Specialties
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Persian Illuminated Manuscript Page depicting Rostam
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Near Eastern:
Pre 1800 item# 1075483
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1,275.00
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This interesting document is a Persian illuminated manuscript page that depicts the Persian mythical hero Rostam on horseback escaping a dragon. This piece is likely late 17th-18th century A.D., and is approximately 7.5 inches wide by 10.75 inches high. There is some light brown paper ageing seen on the left side and at the bottom of the page, otherwise this intact piece is in superb condition. One side of this page has four lines of elegant nasta'liq script, seen above a fine-line drawn scene, and there are four lines of script seen below. The back side of this detailed document has 20 lines of script, and there are some light red lines that underline sections of script. The fine-line drawn scene has Rostam galloping to the left on horseback, and he is seen looking back at a fire breathing dragon that appears to be emerging from a hidden place. An analogous scene, of Rostam slaying a dragon from horseback with a sword, can be seen on another example offered by Sotheby's New York, "Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art", Oct. 1990, no. 7. (This piece is 7 inches wide by 11.2 inches high, $4,000.00-$6,000.00 estimates. See attached photos.) The piece offered here has great detail within the fine-line drawn scene, and the light blue, white, yellow, and red colors are very vibrant. In addition, the sky above the light blue mountains and the saddle blanket are both highlighted with a gold gilt, and this gives the scene an ethereal perspective. The light blue mountains and the foreground are also meant to convey a magical world, as Rostam was known in Persian myth to have carried out the "Seven Labours of Rostam", and the "Third Stage" of this myth involves his faithful horse awakening him in time to escape a monstrous dragon serpent, which later allowed Rostam to be able to slay this monster. This "Third Stage" scene of the "Seven Labours of Rostam" myth is likely what is seen on the manuscript offered here, as Rostam is also the mythical national hero of "Greater Persia" which originated with the first Persian Empire in Persis circa 1400 B.C. This piece is a better example than what is normally seen on the market, and this document also has great eye appeal. This piece is ready for mounting, and is in a protective plastic cover with a hard backing which is made for storage and shipping. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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X-Rare Early Islamic Glass Flask with Iridescence
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Antiques:
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Ancient World:
Near Eastern:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1027193
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2,375.00
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This extremely rare piece is an early Islamic glass flask, circa 6th-8th century A.D. This intact piece is approximately 2.8 inches high, and is a light green color with multi-colored iridescence that is seen on various inner and outer sections of the vessel. This piece is rather thick walled, has a fairly wide indented bottom, a short tubular neck that has a slight flattening at the base, and a pontil-mark on the bottom. In addition, the neck is folded to the inside, and there are three stepped bulges seen within the neck which are a light yellow, green, and purple color. This piece is likely an early example of Islamic glass, due to the overall fabric of the vessel and the neck design as noted above. This piece is from an extremely rare early Islamic glass group, and some of these extremely rare pieces from this group are also listed as "possibly Sassanian", but given the probable region, i.e. Syro-Palestinian or Cypriot, where this piece was likely manufactured, a Sassanian attribution from modern day central Iran is highly unlikely. This piece, as being from this extremely rare early Islamic glass group, is also one of the earliest Islamic glass examples recorded. An analogous example listed as "possibly Islamic and of possible Syro-Palestinian or Cypriot manufacture", approximately 2.5 inches high, is seen in "Roman and Pre-Roman Glass in the Royal Ontario Museum", by John B. Hayes, Royal Ontario Museum Pub., 1975, no. 670. (See attached photo.) Another extremely rare example is seen in Sotheby Park Bernet Inc., Important Antiquities, New York, Dec. 1978, no. 138. (This piece is nearly the same size as the piece offered here, and is listed as "probably later Sassanian or early Islamic, circa 5th-8th century A.D.") The example offered here has a type of construction within the neck that required a great deal of skill, and is more advanced than the typical late Roman blown glass that is seen in the 4th-5th century A.D. Islamic glass also tends to have several colors within the glass, in contrast to the Sassanian culture, which was known for producing faceted cut glass that was more uniform in color. The Sassanian culture, circa 6th-8th century A.D., was from central modern day Iran, and was very skilled at glass production, and they are known for being able to take a solid cube of glass and carve/sculpt this into a faceted cup, bowl, or a plate. The exceptional small flask offered here is not only in mint condition, but it is also a type that is not seen on the market or in private collections. This extremely rare piece is a little gem and would be an excellent addition to a collection of ancient glass. Ex: 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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Mint Greek Xenon Kantharos with Wave Pattern
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Antiques:
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Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 613441
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1265.00
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This superb piece is a kantharos that is intact and it is a scarce type. This Greek ceramic is classified as "Xenon ware", and was named after a similar kantharos that is now in Frankfurt that bears the inscription "XENON". This type of pottery represents a further aspect of Apulian pottery, which may be a combination of native Greek from southern Italy and mainland Greek, meaning a Greek artist from Attica. This vessel may also have been an importation from Attica into Magna Graecia (southern Italy). This type of kantharos also follows the earlier Greek Attic kantharos types known as a "Saint-Valentin" kantharos, which were produced circa 450 B.C. Both of the types noted above have a ring base and ellipsoid handles. This piece was produced circa 375-350 B.C. and is a glossy blackware with matt pinkish red designs. Xenon ware usually displays decorative motifs such as laurel, wave patterns, ivy leaf, and chevrons. All of these elements are seen on both sides of this piece, and the condition of this vessel is mint, as it is intact and the painted details are very vibrant. There are some spotty white calcite deposits with some root marking in sections of the vessel. This vessel is scarce in this condition and size, as it is approximately 4.25 inches high by 6.25 inches wide from handle to handle. Ex: Private German collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Moche Skeletal Portrait Head Ancestor Vessel
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Americas:
Pre Columbian:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1054243
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1,365.00
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This interesting Moche vessel is in the form of a skeletal head, and it dates circa 200-500 A.D. This piece is approximately 6 inches high, and is intact with no repair/restoration. This piece is mold made from a light brown terracotta, and there are spotty dark black and brown dotted deposits. This piece has a great deal of eye appeal, as the eyes and mouth are framed with shrunken skin not unlike a death skull. There is some academics that think this type of Moche portraiture displays an ancestor from the underworld, or it may portray a sacrifical victim that is seen with his skin ceremoniously flayed back away from the face. Whatever the case may be, there are many Moche vessels that portray a skeletal figurine, and there is likely a spiritual and/or underworld connection to this genre of Moche art. This piece has a flat bottom and is also designed with an upward tilt, in order that the face looks upward at the viewer. This piece is truly a powerful Moche image, and may also represent a "transformation" piece that may be a bridge between the living and the underworld. Ex: Andrea Sarmiento collection, Miami, FL. Ex: Erika Roman estate, Santa Cruz, CA. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Greek Bronze Figurine Votive Model, Minoan/Mycenaean
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Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 987732
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3,675.00
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This extremely rare piece is a model that consists of five bronze figurines. These figurines are votive in nature, and are likely attributed to the Minoan/Mycenaean culture, and date circa LH III, 1400-1100 B.C. The five figurines are approximately 3.5, 3.4, 3.35, 2.0, and 1.75 inches high. The figurines all have a nice light to dark green patina, and there are spotty light brown deposits which are more prevalent on the inside surfaces of the figurines. The figurines are intact, save for the figurine that is approximately 2.0 inches high, which has a missing arm and a crack in the torso. In addition, the largest figurine which is approximately 3.5 inches high, was broken in half and was subsequently repaired with the break being visable. This break in the largest figurine may have been intentional as well, and could have been ceremoniously broken when these figurines were offered as a votive offering. These extremely rare figurines may have been a grave offering, and/or could have been an offering that depicted significant rituals that were associated with rites of passage that involved the dead. This theory was developed by Daniela Lefevre-Novaro, and her theory was supported by the figural terracotta models that were found in the Minoan Kamilari burial complex in Kamilari, Crete. These figural models can now be seen in the Herakleion Archaeological Museum, and date circa LM 1A, 1600-1500 B.C. (See "Coming of Age in Ancient Greece" by Jenifer Neils and John Oakley, Yale University Press, 2003, pp. 40-43. See the attached photo of one of these models.) The five extremely rare bronze figurines offered here are likely three adults and two children, and may represent a family. The arms of all of the figures are seen extended up into the air, and this is an ancient Greek sign of mourning a death, which is often depicted on art from the Greek Late Bronze Age, circa 13th century B.C., and it is therefore logical to assume that the family of figurines seen here may all be mourning a family member. (For two examples of art from the Greek Late Bronze Age that depict images of individuals with raised arms in mourning, see the two larnakes from Tanagra, Greece, which are terracotta chests used as coffins. These pieces can be seen in the Thebes Archaeological Museum, and date circa LH IIIB, 1300-1200 B.C. See attached photos.) The raised arms may also depict and/or represent bull's horns, and these extremely rare pieces may also have served as another type of sacred offering as well, and the exact symbolic representation of these pieces is unknown. What is known, is that these votive pieces represent a culture that made many grave offerings that were grouped together in shrines that were, in many cases, found outside of graves or nearby. The largest bronze figurines have incised line design just above their flared bases, and on the upper torso. This linear artistic incised line design is also seen on many examples of early Greek art from the Late Bronze Age, circa 1300 B.C., down to the Geometric Period, circa 750 B.C. These figurines are also hollow, and have a round hole that is seen where the neck/head may have been attached to the upper torso. The neck/head could have been made from wood, or some other perishable material, and was attached into these holes with a dowel. The majority of these early Greek models are made from terracotta, rather than bronze, and this is another reason why these exceptional figurines are extremely rare. A custom wooden and plexiglas stand is included, and the figurines have a wooden dowel that holds them in place on the stand. These figurines can also be easily removed, as they simply lift off of the stand. Ex: Private German collection. (Additional documentation is available to the purchaser.) I certify that these pieces are authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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La Tolita Terracotta Votive Simian/Shaman Mask
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Antiques:
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Americas:
Pre Columbian:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 905917
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$765.00
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This dramatic piece is from the La Tolita culture that is from northern Ecuador, Esmeraldas region. The La Tolita culture takes its name from a famous site that is located on an island at the mouth of the Santiago River. This superb piece dates circa 400 B.C.-300 A.D., is a light brown terracotta, and is approximately 3.75 inches high by 4 inches wide. This piece is a mask that depicts a simian and/or shaman, and the expression is quite dramatic, as the fine detail of the teeth and nose is easily seen. What makes this mask so interesting is that this mask may represent a simian in a state of transformation, from animal to man, or vice-versa, and it may also represent a shaman with a mask who is seen representing this state of being. This transformation may also have been drug induced, as this culure was known to have used drugs in ceremony. This mask is also votive, and may have served as a spirit mask for a mummy bundle or effigy. There are several holes that run around the edge of this piece that may have been used for attachment. This piece is intact, and has no repair/restoration. There is also some original light white paint that is seen in some of the sections of this piece, along with some spotty dark black/brown mineral deposits. This piece is better than most examples that have been on the market, and is analogous to the example seen in the Museo Arqueologico y Galerias de Arte del Banco Central de Ecuador, Quito. (See "Pre-Columbian Art" by Jose Alcina Franch, Abrams Pub., New York, 1983, p. 432, no. 573.) This piece comes with a custom black plexiglas stand, and can easily be removed, as the mask simply hangs from a pin. Ex: Peter Hacintos collection, New York. Ex: Private Florida collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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X-Rare Esoteric Nazca Ceremonial Vessel: Ex Sackler
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Americas:
Pre Columbian:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1088689
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
Price on Request
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This extremely rare piece is an attractive canteen type vessel that has been classified as Nazca culture, circa 500-600 A.D. This piece is approximately 7 inches high by 8.75 inches wide, has a small raised opening, and is heart shaped. This piece also stands by itself, as it has a flat bottom, and is very easy to handle with both hands due to it's "V-shaped" design. This esoteric "V-shaped" piece has a beautiful dark red glaze, and may have been designed to represent a human heart. In addition, this piece has a small extended central top spout, which somewhat resembles a blood vessel for a heart. This piece also has two lug handles, seen on each side of the vessel, and these handles were made in order to suspend the vessel. The suspension of this vessel acted as an aid for one in the careful pouring of a liquid, and as such, this vessel was probably created for ceremonial use. It is also possible that, given the heart shape, the handle design, and the dark red color of this esoteric piece, the liquid contained within this vessel may have been human blood which was used for ceremony. This piece was also lavishly published with a full page color photo in "Art of the Andes, Pre-Columbian Sculptured and Painted Ceramics from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections" by Paul Clifford and Elizabeth Benson, The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation and The AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, Washington D.C. publishers, 1983, no. 143. The following description of this piece is seen in the above publication on page 268: "The widest area of this kidney-shaped canteen is at the top. Its short spout has a thickened rim, and loop handles are attached to the sides just below the shoulder. The entire vessel is painted with a red slip. Such a vessel shape does not appear in any of the literature, but there is a similar piece in a New York collection known to the author. (The following is a footnote relative to the New York example: "Seen while on loan to the Duke University Museum.") The surface color and finish are comparable to the Nazca panpipes in Number 142 (See attached photo.), and the bottle is therefore included with the Nazca material, although actual provenance is not known. The minimum age indicated in the thermoluminescence analysis indicates that the piece was fired in antiquity, but does not provide any basis of dating beyond that minimum age. Further technical measurements, such as trace element analysis of the clay and analysis of the slip with which the vessel was painted may, in the future, provide a method for establishing provenance, if comparisons can be made with similar analysis of other objects". (The following is a footnote regarding the two thermoluminescence (TL) tests that were performed on this piece by the Sackler Foundation: "OX-TL reference no. 381f1, 02/08/83 and 05/26/83 estimates that the sample tested has a minimum age of 470 years according to results of two TL tests, one to analyze fading.") The bottom of the piece has an inventory no. N-110, and there are two minute holes which indicate where the two above TL tests were taken. This intact piece is also in mint condition, and has an even glaze that is a brilliant deep red color. This extremely rare piece is also one of the top esoteric vessels, if not the most esoteric vessel offered by the Sackler Foundation. Ex: Arthur M. Sackler collection, accession no. N-110. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Roman/Egyptian Bronze Osiris-Dionysos Figurine
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Egyptian:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 599555
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2365.00
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This piece is a Roman bronze that was likely made in Alexandria, Egypt. This piece dates circa 2nd century A.D. and is a complete piece that is seen standing on a plinth. The plinth probably does go with this piece as the patina has matching deposits where the feet meet the top of the base. This rare bronze is likely Osiris-Dionysos and this piece was made to represent more than one god. This figure is seen wearing an Egyptian crown and he is holding a fruit out in his left hand. The fruit may represent the bounty of Egypt, as it was the bread basket of the Roman Empire. This figure is seen nude and this is a Greek convention of art, but this piece was likely made in Egypt, and as such, is a rare Egyptian convention of art as well. The duality of form and purpose of this piece is a reflection of the Romans who lived and worked in Egypt. This piece was probably set up in a shrine in a private home and both gods were probably worshipped at the same time. This piece is approximately 4.2 inches high and the figure itself is approximately 2.9 inches high. This piece has a nice dark green patina with spotty light brown mineral deposits. This piece is mounted with clay on a custom white marble/clear plexiglas stand and the piece can easily be removed. Ex: Christie's Antiquities New York, June 1994, no.191. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Superb Attic Black Glazed Stemless Kylix
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Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1038446
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1,675.00
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This superb little stemless kylix is an Attic ceramic that dates circa 480-470 B.C. This piece is approximately 7.5 inches wide from handle to handle, and is approximately 2.25 inches high. This intact piece is nearly flawless, and has a nice brilliant deep black glaze, especially on the inside of the bowl. This piece also has an offset lip, as seen with the line that runs around the bowl, and is classified as being part of the "Inset Lip Class, circa 480-470 B.C". For the discussion of the type as a whole see: "The Athenian Agora, Vol.12", by B. Sparks and L. Talcott, Princeton University, 1970. This piece is scarce in this superb condition, is an exceptional example for the type, and is a beautiful little gem. Ex: Private Swiss collection. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Rare Early Silver Stater of Aspendos with Hoplite
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1113630
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$925.00
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This rare piece is a Greek silver stater from the ancient Greek city-state of Aspendos, and was minted circa 480-450 B.C. Aspendos was located on the southern coast of modern day Turkey in a region known as Pamphylia. Aspendos was an important port and navel base. It seems to have preferred Persian rule, despite its Greek origins, and even offered resistance to Alexander on his advance through Asia Minor circa 334-333 B.C. Aspendos was subsequently included within the dominions of the Pergamene Kings from circa 189-133 B.C. This piece weighs approximately 10.8 gms, and is minted on the Persic Weight Standard of 11.0 gms for a silver stater. On the obverse, this coin has a nude Greek helmeted hoplite warrior, who is seen walking right, holding a hoplite shield in his extended left arm and a sword in his right hand. On the reverse, there is a triskeles of three human legs, with a standing cock seen below on the left, and an olive branch seen to the right. This rare coin is from the first issue of Aspendos, which was famous for providing Greek hoplites for use in the field. The adoption of the hoplite seen on the obverse was a logical choice, as this coin was minted to pay for it's hoplites in the field. The flan of this coin was also clipped, and was then minted. The clipping of the flan was done to conform this coin to the Persic Weight Standard of 11.0 gms, and this flan was likely a tetradrachm based on the Attic Weight Standard of 17.2 gms, which was hammered, clipped, and re-minted into the coin type that is seen here. The minting of a clipped flan is an indication of a pressing need for coinage, and ancient Greek coinage of this type is seldom seen on the market. This coin has a good very fine condition, and is also a rare first issue from Aspendos. Sear no. 5382. Ex: Spink & Sons, London. Ex: Private German collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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