Specialties
|
Near Eastern Sassanian Carnelian Seal with Noble Bust
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Near Eastern:
Pre AD 1000 item# 883507
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$365.00
|
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:
|
|
La Collezione Archeologica Del Banco Di Sicilia
Catalogue:
Traditional Collectibles:
Books:
Contemporary item# 821957
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$385.00
|
La Collezione Archeologica Del Banco Di Sicilia is a boxed two volume set that was printed in 1992 by Edizioni Guida Pub. in Palermo, Italy. This beautiful two volume set is virtually unobtainable in the US, and is a superb corpus of ancient Greek ceramics that were produced in Magna Graecia (Southern Italy). If you are a collector of ancient Greek ceramics, this book is an excellent reference, as there are 648 pieces listed with B&W photos in Vol.1, and Vol.2 has line drawings, detailed descriptions, maps, and lavish color photos of the pieces listed in Vol. 1. Vol.1 is organized with sections such as: Vasi Preistorici, Terrecotte, Ceramica Figurata, Corinthian, Attica, Apulia, Siceliota, and Gnathian. Vol. 2 also groups these pieces into double page color fold outs, with catagories such as Fantastic Animals, Female Divinities, Nike Divinities, War Scenes, and Sport Scenes. This edition was printed as a limited edition and has not been re-printed, and is one of the most comprehensive references for ancient Greek ceramics outside the works produced by A.D. Trendall. All of the text is in Italian, and all the pieces have sizes listed, museum inventory numbers, and dates. The condition of this boxed two volume set is mint, save for some wear on the bottom side of the outer box. This is a very valuable reference for the collector, and one that has many pieces listed.
|
|
Superb Moche Lizard Stirrup Vessel
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Americas:
Pre Columbian:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 809739
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1275.00
|
This superb ceramic is from the Moche culture that dwelled in northern Peru and dates circa 50-200 A.D. This piece is classified as being Moche I period, circa 50-200 A.D., due to the design of the stirrup spout that has a thick lip. The Moche ceramics from this period often have a cream colored glaze with red highlights, as this vessel also displays. This intact piece is approximately 8 inches high and is in superb condition, with no over paint, repair, and/or restoration. There is also a small pebble inside this ceramic, and this vessel may have served as a ceremonial rattle. This cute piece has a vibrant red line-designed lizard seen on both sides, and there are red dots that surround each lizard. These red dots represent seeds of the acacia tree, which are closely related to the hallucinogenic anadenanthera colubrina, which are believed to have powerful medicinal properties. The lizards that are native to the desert scrub brush land of northern Peru subsist exclusively on these seeds, and its thought the Moche consumed these lizards believing that they would derive the benefits of the acacia seeds. (For the ceramic type see "Moche Art of Peru" by Christopher Donnan, University of California, 1978, page 142.) The lizard was also a creature worthy of depiction, as lizards shed their skins, and this trait makes them symbolic of regeneration. This piece is an interesting work of Moche line-designed art that is not often seen on the market in this superb condition. Ex: Private CA. collection. Ex: Arte Textil, San Francisco, CA. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
|
|
Rare Greek Bronze Aryballos Stand
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 944693
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1265.00
|
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:
|
|
Unique Greek Apulian/Gnathian Baby Feeder/Strainer
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 573393
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$975.00
|
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:
|
|
Massive Moche Seated Royal Prisoner
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Americas:
Pre Columbian:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 621516
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
On Hold
|
This massive seated Moche polychrome ceramic is approximately 18.25 inches high and is in superb condition. This piece has no over paint, the colors are all original, and it is intact, save for some very minor repair to some minor stress cracks in the main body. This piece dates circa 200-500 A.D. and is from the Middle Mochica period. (For the type see Christopher Donnan, "Moche Art of Peru", Museum of Cultural History, University of California, Los Angeles, 1978, no. 247.) This massive vessel is a seated prisoner who is seen facing forward with his hands clasped at the front. There is a rope seen around his neck and he is nude, as he was stripped of all clothing and jewelry, which was the custom for live Moche captives that were about to be sacrificed to the gods. This prisoner is probably royal, as he has large holes in the lower ear lobes that held large ear flares that the Moche elite were associated with, and his hands are at the front. Virtually all of these Moche prisoner ceramics have their hands tied behind their backs, but this prisoner is seen in a more dignified manner, and this may indicate his elevated status. The portrait of the royal person seen here may be one of an actual individual, as the Moche produced ceramics that are as realistic as a photograph, as they strove to depict actual living individuals. (For Moche production of true portraits of individuals see C. Donnan, "Moche Portraits of Ancient Peru", University of Texas Press, 2004.) The vessel seen here is an important example of Moche art, not only for the fine art seen, but also relative to the rare type. The seated prisoner with the hands in front may signify that he is pleading for his life, but more likely, he is offering himself to the gods. This is what truly separates this piece from other Moche ceramics of this type, and in addition, the head of this piece is as large and detailed as most singular Moche portrait-head vessels. This superb large scale piece has spotty black mineral deposits in sections of the vessel and has exceptional eye appeal. Ex: Kate Kemper collection, London. Ex: Private CA. collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
|
|
Cute Geometric Greek/Anatolian Votive Bronze Bull
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 685120
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2375.00
|
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. This scarce piece is not often seen on the market and is 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.
|
|
Roman Bronze Silenus Applique Figure
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 599095
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$965.00
|
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:
|
|
Rare Moche Sacrificial Rite Vessel with Six Figures
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Americas:
Pre Columbian:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 853880
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3275.00
|
This rare vessel is from the Moche culture, that dwelled in modern day northern Peru, dates circa 500-700 A.D. and is from the Moche IV phase of ceramic development. This piece is intact with no repair/restoration, is in superb condition, and is approximately 8.25 inches high. This red-brown and cream colored ceramic is a rare piece, as it is a type of vessel known as a "sacrificial rite vessel". This piece has six figures on the vessel including a Moche standing owl deity seen at the center, a sea lion, a cormorant, a hooded male figure, an ocean skate(?), and a crab. All of the five figures that run around the main body of this stirrup-type vessel are all seen emerging from the background, and may represent their emerging into or from the spirit world. These figures are seen in high relief from the main body of the vessel, as they were individually mold made, and this production process took a great deal of skill and time relative to intregrating these images into the production of this ceramic. The standing owl deity seen at the center, which may also represent a priest in costume, is also the Moche deity that is seen in the "Presentation Theme", which is a Moche ceremony of sacrifice as defined by Christopher Donnan. (See "Moche Art of Peru" by Christopher Donnan, University of California, Los Angeles, CA., 1978, pp.158-174.) This Moche owl deity, seen in the "Presentation Theme" as defined by Donnan which is also identified as "Figure B", is a priest seen in an owl-hooded costume holding a goblet with blood from the sacrifice. There are also other known Moche ceramic vessels that portray this figure, as seen in the work noted above (Nos. 248 and 271.). The owl was sacred to the Moche because of it's night vision and sharp hunting skills at night, and because of their nocturnal nature, they were associated with death and were thought to travel between the living and spirit world. There are examples of Moche ceramics with a captive tied to the back of the owl, and this may represent the owl carrying the captive to the other world. The standing owl, seen in combination with the five figures that run around the main body of this vessel, are all related to Moche ceremony and sacrifice. The active red-brown sea lion depicted on this piece shows several round objects, seen at the front of the eye and on the stomach area, and are round stones that the sea lions frequently cough up when they are hunted. These stones were considered sacred by the Moche and were thought to have extremely powerful medicinal properties. The lively artistic style of the sea lion is exceptional, and has a great deal of expression. The hooded male figure, seen at the front of the vessel, may represent a sacrificial victim. It is interesting to note that one of the owl's feet appear to grip and morph into the hood that is seen on the male figure that is placed just below the body of the owl. The crab is also interesting in that the crab has anthropomorphized human-like eyes. The owl is also thought to represent the "magical flight" ecstatic trance state that was performed by Moche shamans and priests. (This was described in 1638 by Antonio de la Calancha, in the historical Spanish document "Cornica Moralizada del Orden de San Augustin en el Peru, Con Sucesos Egemplares an esta Monarquia", Barcelona, Spain.) The ceramic offered here may represent the owl as presiding over the Moche sacrifices that are offered to the other world, due to the many attributes of the Moche owl deity as noted above, and as such is known as a "sacrificial rite vessel". One of the few examples of this type of vessel was offered by Arte Primitivo, New York, June 2005, no. 329 ($12,000.00-$15,000.00 estimates.) The vessel offered by Arte Primitivo is also red-brown and cream colored, 10.5 inches high, and is Moche IV phase. Ex: F. Hirsch collection, Germany. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and codition:
|
|
Near Eastern Sumerian Banded Marble Fox Stamp Seal
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Near Eastern:
Stone:
Pre AD 1000 item# 778770
|
click for details
|
Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1865.00
|
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:
|
|
|
|
|
