Catalog (305)

Apulian black-glazed guttus of globular body with gently sloped shoulder, upright narrow neck and flared spout. The flared rim decorated with impressed rings.
The loop handle is attached on the shoulder, which is embellished with horizontal grooves.
For a related vessel, cf. vase no. 5452a 1, pl. 17a, p. 365 (vol. 1) in: Jean-Paul Morel. Céramique Campanienne: Les Formes. Rome 1981.
Ceramic
Greek Apulian, 350-300 BC
H. 10.5 cm (4.1 in)
D. 9 cm (3.5 in) ...

Black-glazed Apulian plate with gently raised, shallow floor. The low sloping rim with a flat top. Imprint from the foot of another dish and corresponding discoloration on the floor.
Low foot with a bevelled molding at the bottom. Slight fingermarks around the foot where the plate was held for dipping into the black glaze. Covered with a fine black glaze of metallic lustre.
The expert modeling and the application of a glossy black glaze suggest that the plate was inspired by meta...

Elegant Apulian plate covered with black, shiny metallic glaze. The shallow floor with a low sloping rim with flattened top. Impression from the foot of another dish on the floor.
Low foot with bevelled molding at the bottom. Slight fingermarks around the foot where the plate was held for dipping into the black glaze. Covered with a fine black glaze of metallic lustre.
The expert modeling and the application of a glossy black glaze suggest that the plate was inspired by metal exam...

The page deals with the creation of nature and of Adam on the sixth day of Genesis.
Important woodcut with God the Father creating Adam from a lump of clay. The nature on the right is depicted as a harmonious Eden with gentle animals.
The verso, entitled ‘de sanctificatione septime diei’, is about the blessing of the seventh day following the fulfilment of creation.
The spectacular woodcut shows God the Father flanked by a hierarchy of angels, listed on the left as Serap...

Important woodcut of God the Father creating Eve from Adam’s rib.
According to Genesis, God the Father created Adam and placed him in the Garden of Eden. There he was given dominion over the animals, which he named. But he himself had no mate. God made Adam fall into a deep sleep and created his mate Eve from one of his ribs.
The recto with two blocks of Latin text.
Page from Hartmann Schedel's Liber Chronicarum, more commonly known as the Nuremberg Chronicle. The Latin ve...

Tarentine bone fibula body in the form of a leaping dolphin with dorsal fin and incised details.
The pierced eyes to bear inlays.
The head with its pointed snout is merged into a heavy catch plate.
The missing iron pin joined to the dolphin's body through a spiral hinge. Remains of the iron pin inside the tail.
Mounted on an acrylic base.
For related examples, cf. lot no. 123 in: Cahn Auktionen Basel, September 2008 sale.
L. 3.6 cm (1.4 in)
Fine e...

Bow adornment of a fibula in the shape of a bird. The body flat and round with a raised tiny head. Wings and feathers are rendered as incised lines. The wings crossed over the short tail.
The bone element is unpierced and was adhered to the fibula’s upper side. Metal components of the fibula missing.
For closely related examples, cf. lot no. 124 in: Cahn Auktionen Basel, September 2008 sale.
For similar examples in the Getty Museum, cf. inv. no. 81.AI.109.
Mounted o...

Two-handle Cypriot juglet decorated with groups of concentric circles to each side of the shoulder and narrow bands around the spherical body.
The tall neck flaring to a funnel-shaped mouth; the handles attached to the neck-ridge and the shoulder. Standing on a narrow disc-base.
Hard-fired ceramic with polished orange-brown slip, decorated with black paint.
Closely related, slightly larger, cf. Beazley Archive vase no. 1003687.
Ceramic
Cypriot, Middle Iron Age,...

Larger than usual kylix of Ionian shape showing a deep rounded bowl with high steep rim and slightly tilted handles attached on the belly. The trumpet-shaped foot with flattened resting surface.
The outside of the rim and the handle zone are reserved, as well as the small band inside the lip. No red lines inside.
The shape of the kylix originates from Eastern Greece and was widely exported and soon enough copied in Athens and elsewhere.
The present example may be a South Ita...

The vessel features a reel-shaped body with stepped foot and a flange. The doomed top with the head of Medusa at center. Medusa is rendered with a round face and curls ending in snake heads.
The pyxis is made in one piece and open at the bottom. The piece was not intended for concrete use and served as richly decorated burial object.
The surface shows remains of the original white engobe with gilded areas.
For a related example, cf. Ars Antiqua Auktion IV, Lucerne, December...

Larger than usual skyphos swelling at the upper third of the wall. The conical lower part tapers towards a torus foot.
The horseshoe-shaped handles attached just below the slightly flared rim.
Resting surface and underside reserved; the bottom with two glazed circles and applied red wash.
The shape is close to Lamboglia forme 43, and Morel type 4343a, p. 308, pl. 129.
Ceramic
Greek, Campanian, around 300 BC
H. 15.4 cm (6.1 in)
D. 16 cm (6.3 in) ...

The lid decorated on both sides with a winged Eros seated on a rock and facing left. One figure holds up a mirror with his right hand, the other carries a dish with double hooks, a sash suspended underneath. Flowers in the field.
One Eros wears a kekryphalos with a bun at rear, the other a pointed cap. Both carry earrings, necklaces, bracelets, strings of beads around the chest, the left thigh and anklet, as well as sandals.
The figures are separated by palmettes. Details in added...

Attic black-figure band cup decorated with a lotus and palmette chain. The reserved tondo with concentric circles, a reserved band close to the inner face of the rim.
The gently rounded floor with a barely offset lip and upturned handles.
For a related cup in Geneva, cf. Beazley archive vase no. 5676.
Ceramic
Athens, 500-480 BC
D. 14 cm (5.5 in)
W over handles 19.2 cm (7.6 in)
H. to rim 8.3 cm (3.3 in)
Tiny craze along the tondo; surface of...

Coptic tunic decoration, called clavus, with four registers containing a lion, a hare, a spotted lion and hare.
Wool on linen
Coptic, 4th/6th century AD
Textile size: 18 cm (7.1 in) x 4 cm (1.6 in)
Frame: 27 cm (10.6 in) x 15.5 cm (6.1 in)
Fragment, excellent condition.
Estate of Christian Grand, renowned Swiss art dealer, acquired 1900-1950.

The authenticity of the object is unconditionally guaranteed.

Departing from 874 AD, the German text develops the context of the 5th Council of Constantinople, held 879/880 AD – an initiative of Pope Johannes VIII to appease the Byzantines and obtain their aid against the Saracen threat in Italy.
The hand-colored woodcut of the council shows the pope and a large group of clergy under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, who is depicted as a dove.
On the right, woodcuts of contemporary popes Johannes VIII, Martinus II, Hadrianus III and Stephanu...

The Latin text discusses the origins of Turkish people and shows a man wearing a kaftan-like garment and a pointed hat. He is armed with a scimitar suspended from his twisted belt.
On top the hand-colored woodcut of king Pepin the Short (714-768 AD) holding sceptre and globe. Pepin was the first Carolingian king and father of Charlemagne.
Below is the figure of St. Eucherius with the insignia of a bishop.
The foregoing sheet portrays the early medieval antipope Constantinus...

Woodcut with the martyrdom of Apollinaris outside the city walls of Ravenna.
Taken from a book with legends of the saints in Latin. Apollinaris was considered the founder and bishop of the Christian community of Ravenna. According to the legend, Apollinaris was apprehended at the gates of the city and brutally beaten to death.
Believers venerate Apollinaris a helper against epilepsy.
The text shows different font sizes as well as red text sections and initials. The top of t...

Beautiful female head of a pillar figurine with sharply defined facial features. The elaborate hairdo is reminiscent of Egyptian wigs.
The woman shows beautiful almond-shaped eyes with neatly marked lids. The arched eyebrows span the entire forehead. The nose is gone, the lips are pressed to a gentle smile.
Elaborate style with much use of the modeling tool. Back side left raw.
Pillar figurines were prevalent in Judah during the First Temple period, ca. from 800 to 586 BC. T...