Specialties
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Large Flawless Roman Glass Plate with Base Ring
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Glass:
Pre AD 1000 item# 584209
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3265.00
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This flawless Roman glass plate is a light blue color and is approximately 9.4 inches in diameter by 2.25 inches high. This large piece dates circa 1st century AD and has a nice multi-colored patina. This piece has an applied ring base foot and a verticle wall with folded cordon at the base. This vessel has an exceptional high degree of workmanship, as the folds seen within this vessel form and strengthen the overall piece. This piece is very analogous in type, color, and size to the superb example recently sold at Christie's Antiquities, New York, June 2008, no. 143. ( $3,800.00 bid, $4,750.00 with buyer's premium. ) Ex: Christie's Antiquities, June 2001, no. 210. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Lively and Rare Roman Silver Griffin Vessel Leg
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Pre AD 1000 item# 886914
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2875.00
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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:
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Superb Roman Bronze Bust of the Goddess Minerva
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1011365
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$5,675.00
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This superb Roman bronze is a bust of the goddess Minerva. This complete piece is approximately 4.5 inches high, and dates circa 1st century A.D. This beautiful piece is a much better example than what is normally seen, and is a complete intact example. This attractive piece is also in superb condition, save for a small dent at the tip of the nose. This piece has an attractive dark green patina with spotty red highlights, and in addition, this piece has a crest pin and detailed flowing crest that is usually missing relative to this type of piece. This piece also has a detailed scaly aegis fronted by a facing head of Medusa, silver inlaid eyes, and a detailed crested Corinthian helmet seen high on her head. The goddess has a beautiful oval face with her long hair center parted, and a serene upward gaze. The silver inlaid eyes also accentuate the serene facial expression that is portrayed. This piece has an iron pin seen under the piece, and this piece may have been attached to a furniture piece or a private shrine. The worship of Minerva was universally established, and it was the duty of almost every member of Roman society to implore the assistance and patronage of Minerva who presided over sense, taste, and reason. She was also invoked by every artist, and particularly those who worked with wool, embroidery, painting, and sculpture. This piece is very analogous in type and size to an example that was offered in Christies Antiquities, New York, Dec. 2008, no. 141. See attached photo. ($7,000.00-$9,000.00 estimates, $6,250.00 realized.) This piece also sits on a custom metal stand. Ex: Private New York collection. Ex: Harlan J. Berk collection, Chicago, Ill. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Roman Bronze Silenus Applique Figure
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Antiques:
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Ancient World:
Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 599095
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$965.00
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This superb Roman bronze piece is an applique with the image of Silenus. This piece dates circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., and is in the form of a facing head, with an attached peg that extends about 1.5 inches from the back side of the applique. This piece was probably mounted in an object such as a furniture piece, or a bronze and wooden door, or a composite work or arms such as a Roman shield. A piece with this type of design, with the extended peg, could have fit in a number of objects. The Sileni were native not to Greece, but to Phrygia in Roman Asia, and personified the genii of springs and rivers. Unlike the Satyrs who derive chiefly from the he-goat, the Sileni derive rather from the horse, whose tail hooves, and even ears they possess. This piece clearly shows the horse ears and shows Silenus as a fat old man, snub-nosed, always drunk, who was in the retinue of Dionysus. Silenus was the tutor of Dionysus and had helped him form his character. The diameter of this piece is approximately 1.4 inches and the length is approximately 2 inches. This piece has a dark green patina with red highlights and the detail is superb. There are some dark green mineral deposits seen on the extended peg. This piece is mounted with clay on a custom black/plexiglas base and can easily be removed. Ex: Private German collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Roman Bronze Sestertius as Scale Armour
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 872310
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$325.00
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This interesting Roman bronze coin is a bronze Sestertius, and was minted circa 60-68 A.D., and depicts a bust of Nero, who was in power circa 54-68 A.D. This coin is approximately 37mm in diameter, is Very Good quality, and has a nice dark green patina with heavy dark green/brown deposits. There are also four holes seen on this piece, and this likely facilitated leather ties which allowed this piece to be fitted into a composite corslet as scale armour. (See attached drawing.) This type of of Roman armour is known, but is extremely rare, and was not often manufactured by the Romans, although the blending of metal leaves interwoven with fabric, was known by the Greeks as early as the 12th century B.C. in Cyprus. (See "Warfare in Ancient Greece" by Tim Everson, Sutton Pub., United Kingdom, 2004, p. 154-155.) This piece could have served as armour during this period, as Rome had a brief, but quick civil war with four Emperors circa 68-69 A.D. This piece also has a deep mark in the center of the coin that was probably a test cut, rather than a battle mark. The test cut was done in order to test that the metal was 100% bronze, rather than a bronze plated "fourree". This test cut was also probably done when this coin was no longer in circulation, and could have been struck circa 68 A.D., when Nero was replaced by Galba. This coin is an interesting piece that had a dual utility. A custom black plexiglas stand is included, and the piece is easily removable as it is attached with clay. Ex: Private English collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Cute Roman Bronze Seated Dog: X-Mildenberg
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Antiques:
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Ancient World:
Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 594369
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$825.00
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This little Roman bronze dog dates circa 2nd-3rd century A.D., and is approximately 1.5 inches high. This cute little Roman bronze dog is seen seated and looks perfectly calm. 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. This piece is mounted on a custom black plexiglas and white marble base. This complete piece has a dark green patina and has extremely fine detail. Ex: Christie's Antiquities London, Leo Mildenberg Collection of Ancient Animals, October 2004, no. 372. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Flawless Roman Glass Cup with Ring Base
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Glass:
Pre AD 1000 item# 924277
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$875.00
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This beautiful piece is a flawless Roman glass cup that is in mint condition, with no chips and/or cracks. This piece is a blue/green glass, is approximately 2.8 inches high by 3.8 inches in diameter, and has attractive root marks with a multi-iridescent patina. This piece dates circa 2nd century A.D.-early 3rd century A.D., and has a ring base which is normally seen on larger pieces that are classified as "bowls". An analogous example is seen in "Roman and Pre-Roman Glass in the Royal Ontario Museum " by John Hayes, Toronto, 1975, no. 178. This piece is an exceptional scarce roman glass cup/beaker that is designed as a larger "bowl" type. Ex: Fortuna Fine Arts, New York. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Roman Bronze Satyr Figurine with Wine Skin & Patera
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 793075
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3675.00
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This animated Roman bronze figurine is a standing satyr, who is seen filling a patera from a wineskin. This superb piece dates circa 2nd-3rd century A.D. and is approximately 3 inches high. This standing nude satyr, who is seen filling a patera from a wineskin, has bent knees as he is staggering under the weight of the full wineskin. This slightly chubby creature has a round face, a neat cap of wavy hair with a prominent tuft over his forehead, arched eyebrows, smiling mouth, and pointed ears. These features all give this charming bronze figurine a very animated look, and perfectly depict this satyr as an attendant of the Roman god of wine Bacchus, who along with the satyri, engaged in riotous orgies. The patera, held by this satyr, was also used for Roman wine sacrificial ceremonies, and this piece may represent this type of ceremony as well, as a figurine such as this piece may have been part of a private shrine in a wealthy household. (For an analogous example, see the example from the House of the Centenary, Pompeii, now in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, inventory no. 111495, illustrated in Stefano De Caro, "The National Archaeological Museum of Naples", Naples, Italy, 2001, p.206.) This complete piece is a scarce type, and has a nice dark green patina. This piece is mounted on a custom metal stand. Ex: Private CA. collection. Ex: Fortuna Fine Arts, New York, New York. (Additional documentation is available to the purchaser.) 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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Mint Roman Glass Flask with Elongated Neck
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Glass:
Pre AD 1000 item# 590960
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$925.00
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This nice Roman glass flask dates circa 2nd century AD and is in mint condition, with no breaks and/or chips. This piece is approximately 7.4 inches high and is a light green color. There are heavier surface deposits seen on one side, and this suggests a burial pattern. There are spotty mineral deposits and areas of muti-colored iridescence seen in sections of the vessel. This vessel is larger than most examples, as it has a tall elongated neck, and is a nice example. Ex: Joel Malter collection, Los Angeles, CA. I certify that this vessel is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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