Pre-Columbian, Rio Magdalena, Colombia, ca. 800 - 1500 AD. Terracotta lid to one of the large urns used by this culture for both storage and burial. Female form, although the anatomy is a bit out of place, with female holding her stomach with both hands just above her genetalia. She wears long necklace and shows off very exagerated vertabrae down her back. 6"H x 6"D at base, intact/excellent, save small chip to rim. ...click for details
From ancient Rome, ca 1st to 3rd centuries AD. A very large (and unlike many on the market today, absolutely genuine) bronze fibula, used by the military and elite alike to hold their togas closed (thereby making toga parties far less fun than today). Knee formed spring housing and open-work clasp. 3"L x 7/8"W, in generally excellent condition, with pin section restored. ...click for details
From the ancient Near East, Holy Land, ca. 500 BC. Nicely sculpted terracotta bovine carrying two large baskets across its broad shoulders; long horns and dewlap adorn head. Painted in black leaf pattern over buff clay. 6-1/2"L x 3-1/2"H, intact/excellent.
Most unusual and delightful! From southern Italy, dating between the 5th and 4th centuries BC. A slithering snake, either bronze with high copper content, or solid copper; with a long, thin tail and wide head, shown in motion. 4-1/4" L. In excellent condition, save possibly missing very tip of head.
One of the finest examples of ancient medical devices we've seen... Roman, ca 1st to 2nd AD. Elongated spade-shaped probe with twisted shaft and smooth handle ending in oval terminal. The patina on this is like glass with deep tones of brown and green. 6-1/2"L, intact and choice!
Provenance: Ex-A Gualario Collection, Tampa, FL a ...click for details
Pre-Columbian, from Southern Mexico, Guerrero, Ca 500 BC. Nice long strand of jade / jadeite beads accented in center with small human head pendant. Each bead painstakingly hand cut and polished, in sizes ranging from 7 to 15mm in diameter, with green hardstone pendant with indications for ears, drilled eyes and slit mouth, 23 mm long by 25mm wide. 25"L ...click for details
Pre-Columbian, from Northern Peru, Chimu, Ca 1200 to 1400 AD. Silver kero used for drinking Chicha (Inca beer) made from hand-hammered sheet silver. Typical funnel-shaped body with very thin rim and narrow foot. 6"H x 5-1/16" base diameter, intact, save one or two small holes in body and a bit of minor distortion/creasing from age. Still a nice example! ...click for details
Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, ca. 650 to 300 BC. Wooden mummy mask made of cedar, carved into the form of a human face; once colored with vibrant pigments, now lost with time. Seven wooden dowels used to attach mask to the sarcophagus still present. Very striking to see how age and lack of moisture affects the shape of these fascinating items! 11"H, generally very good, wear as shown. Custom stand. ...click for details
From ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, ca. 650 to 300 BC. Wooden mummy mask made of cedar, carved into the form of a human face; once colored with vibrant pigments, now lost with time. Wooden dowels used to attach mask to the sarcophagus still present. Very striking to see how age and lack of moisture affects the shape of these fascinating items! 9-1/4" H, generally very good, with wear as shown. ...click for details
Rio Magdalena, Colombia, Ca. 800-1500 AD. The urn sits with a lightly tapering cylindrical body, the lid with a large seated female figure on a four legged stool. The woman is modeled with a wide trapezoidal face having coffee bean eyes and mouth, large nostrils, her thick calves joining a spindly femur and a barrel shaped chest with small ringed breasts shown in relief, genitals exposed. Total height is 20" x 7-3/8"D. Such an urn would have been used for storage of food or beverage ...click for details
