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Sensual Greek Hellenistic Terracotta of Aphrodite
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Greek:
Pre AD 1000 item# 807465
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
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This exceptional Greek Hellenistic terracotta was mold made from a light brown clay, and has spotty traces of a thin white glaze. This piece dates circa 250-150 B.C. and is in superb condition, with no apparent repair/restoration. This piece is very voluptuous, and has a very sensuous body and beautiful face. There is no question that this piece was meant to portray a young Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love. This piece may be from Myrina in Asia Minor, as this center produced the finest of Greek terracottas in the late Hellenistic period. (For the type see "Classical Terracotta Figures" by James Chesterman, Ward Lock Limited Pub., London, 1974, no. 85.) This figure has her hair set in a detailed "melon-type" coiffure, and there is also detailed rolled hair seen above the forehead. She is also seen seated nude with her hands at her side, and the detail seen in the face and hair is emphasized with the plain design of the torso. This piece was likely votive as well, and/or was possibly a fertility offering. This piece is exceptional in that the molding, relative to the hair and the face, is very detailed as it is beautiful. This piece is approximately 4.7 inches high and sits on a custom black plexiglas stand. This beautiful example has exceptional artistic style, and is not often seen on the market in this quality, as it is mint quality with thin to heavy traces of original white pigment. A terracotta attributed to Myrina with an analogous face is seen in "Greek Terracottas" by R.A. Higgins, Methuen & Co., Pub., London, 1967, Pl. 53, no. C. (See attachment.) Ex: Private German collection. 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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Greek Bronze Bracelet with Geometric Motifs
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Antiques:
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Ancient World:
Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1055090
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$765.00
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This interesting piece is a solid bronze Greek bracelet that dates circa 8th century B.C. This piece is intact, and has no breaks and/or repair and is a very solid piece. This piece has minute geometric motifs: multiple chevrons, small circles, and dashed lines. This piece has a nice dark green patina, and there are beautiful light red highlights with some traces of a gold gilt outer layer. This piece was likely worn in life, and was also a votive type object. This piece is approximately 3.25 inches in diameter, is approximately .25 inches thick on the average, and is approximately .75 inches wide at the center and narrows towards both terminal ends. This piece can be worn today, as it is a very solid piece. For an analogous example see: "Ancient Greek Art, N.P. Goulandris Collection", By Lila Marangou, Athens 1996, no. 248. A custom clear and black plexiglas stand is included. Ex: Christie's Antiquities, New York, June 1994, no. 112. 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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Greek Terracotta Loom Weight with Hippocamps
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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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Superb Greek Bronze Archaic Oinochoe with Lion Handle
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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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Flawless and Esoteric Greek Hellenistic Olpe
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Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1039437
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$465.00
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This flawless piece is an intact Greek olpe vessel that dates circa 4th century B.C. This piece is approximately 6.5 inches high by 3.25 inches in diameter. This esoteric piece has an attractive tan earthern glaze and is made from a light red clay. This piece has nice "as found" deposits, a flat bottom, and a single strap handle. The large open and round mouth was also designed to pour liquid very rapidly, which lends this vessel very well as a table vessel. Vessels of this type were widely produced in the ancient Greek world, and this vessel shape was also produced in bronze. In fact, our research reveals that bronze vessels of this type seem to be more common than the terracotta vessels of this type, and in addition, this type of terracotta vessel seen in this mint condition is scarce, as most examples have some degree of repair/restoration. This piece probably was used for everyday use and may also been a votive example, and the latter case is probably the case here, as this piece has no apparent wear from use. This piece probaly was used for water and/or wine. A nice example seldom seen in this condition. Ex: Bonhams Antiquities, London, April 2004, no. 343. Ex: Private Ill. collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Beautiful Vibrant Greek Apulian Plate
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Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1120850
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3,265.00
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This beautiful piece is a Greek Apulian plate that dates circa 340-315 B.C. This piece is approximately 9.5 inches in diameter, by 2.25 inches high, and has a raised footed ring base. This piece has very vibrant painting which is all original, and the painted line design is complete, which is scarce for a piece of this type, as most examples are missing sections of line design and/or has lost detail due to faded or worn paint. This piece has no over paint, although there is some very limited repair with two small pie shaped shards that are tight fitting. The limited repair is therefore very difficult to see, and overall, this piece is much better than most examples because of its vibrant paint. The artisitc style of this piece is as fine as the vibrant painting, which has detailed white and yellow highlights, and the young female "lady of fashion" has a very pleasing young and beautiful face. This young "lady of fashion" is often seen on Greek Apulian ceramics, and may represent the Greek goddess Persephone, who was queen of the underworld, and presided over the "change of seasons" and "birth and rebirth". She is seen wearing a complex hair net known as a "sakkos", which is decorated with black and white line design. This beautiful piece is attributed to the Stroke-on-Trent Painter, and there is an ivy leaf and two "three-dotted" patterns before, and a fan behind her bust which are all symbols of this painter. Another analogous example is seen in the "Red Figure Vases of South Italy and Sicily" by A.D. Trendall, Thames and Hudson Pub., London, 1989, pl. 254, no. 1. (See attached photo.) This piece also stands on a custom clear plexiglas plate stand. Ex: Private German collection, circa 1980's. Ex: Jurgen Haering Gallery, Freiburg, Germany. Exhibited: BAAF Art Fair, Basel, Switzerland 1999. (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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Rare Greek Apulian Chous with Theatrical Mask
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Ancient World:
Greek:
Pottery:
Pre AD 1000 item# 987545
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$3,265.00
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This rare piece is a Greek Apulian Chous that shows a theatrical mask, which is seen in profile facing right, and dates circa 380-350 B.C. This piece is approximately 4.5 inches high, and is in superb to mint condition with no repair/restoration or overpaint. This rare piece also has very vibrant colors, which are a glossy black, light red, and white. There are also some heavy white calcite deposits seen within the vessel, on the edge of the trefoil mouth, and on the bottom base ring. The detailed theatrical mask is seen within a light red frame which has a floral design at the bottom, and there are several attractive white dot highlights seen within this light red frame as well. The theatrical mask depicted on this piece is a type used by a character in a Greek comedy play known as a "phylax play", and this type of mask was designed with bushy black hair, short black beard, open mouth, and copious facial wrinkles. This type of mask was defined by Trendall as "Type B", and was likely produced by the Truro Painter, circa 380-350 B.C., on Greek Apulian chous vessels of this type. Trendall also stated that the heads of the Truro Painter "often wear white head-bands", and the detailed theatrical mask seen on the piece offered here also has a very prominent white head-band. (See A.D. Trendall, "Phlyax Vases", Second Edition, BICS Supplement 20, 1967. Another vessel of this type is seen in the Virginia Museum in Richmond, Virginia, no. 81.53.) The theatrical mask seen on the vessel offered here, and the vessel noted above, are both designed as a singular depiction, and as such, is seldom seen on Greek Apulian vessels. In addition, the mask seen here is a sharp detailed example and is rarely seen. An analogous Apulian chous of this type was offered in Christie's Antiquities, New York, June 2008, no.195. (Approximately 7.5 inches high, $5,000.00-$7,000.00 estimates, $12,500.00 realized.) Ex: Donna Jacobs Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan. Ex: Robert Novak collection, St. Louis, MO. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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Superb Alexander the Great Silver Drachm
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Greek:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1113374
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
$675.00
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This superb little gem is a Greek silver drachm that was minted shortly after the death of Alexander the Great in Babylon, circa 323 B.C. This coin is in superb to mint state in condition, weighs approximately 4.2 gms, and is perfectly centered on both sides. The obverse shows a portrait of Alexander the Great, facing right, wearing a lion's skin headdress within a dotted border. The reverse shows a seated Zeus, facing left, and is seen holding an eagle on his extended right arm. The name PHILIP is seen behind, and Philip III Arrhidaeus, half brother of Alexander was to share the throne with Alexander IV, the infant son of the late king. The real power still lay behind the generals-Perdikkas, Antigonos, Lysimachos, Seleukos, Ptolemy and others-who were all biding their time for power. The coin seen here likely was minted by Antigonos, who had control of Alexander's Asian posessions shortly after his death. Alexander is also seen as a god on the obverse of this coin, as the face has pronounced upturned eyes which signify Alexander as a deified god. This coin is a superb example for the type, and the artistic style of the obverse portrait of Alexander is very fine. Sear no.6750. Ex: Harlan J. Berk, Chicago, Ill. 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
$6875.00
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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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Superb Greek Classical Period Bronze Ladle
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Greek:
Bronze:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1138214
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Apolonia Ancient Art
303-321-7351 gallery
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This beautiful piece is a Greek bronze ladle that dates circa 5th-4th century B.C. This complete piece is approximately 9.5 inches high, and has a shallow bowl with a verticle handle and an everted duck head terminal. This piece has a high degree of workmanship for a piece of this type, as the duck's head has a delicate small punched round eye and an engraved line that represents the mouth. In addition, the bowl of the ladle was hammered into shape, and the lip is much thicker than the very thin bottom of the bowl, and the round terminal end smoothly transitions to the flat section of the handle. The condition of this piece is superb, and has a beautiful patina with dark green, red, and gold highlights. This piece is also known as a "kyathos", and according to D.E. Strong in "Greek and Roman Gold and Silver Plate", Methuen and Co., Pub., London, 1966, pp. 91-92: "A ladle of this kind, perhaps of the later third century, said to have been found in Akarnanaia, was brought to Athens in 1938, it bears an inscription giving the ancient name of this utensil, the kyathos". Examples of this type, both in bronze and silver, are known in the subsequent Hellenistic and Roman periods, and the Roman types are often referred to as "simpulum". The exceptional piece offered here may also have had a ceremonial use, as well as for everyday table use. This type of piece was also likely used to transfer highly concentrated wine into another vessel which held water, and one could then measure the mixture of wine with water. Another use which perhaps served the same purpose, was that this piece was used at private Greek drinking parties known as "symposia", and was used to transfer wine from the krater to the drinking cups (kylix cups). This exceptional piece is better than most examples, as it has a stunning patina, has a high degree of Classical period workmanship, and has a great deal of eye appeal on it's custom stand. A custom black metal and marble display stand is included. Ex: Private Swiss collection. Ex: Heidi Vollmoeller collection, Zurich, Switzerland. Ex: Christie's Antiquities, London, Oct. 2003, no. 452. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition:
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