Specialties
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Cute Geometric Greek/Anatolian Votive Bronze Bull
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
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. 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.
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Attractive Ceremonial Chimu Silver Offering Bowl
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Antiques:
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Americas:
Pre Columbian:
Metalwork:
Pre AD 1000 item# 592720
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1275.00
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This Chimu silver offering bowl is quite attractive and dates circa 1100-1350 AD. This piece is approximately 7.4 inches long by 4.75 inches wide by 2.3 inches high. This silver vessel was hammered from one single sheet of metal, and was formed into the rectangular shape seen here. This piece is slightly thicker at the base, and has a slightly thinner outer edge. This rectangular shape runs concurrent and continually through many Pre-Columbian cultures, and this type of vessel is seen as early as the Olmec circa 400 BC. This shape allows one to easily hold the vessel in one hand, rather than both hands as a round vessel often requires, and two dimples were added on each side for an added grip. This piece was likely used in ceremonies, rather than being created as a votive type vessel, and this may also explain the design of this vessel. An additional dimple was added so that the vessel stands upright and does not fall over. There is also a cross hatch design seen on the upper rim that is often seen on Chimu silver vessels. (See Sotheby's Pre-Columbian, Nov. 2006, lot #296, that shows a Chimu silver beaker with a cross hatch design on the upper rim.) This piece has spotty black magnesian deposits and checkered metal from age. The condition of this vessel is mint, and it is intact. Ex: Jean-Eugene Lions collection, Geneva, Switzerland. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Superb Greek Silver Drachm of Alexander the Great
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Ancient World:
Greek:
Pre AD 1000 item# 776893
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$675.00
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This superb coin is a silver drachm that was minted shortly after the death of Alexander the Great circa 323 B.C. This coin was minted circa 323-310 B.C. in Pella, the capital of Macedonia, and the mint mark is the Macedonian royal star burst symbol that is seen on the reverse, at the front of the seated Zeus. The seated Zeus is also seen holding the sacred eagle which was a messenger of the gods. Behind the seated Zeus, is the name, Philip, who was the half brother of Alexander, and Philip III was declared king after the death of Alexander. The obverse shows the head of Heracles in a lion's skin headdress. The portrait seen here is also a very close likeness of Alexander, and was likely intended to portray both Heracles and Alexander. The flan of this coin is very large, and one can see the edge of the die that runs around the outer edge. This in itself makes this coin an exceptional example, and is not often seen in this size. ( 20mm in diamter. ) This coin also is approximately 4.3 grams, and is minted on the Attic standard. I certify that this coin 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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Antiques:
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Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
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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Near Eastern Luristan Bronze Armlet with Chevrons
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Ancient World:
Near Eastern:
Metalwork:
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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Superb Moche Lizard Stirrup Vessel
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Pre Columbian:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 809739
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1275.00
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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:
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Greek Terracotta Figure of a Votaress: 5th Century BC
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Antiques:
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Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 680621
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1675.00
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This complete piece is a Greek standing terracotta figure of a votaress. This piece is approximately 8.75 inches high and dates circa 5th century BC. This piece is intact and has no repair/restoration. There are some light brown earthen deposits that are adhered to the surface, and this is an indication that this piece has not been over cleaned, and as such, the surface of this piece is superb quality with little wear. This piece was mold made and was designed with a trapezoidal base. This votaress may represent the Greek goddess Demeter, who is seen wearing a pleated chiton and a himation that is seen draped over her shoulders. She has a slight smile and is seen holding a piglet against her breasts with both hands, and this piglet is probably a votive offering. (See Sotheby's Antiquities New York, June 2004, no. 33 and Sotheby's Antiquities New York, Dec. 2000, no. 84, for other analogous examples. The two pieces cited here are approximately 10.5 inches and 8.25 inches high.) These terracotta figurines are thought to be votive in nature, and represented the offering that is seen within the piece itself, and consequently, this piece was intended as a substitute for the actual offering. This piece is scarce in this intact condition, has nice eye appeal, and is an excellent example for the type. This piece is also mounted on a custom wooden base. Ex: German private 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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Costa Rican Jade Necklace with Celt God Pendant
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Antiques:
Regional Art:
Americas:
Pre Columbian:
Stone:
Pre AD 1000 item# 701988
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$875.00
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This piece is made of 22 tubular jade beads and a complete celt god pendant. The beads strung together are approximately 22 inches long, and the celt god pendant is approximately 4 inches high by 1 inch wide near the base. This piece dates circa 200-500 A.D. and it was produced in northern Costa Rica, in an area known as the Atlantic Watershed region. The beads and the pendant were bow-drilled, with a hole created from each end. The pendant shows line cut design and is likely an anthropomorphic human image. These pendants had magical properties and were worn as personal adornments which conveyed the status and rank of the owner. The ax god jade pendant type was first developed by the Olmec circa 1200-1000 B.C., and this type of object was also votive. This type of object is also found in many Pre-Columbian cultures in Mexico and Guatemala. This type of jade object is explained in detail by Frederick Lange in "Precolumbian Jade", University of Utah Press, 1993. This piece can be worn as is, but probably needs to be restrung. Ex: F. Hirsch collection, Germany. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Rare Archaic Greek Marble Griffin Table Leg
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Antiques:
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Ancient World:
Greek:
Sculpture:
Pre AD 1000 item# 599951
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$5675.00
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This extremely rare Greek marble dates from the 6th-4th century B.C., and is the upper torso of a griffin. This esoteric piece was part of a table leg known as a "trapezophoros" that supported a table top with several other identical legs. The "trapezophoros" types are usually designed with panther or lion heads, and the rarest type is the griffon type, and only a handful of these examples are known. This piece has a bird-like mouth and tongue, with cat-like short ears and eyes, and eagle feathers seen on each side of the neck. For the Greeks, the griffin symbolized the destroying power of the gods, and during the 5th-4th century B.C., it came to represent an anti-Persian symbol. A limited number of Greek gold staters, minted by Alexander the Great in Asia, had this symbol on the Corinthian helmet of Athena, which was seen on the obverse of this coinage. This symbol was also prevalent on Greek armour at the battle of Gaugamela in September 331 B.C., where Alexander the Great finally smashed the Persian army by decimating over 165,000 Persians, and this battle forever defined the ultimate confrontation between the East and the West. In ancient Greek art, the griffin was also applied in the decoration of friezes, and the Romans followed this tradition, with one of the finest examples seen at the temple of Antoninus and Faustina in Rome. This piece is approximately 14.5 inches high, and on the custom wooden stand it is 17.5 inches high. This solid piece is quite heavy, and it rotates on the stand as well, allowing one to easily display this piece at different angles. This piece has some chips to the mouth area and to the right ear, otherwise the bust of the griffin is nearly complete. This esoteric piece has a nice light brown patina and it is a very decorative piece. The griffin is seen with an open mouth and it exudes a lively look. An extremely rare early Greek piece with a great deal of symbolism. Ex: F. Hirsch collection, Germany. Ex: Private German collection. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Beautiful Greek Bronze Fluted Kalyx Cup
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
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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