, dates circa 250-640 A.D., and was produced in modern day Iran. This piece is approximately 3 inches high by 4 inches long, and has a nice dark green patina. The surfaces of this piece have spotty light white and green calcite deposits, minute wear on the bottom of the feet, and minute scratches which all indicate great age. This piece also has pegs that extend outwards from the feet, and these pegs may have supported wheels which made this piece well served as a toy, but more likely, the pegs were fitted into a flat bronze base or into a wooden fitting. This piece probably was a votive offering and/or served as a chariot fitting. The goat also appears to have a slight smile which gives this piece a lively expression. This piece is analogous in artistic design and size to another bronze figurine, of a standing Ibex, that is seen in Sotheby's Antiquities, New York, May 1986, no. 99. ($2,000.00-$3,000.00 estimates.) The piece offered here is a rare pre-Islamic bronze piece that is seldom seen on the market. Ex: J.J. Klejman Gallery, New York. Ex: Joel Malter collection, Los Angeles, CA. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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