Specialties
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Superb Greek Bronze Archaic Oinochoe with Lion Handle
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1121819
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$8,675.00
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This superb Greek piece is a bronze oinochoe that dates to the Archaic Period, circa 550-510 B.C., and is approximately 8 inches high by 5.25 inches in diameter. This piece is the upper part of the bronze oinochoe, and it has an amazing designed lion handle which has exceptional detail. The handle has a well defined acanthus palmette design, which is seen at the terminal end of the handle, and this is attached to the main body of the vessel. The handle has a detailed lion's main, which runs up the handle and away from a realistic lion's head which is seen with an open, roaring mouth. The lion's head open mouth shows teeth and an extended tongue, which is also a Greek "Archaic Period" convention of art. This facing lion's head is seen facing the inner spout of the vessel. This impressive piece also has detailed lozenges that run around the upper shoulder of the body, and an exquisitely designed ivy leaf and tendril floral pattern that runs around the neck of the vessel. This beautiful piece has an exceptional dark green patina with heavy dark blue highlights, and some spotty dark brown deposits. This piece is an exceptional "Archaic Period" Greek bronze,with a high degree of art, and is an early Greek vessel that is seldom seen on the market. (An "Archaic Period" Greek bronze oinochoe handle from the Leo Mildenberg collection was offered in Christie's Antiquities, Dec. 2011, no. 98, $4,000.00-$6,000.00 estimates, $5000.00 realized. This piece has an inner spout facing lion's head, flanked by a forepart of a lion on each side, and all are seen at the top of the handle. This piece is approximately 6 inches high, and is not as a high quality as the vessel offered here.) A custom black plexiglas and steel display stand is included. Ex: Private New York collection circa 1990's. Ex: German private collection. (Note: Additional documentation is available to the purchaser.) I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Egyptian Basalt Mace Head, Predynastic Period
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Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Egyptian:
Stone:
Pre AD 1000 item# 806267
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$925.00
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This mint quality piece is an Egyptian black basalt mace-head that dates to the Predynastic Period, Nagada I/Nagada II, circa 4000-3500 B.C. This piece is approximately 2.75 inches high, and has a near perfect globular form. There is a bow drilled hole that runs through the center, and there is wear on the outer edges at each end of the hole. This may be due to the fact that a leather thong was attached through the central perforation, and could have produced wear to the outer edges of the hole at each end. A leather thong was preferred over a rigid shaft that was directly attached to the stone mace-head, because a rigid shaft may not have withstood the blows, as this weapon generated a tremendous amount of energy at the point of attack. This theory was elaborated by Winifred Needler in "Predynastic and Archaic Egypt in The Brooklyn Museum", Brooklyn, New York, 1984, p.145 and 259. The stone that this piece is made from, black basalt, is extremely dense and is one of the hardest stones to carve. The ancient Egyptians were able to carve some of their finest portrait busts from this stone, and in many cases it took years to do this and was a community effort for large scale works. The piece seen here was not easy to make, and is in itself is a work of art, although it is a weapon of war. There are nice cream colored calcite and light brown mineral deposits seen on the outer and inner surfaces of this piece, in addition to areas that have various degrees of wear. A nice weapon that is not often seen in black basalt. A custom stand is included and the piece can easily be removed, as it sits on top of the stand. Ex: Sotheby's Antiquities, Dec. 1995, no. 212. Ex: Private New York 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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Greco-Roman Bronze Bull-Head Steelyard Scale Weight
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Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1119822
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1,675.00.
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This cute piece is a Greco-Roman bronze that is in the form of a bull's head, and this piece dates circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D. This piece is approximately 1.5 inches high by 2 inches wide, and weighs approximately 122.5 gms. This piece is a weight that was designed for a steelyard weight scale, which was a bar that was suspended by a chain that acted as a swivel, and this bar had a chain suspended tray at each end. The scarce weight offered here was simply placed on one of the trays, as this weight was designed with a flat bottom and this piece stands upright. This piece also has a hole that runs through the middle of the neck, and a bar/chain could have also suspended this weight on the steelyard scale bar as well. This attractive piece has floppy ears, almond shaped eyes, and cropped horns. The horns could have also been cropped in antiquity in order to conform this weight to a specific weight of 122.5 gms. This piece also has a beautiful dark blue-green patina, with some dark blue and light brown surface deposits, which lends this attractive a high degree of eye appeal. This piece sits on a custom plexiglas display stand that is also included. Ex: Joel Malter collection, Los Angeles, CA., circa 1980's. Ex: Private CA. collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Rare Seleukos I Greek Silver Alexander Tetradrachm
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Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1119679
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$1,875.00
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This rare ancient Greek coin is a silver tetradrachm that was minted by Seleukos I, circa 305-290 B.C., weighs approximately 15.8 gms, and is in Extremely Fine/Good Very Fine condition. Seleukos I was a general under Alexander the Great, and established his capital in Babylon circa 305 B.C. Seleukos was subsequently able to recover the Asian possessions of Alexander by winning military victories over some of the other former generals of Alexander the Great. The obverse of the rare coin offered here has the head of Herakles facing right, seen wearing a lion's skin head dress; and the reverse has a seated Zeus facing left, holding an eagle. The name of Seleukos is seen behind the seated Zeus, and before, is the forepart of a horse and an anchor symbol which are both mint marks of Seluekos I. This coin was minted in Ecbatana, which was the summer residence of the Persian kings, and is modern day Hamadan in western Iran. This coin was classified in "Coins of the Seleucid Empire from the Collection of Arthur Houghton", by Arthur Houghton, American Numismatic Society, New York, 1983, as being from the Ecbatana mint and minted within the same series as nos. 1128 & 1129, Pl. 67. The coin type seen here is a continuation of the "Herakles-Zeus" type coinage of Alexander the Great which had been inaugurated during his lifetime, and Seleukos I simply substituted his name from that of Alexander, and added his mint mark symbols. One added difference is that the head of Herakles seen on the obverse, may be a deified portrait of Alexander who died in Babylon circa 323 B.C., as the eye clearly is designed in an upturned manner, and this is a Greek Hellenistic convention of portraiture that is intended to show a deified god. In addition, the obverse shows a slight fleshy lump above the nose and lower forehead which Alexander was thought to have developed in the latter stages of his life. The choice of Seleukos continuing the Alexander "Herakles-Zeus" type of coinage, also tied Seleukos I closer to Alexander, and helped to legitimize his rule in Asia. This coin is a rare type, as classified in the "Celebrated Collection of Coins formed by the late Richard C. Lockett, Greek, Part IV, Glendining & Co., London, 1961, no. 2548, Pl. XV. This coin is very different than the bulk of the Alexander "Herakles-Zeus" type coinage, because rather than portraying Herakles on the obverse, this coin type portrays not only Herakles, but also Alexander the Great as a god. There are very few obverse dies that show Herakles with the upturned eye as well, and this was a development in ancient Greek Hellenistic coinage that is seen only after the death of Alexander in 323 B.C. Ex: Spink & Son, London, circa 1960's. Ex: Private CA. collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Greek Terracotta Loom Weight with Hippocamps
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Antiques:
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Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 613883
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$365.00
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This Greek terracotta is in the form of a molded weight. This tan terracotta piece dates circa 4th century B.C. and is a rare type of terracotta, as there are very few known weights that are fashioned from terracotta. The advantage of forming a weight from terracotta is that one can mold an exact size, thus producing a piece with an exact weight. This piece has ten round stamped seals that bear the form of a hippocamp, with two on side A, two on side B, three on side C, two on side D, and one on the bottom. These ten seals seen on this piece may indicate a unit of weight and this weight was used to keep the warp threads perpendicular on verticle looms. These weights were suspended from the threads with the help of rings, that were probably made of metal, and these were attached to the holes in the weight. The round hole seen near the top allowed this piece to suspend and swivel on the metal rings. This piece is approximately 3.5 inches high by 2 inches wide at the center. The shape of the body tapers at the top, which allowed this piece to freely pivot and move on its attached ring swivel. There are sections of calcite deposits seen on the outer surface, and much of the original outer surface remains. If you collect ancient textiles, this would be an interesting addition to your collection. For another weight of this type see Lila Marangou, "Ancient Greek Art, N.P. Goulandris Collection", Athens, Greece, 1996, no. 216. Ex: Private German collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Greek Geometric Bronze Votive Oinochoe Pendant
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 595357
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$425.00
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This Greek bronze oinochoe is known as a "votive pendant" and dates from the Geometric Period, circa 8th-7th century B.C. This piece is approximately 2 inches high and is mounted on a custom clear/marble stand with clay, so it can easily be removed. This piece was votive and was used as an offering in a temple, or a grave, and was also made for use as an offering at an oracle site such as Dodona or Delphi. This piece is in the form of an oinochoe which was used primarily for pouring wine, and as a sacred offering, it served as a wine offering as well. This piece has a dark brown/green patina and there are heavy mineral deposits seen on the inside of the vessel. An interesting piece and an early Greek bronze. Ex: Bonhams Antiquities, London. Ex: Private English collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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X-Rare Mayan Ballgame Sacred Manopla Stone
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Americas:
Pre Columbian:
Stone:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1113098
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3,765.00
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This extremely rare piece is a Mayan handstone known as a "Manopla", which was used by the ancient Maya when playing the Mayan ballgame. This piece dates circa 550-950 A.D., and is approximately 4.25 inches in diameter. This solid piece is intact, has no breaks and/or repair, and is an extremely rare complete example. This piece is in the form of a round ball, and has an opening on one side which formed the handle for this piece. There are also three round evenly spaced circles that are carved into the outer surface, and these represent the large rubber ball that was used in the Mayan ballgame. There is some slight wear on the outer surface, and some inner wear on the edges of the handle, and this inner wear is probably due to the fact that this piece was used a great deal as a hand held stone in the Mayan ballgame. The outer wear, was also probably caused with contact with the hard rubber ball. According to Linda Schele in "The Maya Cosmos, Three Thousand Years on the Shaman's Path", William Morrow and Co., Inc., New York, 1993, p. 343: "The hardness of the Maya ball and the danger of receiving it against unprotected flesh was apparently the same as in the Aztec game. A Maya ballplayer wore cotton padding around his pelvis, cotton padding and a heavy U-shaped protector called a yoke around the waist, thick cloth padding wrapped around his forearm, a single knee pad on one leg, and a calf-length leather skirt over his lioncloth. Sometimes they held a small handstone, used perhaps to put the ball into play. A stone object called a palma projected from the yoke in the center of their bodies. Most known yokes are made from stone, but one recovered from Burial 195 at Tikal was made of wood and cut in the typical grooved form shown in Maya imagery. Ballplaying gear also included the headdresses and other symbols of important gods, indicating that players probably assumed the roles of cosmic beings, elevating their play to the level of a great cosmic drama." Schele also descibes this Mayan handstone in "The Blood of Kings, Dynasty and Ritual in Maya Art", Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, 1986, p. 248: "Handstones may have been used to protect the hand in play, or perhaps when setting the heavy ball in motion, as appears to be the case on the Center Marker from the ballcourt at Copan. A figurine in the Munson-Williams-Proctor collection (Pl. 99) shows a ballplayer seated in a stately posture as if posed for a formal portrait, who holds a handstone at his side." (See attached photo.) The Maya played the ballgame as a sacred event which was tied to their gods, as noted by Schele, and the role of the Mayan handstone offered here had a sacred use in the game that is not totally understood by modern scholars. What is known, is that this type of stone piece is extremely rare in the market, and is not seen as much as the other Mayan stone implements that were used in the Mayan ballgame such as palmas, hachas, and yokes. This piece has some spotty white calcite and minute black mineral deposits. This piece also sits on a custom black plexiglas stand. Ex: Anthony Slaytor-Ralph collection, Montecito, CA. circa 1980's. Ex: Private New York collection. 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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Huge Greek Blackware Guttos with Silenus Roundel
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Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1004703
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$2,865.00
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This scarce huge piece is a Greek blackware guttos that dates circa 4th century B.C. This attractive vessel is approximately 6.5 inches high by 6 inches wide from the top of the spout to the opposite side. This piece is intact and is in mint condition, save a small stress crack that is seen in the middle of the spout. The surface of this exceptional piece has a nice multi-colored iridescent patina with a rich glossy black glaze, and some spotty white calcite deposits. This piece is an extremely large example for the type, and there is no glaze loss and cracking which is usually seen as well. This vessel has an extended trumpeted spout, a looped handle, detailed attractive ribbed sides, and a roundel of a grimacing facing Silenus head with wild billowing hair. Silenus was a woodland deity in ancient Greek mythology, and this piece shows his image very well as the unruly companion of Dionysus. This roundel with the facing Silenus head was mold made, and the Silenus head has very high relief and is approximately .75 inches high. This type of vessel likely held precious oil, and was used in ceremony as well as for everyday use. There is only one opening into the vessel through the spout, and the looped handle gave one exact control over the liquid. The extended round footed base of this piece gave this vessel an added capacity for liquids, and Greek guttos vessels of this type do not usually have this design feature. This piece may have also been produced in Athens for export, and this type of vessel was also made in the Greek colonies of southern Italy. A nice intact scarce large vessel that is seldom seen on the market. Ex: J.J. Klejman, New York. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Elegant Greek Bronze Kantharos with Gold Gilt
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1103076
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
Sold
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This superb Hellenistic Greek bronze vessel is a kantharos cup that dates circa 350-300 B.C. This complete piece is approximately 5.5 inches wide, from handle to handle, and is 2.3 inches high. This elegant piece was made from four individual pieces; the two cast elongated handles, the cast ring base, and the hand beaten bowl. This attractive piece also has a superb dark green and red patina, and there are sections on the outer surfaces of this piece which display some of it's original gold gilt. This piece probably graced the table of a wealthy Greek owner, as in antiquity this type of vessel was expensive to make, and elegant drinking vessels of this type were an important component of the symposium, which was a ritualized drinking party enjoyed by elite Greek men. This elegant piece is in superb to mint condition, and as such, is a rare example with great eye appeal. An analogous example was offered in Sotheby's Antiquities, New York, June 1995, no. 338, $3,000.00-$5,000.00 estimates, $4,887.00 realized. (For a related example, see G. Richter, "Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Bronzes", pp. 216-217, no. 596. Another near identical example can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gallery 171; and this piece is approximately 2.25 inches high by 3.6 inches in diameter for the bowl. Accession no. 21.88.68, Rodgers Fund 1921.) Ex: Private Mass. collection. 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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