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9054. RARE EARLY VILLANOVAN PYXIS, ca. 8th-7th century BC. The elegant vessel on a high foot with knobbed lid, the whole decorated with bands of red, the rim with hatch patterns. 4 x 5.5 inches. A couple of minor rim chips. Very rare. From the collection of an American diplomat stationed in Italy in the early part of this century.
On sale at: $2450. Place An Order:
9055. RARE EARLY VILLANOVAN GRAY WARE KYATHOS, ca. 8th-6th century BC. The small bowl with high double handle ornamented with two knobs and twin breast-like protrusions. 3.25 x 3.75. A very rare and recognizable type often displayed in museums.
On sale at: $850. Place An Order:
9056. RARE ETRUSCAN BRONZE BOSS, ca. 6th-5th century BC. The thin-metalled boss for funerary use with the molded head of a facing lion with a ring in its mouth. 8 inches in diameter. See 'The Etruscans', Buranelli, #s 27-29 for similar bosses in the Vatican Museum collection. Very rare with such nice detail and condition.
On sale at: $3500. Place An Order:
9057. A MUSEUM QUALITY ETRUSCAN OSSUARY. ca. 2nd century BC. The heavy, hard fired terracotta ossuary (bone box) or sarcophagus with the figure of the deceased reclining on top, four figures in molded relief on the front, the surface with original white pigment. These representing the duel between the brothers Eteocles and Polynices. 9.5 x 16 x 18.25 inches. Corner of lid reattached otherwise intact and in excellent condition. Eteocles and Polynices were the sons of Oedipus and Jocasta. After their father's death it was agreed among them that they should share the kingdom and reign in alternate years. However after Eteocles had finished his year he refused to give up his kingship. This resulted in the Theban war ('The Seven Against Thebes'), 27 years before the Trojan war, wherein the brothers finally met and slew each other in single combat. Complete Etruscan sarcophagi are excessively rare and normally found only in the finest museum collections. Cf. 'Etruscan Life and Afterlife', ed. Larissa Bonafonte. p. 119, IV-34 for a very similar piece with the same scene in the Liverpool National Museum and Art Gallery.
On sale at: $34,500. Place An Order:
9058. A SUPERB ETRUSCAN ANTEFIX, ca. 6th-5th century BC. The antefix with the facing head of the god Pan with bushy beard and goat horns, the face with original red pigment and the beard, eyebrows and pupils of the eyes with the original black. 5.5 x 6 inches. The face intact and in excellent condition. Cf. Christie's Dec. 1998, #82 for a very similar antefix in inferior condition estimated at $10,000-$15,000. A wonderful early piece of impeccable style.
On sale at: $17,500. Place An Order:
9060. MONUMENTAL ETRUSCAN TERRA COTTA FOOT. Classic Period, ca. 5th-4th century BC. The huge over life-sized foot with superb molded detail, including very lifelike nails and realistic anklebones, considerable remains of red pigment. 5.5 x 5.75 x 14 inches. From the collection of an Italian diplomat formed early this century. The Etruscans produced probably the finest large terra cotta figures of the ancient world. A choice example with excellent detail and in wonderful intact condition. Note the compressed position of the little toe indicative that the owner was in the habit of wearing shoes too small for his feet, a fine example of the Etruscan masters' attention to realistic detail. Excessively rare this large. A museum quality piece.
On sale at: $3250. Place An Order:
9061. MONUMENTAL ETRUSCAN TERRA COTTA FOOT. Classic Period, ca. 5th-4th century BC. The large life-sized foot with superb molded detail, including very lifelike nails and realistic anklebones, considerable remains of red pigment. 4.5 x 5.6 x 11.5 inches. From the collection of an Italian diplomat formed early this century. The Etruscans produced probably the finest large terra cotta figures of the ancient world. A choice example with excellent detail and in wonderful intact condition with a clean break at the ankle. Extremely rare this nice. A museum quality piece.
On sale at: $3250. Place An Order:
9062. A LARGE ETRUSCAN TERRA COTTA FOOT. Classic Period, ca. 5th-4th century BC. The near life-sized or child-sized foot with excellent molded details. 3.75 x 4.1 x 8.1 inches. From the collection of an Italian diplomat formed early this century. The Etruscans produced probably the finest large terra cotta figures of the ancient world. Rare.
On sale at: $1450. Place An Order:
9063. LARGE ETRUSCAN TERRA COTTA FOOT. Classic Period, ca. 5th-4th century BC. The near life-sized or child-sized foot with nicely molded details. 3.75 x 4.6 x 7.3 inches. From the collection of an Italian diplomat formed early this century. The Etruscans produced probably the finest large terra cotta figures of the ancient world. Rare.
On sale at: $750. Place An Order:
9064. LARGE ETRUSCAN TERRA COTTA HAND. Classic Period, ca. 5th-4th century BC. The near life-sized hand complete with considerable remains of red pigment both sides, molded detail on one side only. 8 inches. From the collection of an Italian diplomat formed early this century. The Etruscans produced probably the finest large terra cotta figures of the ancient world. Very rare.
On sale at: $1250. Place An Order:
9065. FRAGMENTARY LARGE ETRUSCAN FOOT. Classic Period, ca. 5th-4th century BC. The near life-sized fragment with four toes with detailed nails. 4.8 inches. From the collection of an Italian diplomat formed early this century. The Etruscans produced probably the finest large terra cotta figures of the ancient world. Rare.
On sale at: $625. Place An Order:
9066. SUPERB ARCHAIC ETRUSCAN PROTOME, ca. 6th century BC. The bust of a goddess done in the finest archaic style with high cheekbones and with a wonderful archaic smile. 3.6 x 6 inches. Chip to base. Very fine example.
On sale at: $2850. Place An Order:
9067. CHOICE ETRUSCAN BUCCERO OIL LAMP. Hellenistic, ca. 3rd century BC. The fine black ware lamp of general Hellenistic side lug form but with sharper edges and of typical Etruscan buccero fabric with a fine smooth surface. 3.7 inches. Rare and choice. Museum quality.
On sale at: $1850. Place An Order:
9068. AN INSCRIBED ROMAN MARBLE FIGURAL STELE. Roman Period, Eastern Mediterranean, ca. 2nd-3rd century AD. The marble slab topped by a triangular cornice with projecting akroteria, vine leaves carved in the side angles, in an alcove with arched top the figure of the deceased, a robed young man standing facing holding up an uncertain offering in this right hand, a mounting tenon at the bottom, the body inscribed with seven lines of Greek characters: ETOUSS R(P retrograde=Koppa)QM(small capital H over M)LWOU.T.I./IOLLAS OPATHR K/TATEAS HMHTHRE/TEIMHSAN IOLLAN/TONUION.EIDETISPRO/SAMARTHTWTAFW/QHSE?S TOTAMEIO(N)/C.A.F. which read "In the year 297 month Loios 13, Iollas the father and Tateas the mother
honoured Iollas the son. If someone damages the tomb, he should pay to the treasury 500 silver denaria". If the stele dates by the Sullan Era, the date could be 214 A.D. 2 x 12 x 23 inches. 35 lbs. Chips to top, otherwise nice condition with all letters of inscription readable but one or two which can be inferred.
On sale at: $4500. Place An Order:
9069. IMPRESSIVE PALMYRAN LIMESTONE PRIESTESS. Roman Syria, ca. 2nd century AD. The sizable limestone figure of the robed and veiled priestess holding a patera (offering bowl) and staff of authority. 6 x 10.5 inches. Rare.
On sale at: $2950. Place An Order:
9070. AN IMPORTANT ROMAN BRONZE FIGURE OF A BARBARIAN REVELER. Ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The bearded male figure, probably Germanic, raising his drinking horn high in celebration or perhaps in an invocation to the gods, his head thrown back gazing skyward, he wears a fur tunic and boots and has a vine wreath upon his head. 4.25 inches. An extremely rare and important piece. Intact and in choice condition with excellent detail.
On sale at: $12,500. Place An Order:
9071. EXCEPTIONAL SMALL ROMAN BRONZE HEAD OF A GODDESS, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The head with hair drawn over her diadem into a knot behind, earrings hanging from her ears. 1 inch. Exceptional fine classical style and excellent condition with good detail all around.
On sale at: $1850. Place An Order:
9072. FINE ROMAN BRONZE BUST OF MERCURY, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The god with long curly hair and winged head, a goat skin draped across his chest, the arms, which are rarely rendered on applicaes, fully defined and extending out from the surface, the left holding the remains of an attribute. 3.7 x 4.6 inches. Repair at neck, otherwise excellent condition and detail. Very rare.
On sale at: $3500. Place An Order:
9073. A ROMAN BRONZE EQUINE HEAD PLATE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The circular equestrian disk with knobbed ornament, two attachment loops at the sides, the type worn over the forehead of a Roman legionary cavalryman's mount. 3.75 inches. Excellent condition and rare.
On sale at: $325. Place An Order:
9075. EXCEPTIONAL LARGE AND HEAVY ROMAN BRONZE BOWL OF POMPEIAN STYLE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The thick-walled bowl with flat bottom and sharply turned up rim with decorative incised bands on the rim and center of the base. 3.25 x 11 inches. A museum quality classic Roman bowl example in excellent condition. Very rare, the largest and most impressive example I've carried.
On sale at: $6500. Place An Order:
9076. CHOICE CLASSIC ROMAN BRONZE DUCK HEAD LADLE OF POMPEIAN TYPE, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The ladle of elegant classic form with high flat handle rising from the edge and turning to the head of a duck with eyes and demarkation of the bill incised. 2.75 x 11.75 inches. Choice example and condition. Museum quality. Very rare this nice. Better than photo.
On sale at: $2500. Place An Order:
9077. CLASSIC ROMAN BRONZE PAN OF POMPEIAN TYPE, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The pan with deep bowl and flat handle terminating in a suspension ring, the base with the classic Roman ribbed base seen in the finest Roman culinary ware in examples found at Pompeii. 2 x 4.4 x 8.5 inches. Choice red, green and brown patina. Extremely rare and normally found only in a few museum collections.
On sale at: $6500. Place An Order:
9078. ORNATE ROMAN BRONZE STRAINER OF POMPEIAN TYPE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The vessel with long openwork handle terminating in a duck head, the container pierced with many fine holes in the bottom. 2.6 x 10 inches. The contained repaired with small gaps. Museum quality, extremely rare.
On sale at: $1850. Place An Order:
9079. A ROMAN BRONZE PATERA OF POMPEIAN TYPE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The offering bowl with (detached) handle with duck's head and engraved palmettes top and bottom. The bowl 8.75 inches in diameter, the handle 7.5 inches. Very rare. Hole on edge of bowl. Needs professional repair and cleaning.
On sale at: $2500. Place An Order:
9080. A FINE ROMAN BRONZE PATERA HANDLE OF POMPEIAN TYPE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The flutted handle terminating in a finely molded head of a boar with engraved details to eyes and fur. 5.6". Nice patina. Very rare this nice.
On sale at: $3500. Place An Order:
9081. A FINE ROMAN BRONZE PATERA HANDLE OF POMPEIAN TYPE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The heavy flutted handle terminating in a finely molded head of a snarling wolf with engraved details to eyes, teeth and fur, engraved floral details also on the attachment. 6.7". Hole in top. Excellent patina. Very rare this nice.
On sale at: $3750. Place An Order:
9082. CHOICE ROMAN BRONZE HERM, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The bronze figure in the classic form of a herm with the winged bust of Hermes above, male organs in the middle, the hair, pubic hair and vines on the body finely engraved, tenon for attachment at the base. 3.6". Excellent quality and condition. Very rare this nice.
On sale at: $2450. Place An Order:
9083. EROTIC ROMAN BONE VENUS. Egypt, prob. Alexandria ca. 2nd-4th century AD. The beautiful maiden standing nude except for a pleated garment which she holds up over her pubic area with her left hand while she cradles her breast with the right, the reverse view shows that the garment has slipped down over her thighs reveling her ample hips. 2.25 inches. A wonderful figure charged with eroticism and in excellent condition except that the suspension loop at top is broken.
On sale at: $625. Place An Order:
9084. EROTIC ROMAN BONE VENUS. Egypt, prob. Alexandria ca. 2nd-4th century AD. The beautiful maiden standing nude except for a pleated garment fastened at her hip by a large brooch which she holds from slipping down over her body or perhaps she is in the process of removing it. 3.2 inches. A wonderful figure charged with eroticism and in excellent condition.
On sale at: $625. Place An Order:
9085. FINE ROMAN TERRA SIGILLATA FIGURAL SHARD WITH FACING HEAD. ca. 3rd-5th century AD. The red ware fragment of the rim of a bowl with a very fine facing head of Zeus Ammon with ram's horns and bushy beards extending to both sides, or possibly Oceanus whose image often appears on opposite sides of a dish with two fish on the other sides; for a complete plate, see Salomonson, 1969, p. 102 (Pl. II 6 = Louvre AO 6639). In this case the 'horns' are, in fact, probably lobster claws. 3.7 inches. Choice example.
On sale at: $425. Place An Order:
9086. FINE ROMAN TERRA SIGILLATA SHARD WITH A LEAPING LION. ca. 3rd-5th century AD. The red ware fragment roughly one quarter of a bowl with a wonderful leaping lion. 2.75 x 4 inches. Choice example.
On sale at: $425. Place An Order:
9087. CLASSIC ROMAN RED WARE BOWL, ca. 1st century BC/AD. The fine shallow bowl with ring base and vertical sides and covered with red glaze, a sharp plantipedia (maker's mark in the form of a footprint with stars, dots and delineated toes) impressed in the center of the tondo and the owner's incised graffito of ownership, a five pointed star incised on the bottom. 7.5". A wonderful classic example.
On sale at: $650. Place An Order:
9088. A ROMAN GLASS BOWL WITH SUPERB IRIDESCENCE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The beautifully formed bowl with wide base tapering slightly inward to the rim, the surface covered with large swirling areas of bright purple and green iridescence, numerous thin linear inclusions within the glass with bright gold iridescence. 3.1 x 3.75. One of the most beautiful examples I've seen. A real museum quality gem.
On sale at: $3500. Place An Order:
9089. FINE LATE ROMAN OR FRANKISH WHEEL-CUT GLASS BEAKER, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The pale aqua blue glass vessel tapering gracefully up from a slightly widened base, three wheel-cut bands around, the glass thicker and more substantial than in many examples. 3.25 x 6 inches. Areas of pale iridescent deposits and traces of dendrites. Some stable lines in the glass but its thickness gives it strength. Cf. Habib Anavian Collection, #89 for a nearly identical though smaller example, also with engraved measurement lines, from Syria. Provenance: Ex Christie's with Christie's tag still attached.
On sale at: $3250. Place An Order:
9090. ROMAN GLASS VIAL WITH SUPERB IRIDESCENCE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The double pinched vial of pale aqua glass, the surface with beautiful frosty silver and pale peacock iridescence. 3.75 inches. Intact choice condition. A lovely specimen.
On sale at: $1850. Place An Order:
9091. A LARGE ROMAN GLASS VIAL, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The vial with very tall neck (repaired) with rolled rim and beehive base with conical interior decanter base with pontil mark. 7.4 inches. Light lime deposits and iridescence.
On sale at: $625. Place An Order:
9092. A FINE ROMAN GLASS BEAKER, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The body of the straight-walled beaker covered in fine silvery blue iridescence with some ancient soil. 3 x 3.9 inches. A beautiful and rare example.
On sale at: $1850. Place An Order:
9093. A FINE ROMAN GLASS DOUBLE CHAMBERED VIAL, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. the bottle with double-pinched body and high neck with wide funnel rim. 5.1 inches. Intact, the body covered with silvery peacock iridescence.
On sale at: $425. Place An Order:
9094. AN EXCEPTIONAL ROMAN MOLDED LEAD SPINDLE WHORL, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The whorl with a ring of crisply molded vine leaves one side, a ring of alternating short and long knobs on the other. 1.3 inches. The nicest example I've seen. Museum quality. Very rare.
On sale at: $625. Place An Order:
9095. A RARE ROMAN IRON ADZE AXE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. Heavy socketed implement. 7.5". Nice condition.
On sale at: $2250. Place An Order:
9096. A RARE AND FINE ROMAN BRONZE TORCHIER, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The tall hollow torchier with wide angled lip with soot deposits, a molded drip plate below, the ten-sided body running down to a multiply ridged and ornamented area ending in a square footed base. 2.1 x 13.5 inches. Choice condition with tiny nick at top. Museum quality and extremely rare.
On sale at: $8500. Place An Order:
9097. A RARE ROMAN SILVER OIL LAMP FILLER, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The filler with deep hemispheric bowl, palmette handle and trough spout, incised decoration on the rim. 3.75 inches. A fairly common artifact in bronze, this is the only example I've carried formed from silver. Excellent condition with old toned patina. Free standing on its own flat base. Extremely rare.
On sale at: $2450. Place An Order:
9098. VERY LARGE MUSEUM QUALITY ROMAN OIL LAMP, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The lamp with deeply concave discus and volute spout, the discus with the molded figure of a Triton with the body of a man and long fish tails for legs blowing his seashell horn, a raised V or lambda maker's mark on the bottom. 3.75 x 5.2 inches. Repair, but all original. A wonderful very large classic Roman lamp. faint old Museum numbers inked on the bottom.
On sale at: $5500. Place An Order:
9099. CHOICE RARE ROMAN GLADIATOR LAMP, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The gray ware lamp with deeply concave discus and volute spout with a Retiarus (trident and net fighter) fighting a bare chested Thracian gladiator wearing feather-crested helmet, loin protector and right arm pad. The Retiarus is getting the worst of the battle, he has lost his net and now holds a gladius in his left hand his trident still in his right, however he has fallen to his knees and is about to be dispatched by the Thracian's sword. 4.1 inches. Repair with small patches and gaps on the bottom, the discus scene all original and complete. Probably only the second known representation of a Retiarus on a Roman lamp (references included). Thracians were among the most popular and admired gladiators in classical times, the most famous of all, Spartacus, was in fact a Thracian. Excessively rare. Museum quality.
On sale at: $6500. Place An Order:
9100. CHOICE RARE ROMAN GLADIATOR LAMP, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The red ware lamp with ring handle and snub spout with two bare chested Thracian gladiators wearing feather-crested helmets, loin protectors and right arm pads, fighting on the discus. One has pinned the other to the ground with his knee and is about to run him through from behind with his gladius, the maker's mark IDOM??P stamped in the bottom. 4.25 inches. Thracians were among the most popular and admired gladiators in classical times, the most famous of all, Spartacus, was in fact a Thracian. Very rare. Intact choice condition. Museum quality.
On sale at: $3500. Place An Order:
9101. CHOICE RARE ROMAN GLADIATOR LAMP, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The red ware lamp with volute spout and the molded figure of a gladiator wearing helmet, loin protection, boots and right arm padding, and wielding a Roman gladius (the Roman short sword) and carrying a rectangular shield, the maker's mark a raised 'H' on the bottom. 4.3 inches. Very rare. Museum quality.
On sale at: $3250. Place An Order:
9102. LARGE DOUBLE SPOUTED ROMAN OIL LAMP, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The large gray ware lamp with twin volute spouts and leaf handle with ring below, on the discus a finely molded scene of a lion attacking a mare. The scene with strong erotic overtones, as the lion rather gently mounts the mare from the rear and rather than the usual biting lion, this heavily maned male looks to the side with his tongue lolling in an expression more of sexual interest than aggression. 5.57 inches. Intact and choice. Museum quality.
On sale at: $2850. Place An Order:
9103. FINE ROMAN EROTIC OIL LAMP WITH LEDA AND THE SWAN, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The buff ware lamp with ring handle and snubbed volute spout, on the discus the classic mythological scene of Leda and the swan, Leda nude and wearing a bracelet, armlet and anklet reclines to the left on a mat, while the swan, its powerful wings spread, rears between her thighs as it snakes its long neck to deliver a kiss with its bill. 3.75 inches. Intact and choice, a museum quality example.
On sale at: $2850. Place An Order:
9104. FINE ROMAN EROTIC OIL LAMP WITH A LADY BATHING, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The gray ware lamp with ring handle and volute spout, on the discus a rear view of a naked female squatting before a corkscrew pillar which supports a toilet vessel, she has her hair done up and holds what is probably a bath cloth in her right hand, the maker's mark LMADIEC stamped on the bottom. 4.2 inches. Intact and choice.
On sale at: $1850. Place An Order:
9105. FINE ROMAN OIL LAMP WITH A RARE MYTHOLOGICAL SCENE, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The red ware lamp with volute spout, the discus with a molded scene of a robed woman standing behind a goat clasping it by the horns, a small child below raising its arms in supplication towards the goat's udder. This scene represents the myth of the she-goat Amalthea who suckled the infant Jupiter, the robed figure behind is the nymph Adrastea, who had charge, with others, of Jupiter's earliest years. The legend goes on to state that the infant Jove, while playing with his four-footed foster parent, accidentally broke off one of her horns. This was made to serve originally as a drinking cup but in later versions of the myth it is filled to overflowing with all the abundance of the field and becomes the ubiquitous Cornu Copia, the Horn of Plenty, given by the infant Jove to Adrastea. 3.75 inches. Light dendritic lime deposits on the bottom. A rare and important representation of the myth rendered in fine Classical style. Better than photo.
On sale at: $3450. Place An Order:
9106. RARE ROMAN OIL LAMP WITH UNUSUAL MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE. Eastern Mediterranean, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The lamp with vertical handle and snub spout, a very unusual mythological creature with the head of a bird, the body of a beast, and a fishes tail molded on the discus. 3.5 inches. A rare type and deserving of further study. Intact and choice.
On sale at: $1850. Place An Order:
9107. A FINE ROMAN OIL LAMP WITH IRIS AND SARAPIS, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The larger pale yellow ware lamp with vertical handle and snub spout, confronting busts of Isis and Zeus Sarapis molded on the discus. 4.5 inches. The Egypto-Greek cult of Isis and Sarapis spread widely through the Eastern Mediterranean in late Hellenistic and early Roman times. Intact and choice.
On sale at: $2500. Place An Order:
9108. CLASSIC ROMAN OIL LAMP, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The classic red ware lamp with deeply concave discus and volute spout, on the discus a beardless male strides left. Though he holds what appears to be a club and could possibly be Hercules, he is more probably Dionysos, as he wears a goatskin and strides among grapevines. He looks back at what is probably a wine cup which he holds in his left hand. 4.25 inches. Museum quality. Intact and choice with a wonderful classic scene.
On sale at: $2850. Place An Order:
9109. CLASSIC ROMAN OIL LAMP WITH AN ACTOR'S MASK, ca. 1st-2nd century AD. The larger red ware lamp with ring handle and volute spout, a sharp classic actor's mask molded on the discus next to the filler hole, a maker's mark stamped on the bottom. 5 inches. Intact and choice.
On sale at: $2450. Place An Order:
9110. FINE ROMAN OIL LAMP WITH A BUTTING BULL, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The red ware lamp of circular form with snub spout, on the discus an animated bull rearing and turning its head slightly sideways in the instant just before the charge. 3.2 inches. Intact and choice.
On sale at: $950. Place An Order:
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