Classical Art From The Glory That Was Greece
MINOAN CYCLADIC MILITARIA MARBLE FIGURES BRONZE JEWELRY CORINTHIAN GNATHIAN BLACKWARE PLAINWARE SEALS AMBER GLASS LAMPS DAUNIAN
CYCLADIC ART
8979. AN EXCESSIVELY RARE CYCLADIC BEAK-SPOUTED EWER. Early Cycladic II-III, Kastri Group, Keros-Syros Culture, c. 2400 BC. The highly burnished mirror-surface black ware vessel of spherical form with slant mouth beak-spout, incised 'rope' decoration on the handle. 4 x 7 inches. Intact and choice with light soil adhering. See Goulandris Collection #180-183 for two very nearly identical pieces. An excessively rare and museum quality early Cycladic artwork. On custom acrylic base. Provenance: The collection of a European gentleman.
$12,500.
GREEK RED FIGURE POTTERY
EX CHRISTIE'S ATTRIBUTED TO THE BOWDOIN PAINTER 11120. EXCEPTIONAL CLASSIC ATTIC RED-FIGURE LEKYTHOS. Greece, Athens, about 470 BC. The lekythos depicting the figure of a beautifully painted winged Nike (Goddess of Victory) flying right with head reverted and carrying a disk (victory wreath?) in her left hand, Greek key designs above and below. Of exceptionally beautiful classical style. Provenance: The Princeton Collection, acquired at Christie's Antiquities sale 6 July 1994. Attributed by Christie's to the Bowdoin Painter.
The Bowdoin Painter is known for his Attic red-figured lekythoi painted in the finest high classical style. His pieces are featured in major museums including two in the J. Paul Getty Museum, and others in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Walter's Art Museum, and the Princeton Art Museum.
11121. CLASSIC ATTIC RED FIGURE LEKYTHOS. Athens, Greece, 5th-4th century BC. With winged goddess bearing a jewel box. Detail. Reverse.
MILITARIA - ANCIENT GREEK WEAPONS AND ARMOR
8988. VERY RARE LARGE HOPLITE SPEAR, c. 5th - 4th century BC. Long, finely worked socketed blade with central ridge, two holes for attachment of streamers at the base. Length: 19 inches. Metal composition: Bronze with natural green patina with light soil encrustations. Provenance: Said to have been found near Syracuse in Sicily early this century. Fine Greek weapons and military gear are quite rare in any condition. Here we have a choice example of an exceptionally large Hoplite spear with the edges still quite sharp. A spear like this brings vividly to life the epic battles of the heroic Greek age. We can imagine this piece being broken in the heat of battle as it is in two pieces with a clean break in the middle. Excellent and very rare example.
8987. A SUPERB GREEK BRONZE PALSTAVE AXE, c. 6th-5th century BC. The heavy bronze axe with two flanged channels to receive the handle. 7.6 inches. Excellent condition with superb blue and green patina. The finest example I've carried. Extremely rare museum quality example of fine early Greek toolmaking.
8993. AN IMPORTANT ARCHAIC GREEK BRONZE WARRIOR. Archaic Period, c. 6th century BC. The spade-bearded warrior wearing helmet with cheek pieces, reinforced over the brow and pointed at back, his tunic reaching down to his thighs, his right arm raised to brandish a weapon, his left down at his side. 2.5 inches. Excellent proportions and detail with sharp features and incised detail in beard and tunic. Museum quality, a wonderful example of early Greek art. C.f. the wonderful 5.6 inch example of similar style and form in Sotheby's Dec. 1999 catalog estimated at $200,000-$300,000! Extremely rare.
ANCIENT GREEK MARBLE SCULPTURE, STELE & ALABASTRA
6796. A MARBLE STATUE OF CYBELE. 2nd century BC/AD. The high relief robed female figure with well defined breasts, both hands resting on the head of a lion standing at her side, the symbols of Cybele. 4x5.7x7.7". Rare.
8982. LIMESTONE STELE OF THE YOUNG DIONYSUS AMONG GRAPEVINES. c. 2nd century BC-AD. A sizable limestone figure of the young god standing nude in a grape arbor with his robes fallen down around his thighs, his ringlets falling over his shoulders. 6.5 x 9 x11 inches. 30 lbs. A fine erotically charged piece even though the face was unfortunately defaced likely by early Christians. Free standing. Rare.
8674. A CYPRIOT LIMESTONE FIGURE OF A MALE VOTARY. Cypro-Archaic, 6th century BC. The figure wearing a kilt and flat-topped Egyptian-style headdress which falls over the back of his neck. 2.8 x 5.2 inches. Rare. Considerably better than photo.
8976. FINE CYPRIOT LIMESTONE HEAD. Late Archaic Period, ca. 500 BC. The male head wearing a wreath over his curly hair, traces of reddish pigment on mouth and wreath. 2.25 x 3 x 3.75 inches. Intact with hair detail on flat back. Drilled for mounting on a stand. Rare and a choice example. See a very similar though smaller example in Christie's NY, Dec. 98, #74 with a $4000-$6000 estimate.
BEAUTIFUL LARGE CLASSICAL GREEK SCULPTURAL FRIEZE 9663. A GREEK MARBLE FRIEZE WITH GARLANDED BULLS, late 4th - early 3rd century BC. The frieze with three deeply carved bull heads with connecting garlands draped across them, a rosette and shield medallion above the hanging loops of the garlands. 14 x 44 x 5 inches. In three closely fitting sections which stand on their own together very nicely. A beautifully symmetrical and very decorative and impressive frieze carved of the finest pure white very fine grained marble with a rich honey patina. A very rare large original Classical Greek sculpture.
In ancient Greece bulls were a symbol of fertility and agricultural prosperity. They were led garlanded in seasonal festivals to ensure and celebrate good harvests and civic prosperity. The garlanded bull motif is found fairly frequently in classical Greek art, though usually on a much smaller scale on coins and small ceramics.
Provenance: A private American collection. Purchased from a US antiquities dealer November, 1999.
8251. AN EXCEPTIONAL LARGE GREEK ALABASTRON, c. 6th-5th century BC. Large and heavy perfume vessel of carved alabaster with a cylindrical body with a wide rimmed mouth above the neck. 3.4 x 9.4". Minor rim chips and a little erosion to a natural seam in base. An exceptional and important example, the largest I've carried.
7976. GREEK ALABASTRON, c. 6th century BC. Expertly carved from banded alabaster a thin walled cosmetics container with wide rim and two side lugs. 14 cm. Uncleaned from the ground. Very nice example, better than the image.
9050. A FINE GREEK ALABASTRON, c. 6th-4th century BC. The carved alabaster perfume vessel of fine manufacture and graceful form with a horizontal ridge on the bullet-shaped body and a wide rim. 3.6 inches. A wonderful intact example in choice condition. Rare this nice.
9676. RARE GREEK ALABASTER PYXIS WITH ORIGINAL LID, c. 7th-6th century BC. Of beautiful form with everted knobbed lid. Ancient deposits and minor abrasion. 4.3 inches diameter. Extremely rare! Much superior to image.
ANCIENT GREEK TERRACOTTA FIGURES
THE FACE OF MEDUSA 6754. A FINE GREEK ANTEFIX, c. 5th century BC. Finely modeled terracotta face of the Gorgon Medusa in fine classical style, her tongue protruding, with snakes protruding from her hair. 4 x 4.2". From an old American collection. Museum quality. Rare!
7590. BEAUTIFUL GREEK TERRA COTTA ANTEFIX IN THE FINEST CLASSICAL STYLE, c. 5th Century BC. The Greek city of Taras (Latin Tarentum) located on the inner Southern coast of Italy's heel was founded circa 708 BC by the Spartans. The most important Greek city in Southern Italy during the 5th and 4th centuries BC, it finally surrendered to the Romans in 272 BC. Taras was famous for its fine art including its famous series of silver coins depicting a naked boy riding a dolphin. This beautifully modeled antefix would have ornamented the roof edge of an important building hinting at the beauty of the city in classical times. This wonderful antefix is an important example of the finest classical Greek art. The nobility and beauty of the features, with their sensuous, intelligent air seem to gaze at us across the centuries, revealing a glimpse of the source of the finest in Western Civilization. The piece depicts a beautiful young woman wearing a fine necklace and earrings and a head band to which are attached cow ears and horns. She may be a participant in a festival dedicated to a local river god who was depicted as a bull with a man's head, or she may be Io, a maiden loved by Zeus, who was transformed by Hera into a heifer. Comes with custom walnut stand. Dimensions: 20.8 x 18.3 x 7.6 cm. (8.2 x 7.2 x 3.0"). Weight: ~1 kg. (~2.5 lb.). Composition: Hard fired light yellow brown terra cotta. References: Catalogue of The British Museum Collection, #1329, 1330 for a nearly identical example also from Taras (photocopy included). Provenance: An old Toronto collection.
7363. GREEK TERRACOTTA HEAD OF A HORSE, c. 3rd-1st century BC. Impressive energetically modeled warrior's stallion with topknot. 3 inches. Both sides similar.
7366. AN INTRIGUING GREEK TERRA COTTA GROUP, c. 3rd-1st century BC. Large head of a goose or stork rising above vegetation in which is concealed a human with only the head visible. Certainly a depiction of some myth, any information appreciated. 3 x 3.25 inches. Chip to lower r. side. A superior piece.
8248. A RARE GREEK TERRA COTTA FIGURE OF A BOY IN BED, c. 4th-3rd century BC. The nude boy lying on his back in a bed, his head on a pillow, covers over his feet. 3.5". A little neat repair. Though it has been suggested this might be a funerary piece, the lifelike position of the arms argues against this. Charming and very rare.
6752. CLASSICAL GREEK TERRA COTTA BULL, c. 4th century BC. Very finely modeled figure in Classical style with lifelike detail. Traces of white paint under light ancient soil deposits. 7.5". Very rare and choice example of Classical Greek art. On custom cherrywood stand.
8992. A FINE GREEK TERRA COTTA CALF'S HEAD, c. 4th century BC. The terra cotta head with wonderfully modeled features including incised eyes and detailed fur, two mortise holes for horns, the whole covered with white slip. 2.5 inches. An applique from what must have been a magnificent large Greek krater.
GREEK HOMOEROTIC LOVE OFFERING 7362. RARE GREEK EROTIC TERRA COTTA LOVE OFFERING, c. 3rd-1st century BC. In the form of a cockerel with large phallus rising from its back. The cockerel is often depicted on Greek vases as a love gift from a man to a boy. 2.25 x 2.5 inches. Intact and nice. Free standing.
9001. SUPERB GREEK TANAGRA FIGURE OF NIKE EOS, c. 4th-3rd century BC. The tall slim figure of an winged young maiden, perhaps Eos (Dawn) standing against a rock outcropping, her robes knotted below her belly, her right arm stretched downward, her right raised, likely once holding a victory wreath in her missing left hand. 9 inches. Repaired with a couple of small gaps. Considerable remains of polychrome. An exceptional and rare figure of the finest style. Not currently for sale.
11168. MASTERFUL TANAGRA GREEK FIGURE OF A LADY. c. 300-250 BC. Terracotta figure of a woman standing, weight on her right leg, wearing chiton and himation, her right hand supporting herself on a pedestal, her left arm concealed within her himation, her right arm akimbo, hair drawn into a knot at the back. Brown clay with traces of white pigment. Professional museum quality repair from several large shards but all original. 8 inches in height. Exceptionally fine style rendering of the face. Collected in the early 1900's in Greece by the grandmother of the current elderly owner. Shown to the Victoria and Albert museum in 1987 which confirmed its authenticity. 'Tanagras' are named after the site in Boeotia, central Greece, where thousands of similar figures were unearthed in the early 1870s. Figures of men, children and comic actors were also found at Tanagra, but standing female figures are the most numerous. The chief appeal of Tanagra figures lies in their exceptional artistic quality usually considered to be the finest of all Greek figurines. The ladies are normally depicted in casual poses and their clothes, which usually consist of a thinner undergarment, the chiton, worn beneath a thicker cloak or himation, are typically pulled and twisted in pleasing patterns which emphasize the form of the figure beneath. Most Tanagra figures are mould made and sometimes have a vent cut in the back to ensure even distribution of heat in the firing. After firing, the figure was coated in a white slip, often a solution of chalk or white clay, and then colors were added on top. The artists who produced these figures were known as coroplasts, literally 'modelers of girls'.
Not currently for sale.
11163. BOEOTIAN GREEK FIGURE OF A NUDE YOUTH. c. 450 BC. Terracotta figure of a youth wearing himation and holding a cock with traces of white slip and red pigment surviving; mould-made. Click for a nearly identical, though less well preserved, figure in the British Museum collection Registration number: 1879,0306.4. 10.5 inches height. Collected in the early 1900's in Greece by the grandmother of the current elderly owner. Authenticated as genuine by the Victoria and Albert museum in 1987. Not currently for sale.
8999. SILENUS CARRYING A NAKED EROTE, Greece, c. 3rd-2nd century BC. The satyr depicted with long beard and hairy chest and legs wearing a loincloth and wreath. His left hand reaches back to support the leg of a naked Erote he carries on his back, the Erote's right arm in turn reaching around and holding onto the satyr's shoulder. 3.25 inches. Wonderful composition and detail, though with losses. Very rare.
9000. WONDERFUL GREEK APHRODITE, c. 4th-3rd century BC. The goddess naked except for her robes which have slipped below the tops of her thighs, wearing only a necklace and armlets and bracelets on both arms, her long braids falling over her shoulders. 2.8 x 3.5 inches. Even with losses a quintessential portrayal of feminine beauty. On custom stand. Very rare this fine. Not currently for sale.
7593. LARGE GREEK TERRA COTTA BUST OF PERSEPHONE, c. mid 5th century BC. A votive bust of the Goddess holding a phiale (offering bowl) in one hand, a dove in the other. The base reassembled from shards. Dimensions: 5.5 x 9 x 10.5". See 'Eros in Antiquity', p.22 for a very similar example.
8995. FINE GREEK FIGURE OF A MOUNTED HORSEMAN, c. 3rd-2nd century BC. The beardless warrior with slightly raised head possibly Alexander the Great. He sits on his rearing horse holding the reins in one hand and a Macedonian type shield in the other, the whole wonderfully composed and executed. 4.1 x 4.75 inches. Considerable remains of white, black and red pigment. Provenance: From the collection of an American diplomat stationed in Italy in the early part of the 20th century. On Italian marble base.
8996. EROTIC GREEK FIGURE OF EROS WITH ORIGINAL PIGMENT, c. 3rḏ2nd century BC. The boy God of Love depicted naked playing a lyre, his body turned to provocatively display his buttocks. 4 inches. Intact. Much original white, blue, pink and black pigment remaining. Extremely rare Greek erotic figure. Considerably better than photo.
8998. A CHOICE TANAGRA GREEK FIGURE OF EROS, c. 3rd-2nd century BC. The young God of Love depicted naked in an animated pose, his right leg forward and hands outstretched, head turned to the left with a mischievous smile. 5 inches. Repair. Remains of red pigment on the hair and white on the wings. Very rare this nice. A wonderful example of the Hellenistic genius for capturing naturalistic poses portraying the human body in action.
9047. A MUSEUM QUALITY ARCHAIC GODDESS, c. 6th century BC. The terra cotta goddess wearing long robes and high polos, two long braids falling over her breasts, she sits on her throne with hands on her knees and bare feet emerging from undr the hem of her robes. 2.4 x 3.25 x 7 inches. A couple of flakes, otherwise in choice intact condition with marvelous detail especially in the face with its wonderful archaic smile.
9048. ARCHAIC CORINTHIAN TERRA COTTA GODDESS WITH DOVE, c. 6th century BC. The archaic goddess, probably Aphrodite holding her dove, seated on a throne holding a dove. 3.25 inches. Intact but for chip to base by foot. A beautiful little piece of excellent style with more detail likely under light ancient soil. Rare.
8994. A SUPERB ARCHAIC GREEK PROTOME, c. 6th century BC. The bust of a goddess done in the finest archaic style with high cheekbones, tightly curled hair under a high polos and with a wonderful archaic smile. 4.5 x 5.6 inches. Repair to base but face intact. A museum quality example of the finest Greek art. Free standing.
6753. AN IMPORTANT ARCHAIC GREEK HORSE AND RIDER, c. 6th-5th century BC. The pottery horse with delicately modeled body and erect mane in fine archaic style, the separately made rider with detailed face and long hair over his neck. Remains of cream slip. 4.5x6.2". One of the horse's legs reattached otherwise amazingly intact. An exceptionally rare piece especially in this excellent condition. From an old American collection. Museum quality.
9614. RARE ARCHAIC GREEK KOUROS, c. 7th-6th century BC. The terra cotta male figure standing nude with left arm across his abdomen, his long hair in curls across his head and falling over his shoulders. 3 x 4 inches. Lower part missing. Very rare and with a wonderful archaic smile. On custom stand.
9616. GREEK TERRA COTTA FIGURE OF HARPOCRATES-ATTIS RIDING A GOOSE. Ptolemaic, c. 2nd-1st century BC. The terra cotta with Harpocrates Attis perched sidesaddle on the back of a large goose and wearing a high Asiatic cap with his finger to his mouth, and holding a cornucopia. 6.7 inches. An excellent and accomplished composition. Intact and rare. On custom stand.
A STYLISH YOUNG TRAVELER 11165. TANAGRA GREEK FIGURE OF A YOUNG MAN WEARING A PETASOS. Greece, Boeotia, c. 350 BC. Ceramic figure of a young man dressed in an ankle length robe and petasos (traveling hat), his left arm at his side, his right arm raised to the collar of his robe holding an uncertain object, locks of curly hair emerging from under the brim of his hat. Height is 8.5 inches. Intact with no repair or restoration. Fired from brown clay with considerable original white pigment remaining.
The ceramic figures produced by artists in Tanagra Boeotia in the mid 4th century BC are generally considered to be the finest ceramic figures produced by the ancient Greeks. They are most often figures of stylishly dressed young ladies but occasionally include figures of young men as well as in this example.
Provenance: Collected in the early 1900's in Greece by the grandmother of the current elderly owner. Shown to the Victoria and Albert museum in 1987 which confirmed its authenticity.
8246. A FINE GREEK TERRA COTTA FIGURE OF A GODDESS OR LADY WITH EROS. Tanagra or Kentoripai, c. 4th-3rd century BC. A woman carrying Eros on her shoulder. This may be Aphrodite or it may refer to another specific Greek mythic story. 6.5". Repaired from shards but very appealing. Considerable white slip remaining with traces of color.
RESTORER'S SPECIAL! 7312. LARGE GREEK TERRA COTTA HEAD OF A FASHIONABLE LADY, c. 3rd-1st century BC. With ornate hairdo and earrings with sakkos bound by a diadem. 4 x 6 inches. Repaired from large shards. Rare this large and with this fine detail. Will be worth considerably more when properly restored.
7315. RARE GREEK TERRA COTTA HEAD OF A NUBIAN, c. 3rd-1st century BC. The face with prognathic jaw and typical African features wearing dreadlocks one of which falls longer to the side of the face, another large one down the back of the head. 2.5 inches. Rare and desirable. Provenance: From the estate of a prominent Egyptologist active in the early part of the 20th century. Brought to the US with the family in 1954.
THE FACE OF KING MAUSOLUS 7215. GREEK INTAGLIO SEAL IMPRESSION WITH THE FACE OF MAUSOLUS, c. 4th century BC. Fired clay stamped with the very high profile facing head of what appears to be the Hellenistic king Mausolus. Such clay intaglios were likely used as seals for papyrus scrolls. Mausolus, the ruler of Halicarnassus, was the builder of the eponymous Mausoleum. 17mm.
Provenance: From the estate of a prominent Egyptologist active in the early part of the 20th century. Brought to the US with the family in 1954.
WAPPENMUNZEN STYLE 7993. ATHENIAN GREEK BRONZE BUCRANIUM, 6th-4th century BC. The bronze bull's head in the famous Wappenmunzen form from Athens with one horn turned up, one turned down. 1.25 x 1.25 inches, 24.05 gm. Perhaps a weight? Rare.
8685. AN ELEGANT GREEK BRONZE HORSE, c. 4th-2nd century BC. The horse in a proud prancing stance with right foreleg raised and head turned alertly to the right. 2 x 2.1 inches. Bottom of right hind leg lost else very nice condition. Rare.
8683. EXPRESSIVE GREEK BRONZE HORSE HEAD FINIAL, c. 3rd-1st century BC. The finely modeled head with ears laid back in an aggressive manner, ending in a socket for attachment, a hole in the nose for a pin. 1.5". Excellent condition with fine patina. Very rare.
8684. A RARE GREEK BRONZE VOTIVE CULT PLAQUE, c. 2nd-1st century BC. The bronze plaque depicting a temple alcove with peaked top within which the busts of Isis and Serapis, Anubis? seated to the right with uraeus headdress, a bird flying above and a serpent crawling below. 1.4 x 1.7 inches. Intact and in excellent condition with choice patina. Extremely rare. Deserving of further study. Significantly better than image shows.
8238. PAIR OF FINE MACEDONIAN BRONZE HANDLES WITH PAN, c. 3rd century BC. Both heavy solid-cast in high relief with the horned head of Pan, his lagobolon below, all atop a column above a bust of Tyche? holding patera and uncertain object. 5.4". From a large krater or situla. Very rare and interesting and worthy of further study.
13023. THRACIAN GREEK CALDRON HANDLE. c. 5th-4th century BC. With a griffin on each side, this handle formed part of a massive vessel. Width: 21.8cm. Green patina. Provenance: From the J. S. Wagner Collection.
The largest and finest vessels of ancient Greece were the huge bronze caldrons. These caldrons were owned by nobles to entertain and impress their guests and served as the centerpieces of their communal banquets. Only a few original high quality bronze caldrons remain and they are among the finest decorated bronze vessels of the period. They were also copied by Celtic and Thracian nobles to the north of Greece proper. Sadly in many cases only the more solidly built handles remain. This example comes from Northern Greece or Thrace as evidenced by the style of the griffin motif.
9652. FINE GREEK BRONZE KRATER HANDLE, c. 3rd-1st century BC. The attachments terminating in finely worked Pan heads with horns and protruding tongues. 4 x 4 inches. Nice red and green patina. Choice example.
9675. A CHOICE BRONZE PATERA HANDLE, c. 3rd-1st century BC. The bronze handle terminating in the finely detailed head of a ram. 6 inches. Rare this nice. See a nearly identical patera handle from the Cristos G. Bastis collection, Sotheby's 12/9/99 lot 163 estimated at $4000-$6000.
8991. FINE GREEK BRONZE BULL, c. 4th-2nd century BC. The bull with hump and large dewlap standing alert with raised horns, its head slightly turned to the right. 2.5 x 2.6 inches. Losses to rear legs and tip of right horn. Choice Hellenistic style. Very rare this nice.
8126. GREEK BRONZE CENTAUR APPLIQUE, c. 3rd-1st century BC. The applicae in the form of a centaur drawing a bow. Excellent animated form. 1.75 x 2 inches. Rare and intact; a very expressive piece.
8233 A SCYTHIAN BRONZE FITTING, c. 5th-4th century BC. In the form of a bird or griffin with reverted head. Loop on back for attachment. 1.8". Ancient losses but still a fine example of the highly sought after animal art style of the Steppes.
ANCIENT GREEK SILVER & BRONZE VESSELS & FIGURES
13034. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE GREEK BRONZE MIRROR WITH ORIGINAL CASE, c. 2nd-1st century BC. The mirror 4.25 inches in diameter depicting a winged Eros pouring water from an amphora into a tripod basin for a nude Aphrodite to bathe. This mirror is exceptional in that it comes with its original bronze mirror case consisting of a nicely fitting container and lid. The case is 5 inches x 0.75 inches. Both mirror and case in original intact condition, the mirrored surface with patina from original silvering. Mirror in case. Interior of case. Top and bottom of case. Case. Mirror reflection surface. Provenance: A NJ estate auction.
9002. VERY RARE GREEK BRONZE PITCHER, c. 2nd-1st century BC. The pitcher of wide ovoid form on everted ring base, with a high conical neck with ridged shoulder opening to a wide rim with turned down edge, the handle with tapered incised handle terminating in a wide crescent ornamented with four curled knobs at the top, a palmette formed appliqué at the shoulder. 7 x 8 inches. Reverse side patched but displays well from the front. Very rare example of fine Greek bronze work.
ANCIENT GREEK JEWELRY
EXCEPTIONAL GNOSTIC MAGICAL AMULET 10114. EXCEPTIONAL GNOSTIC MAGICAL AMULET. Eastern Roman empire, c. 1st century AD. Small polished stone heavily inscribed with an image of Thoth holding his staff standing on one side and detailed magical inscriptions on all four sides in Greek. Drilled lengthwise for suspension. Very rare and desirable and a choice example in excellent condition! A museum quality example. 6 x 6 x 18 mm.
9670. RARE EARLY GREEK GEOMETRIC PERIOD FIBULA, c. 1000 ̱ 800 BC. Curved shape with a rectangle and ornamented plate. 8.5 x 5.2 cm. Wonderful bright green patina. Needle broken and glued. Very rare.
8277. AN EARLY GREEK LASSO FIBULA, c. 6th century BC. With the end recurved wrapped around the body. 3". Rare. Intact and complete.
8747. AN EARLY GREEK BRONZE FIBULA, c. 6th-4th century BC. Rare bow with twist style. 3.9". Said to have been found near Syracuse.
8748. A CHOICE GREEK FIBULA, c. 4th-2nd century BC. The small bronze bow fibula with knobbed end, the entire body covered in a beautiful gem-like turquoise patina. 1.5".
8749. A FINE HELLENISTIC KNOBBED BOW FIBULA, c. 3rd-1st century BC. The heavy solid cast bow with three large knobs, the body continuing through a single looped spring into the pin. 1.5 x 1.9 inches. Excellent patina and condition.
8990. BEAUTIFUL SATINY GREEN GREEK BRONZE FIBULA. Hellenistic, c. 2nd century BC. The bow-type fibula with tail extending past the catch plate where it is turned back and wrapped around the body, the head wrapped round itself to form a spring terminating in the pin which rests in the catch plate, the whole with a superb beautiful sea-green patina. 2.85". Choice example.
THE MYTH OF ZEUS AND GANYMEDE 8687. GREEK BRONZE INTAGLIO RING BEZEL WITH GANYMEDE BEING ABDUCTED BY ZEUS IN THE FORM OF AN EAGLE, c. 4th-1st century BC. The large ring bezel carved with the youth Ganymede carrying a tripod and riding the back of an eagle, who is Zeus in disguise abducting him. 15 x 22 mm. Very rare.
9664. RARE EARLY GREEK 12 COIL BRACELET, c. 8th-6th century BC. Of hammered bronze with stylized snake head terminals, one detached but included. 4.5" diameter. Very rare.
8688. HALF OF A HEAVY GREEK BRONZE BRACELET, c. 1st-3rd century BC. The large heavy section terminating in a serpent head. 3.9". Excellent detail and patina. Very rare.
12113. LARGE HELLENISTIC GREEK SILVER INLAY FIBULA. Bronze fibula with silver inlay. Greek, Hellenistic Period, 3rd-1st century BC. Large fibula with flat body set with two rows of chevrons in silver, set over an elongated pin catch. Neck is formed with a wrapped bronze wire and a larger flat bow, inset with silver triangles. Bronze polygonal finial. Maximum length: 96mm. Dark green patina. Pin missing. Scratches and encrustation. A very rare type.
8105. A GREEK GOLD EARRING, c. 3rd -1st century BC. The crescent shaped earring of high carat sheet gold formed around an inner core, decorated with three triple filigreed bands around the body. 15x20 mm. Excellent condition. The wire is slightly bent but can easily be straightened for wearing. Wearable with care.
6749. FINE THRACIAN SILVER TORQUE, c. 5th-2nd century BC. The torque of silver wire with knobbed hook one end that fastens to a wrapped loop on the other. 5.4". 26 gm. Rare and in excellent wearable condition and would make a superb and sophisticated necklace for a smaller neck.
6750. THRACIAN TWISTED SILVER TORQUE, c. 5th-2nd century BC. The torque of twisted silver wire. 6 x 6". Can be straightened. Rare.
ANCIENT GREEK OIL LAMPS & FILLERS
9036. MUSEUM QUALITY HELLENISTIC BRONZE OIL LAMP, c. 2nd-1st century BC. The large shallow lamp with volute spout and high curving handle terminating in a grotesque head, the head of a bearded male with the comb, wattles and beak-like nose of a rooster. 4 x 5.75 inches. A wonderful example of grotesque humor in late Hellenistic art. Extremely rare.
CORINTHIAN POTTERY
7598. A FINE CORINTHIAN FIGURAL ARYBALLOS (perfume flask), c. 6th century BC. Two panthers in red and violet joined with a common head. Additional incised detail. Repaired at back. 2.8". Rare.
7248. A FINE CORINTHIAN ALABASTRON, c. 650-550 BC. The small perfume vessel with flaring lip and small loop handle, the body ornamented with a register of three finely painted lions and a goose, 8 pointed star pattern radiating from the base. 2.5 inches.
7249. A FINE CORINTHIAN ALABASTRON, c. 650-550 BC. The small perfume vessel with flaring lip and small strap handle, the body ornamented with a register of two finely painted lions, a siren and a goose spreading its wings, 13 pointed star pattern radiating from the base. 2.25 inches.
8252. A FINE ITALO-CORINTHIAN RING ARYBALLOS, c. 6th century BC. The small donut shaped perfume vessel decorated with a boar and a feline in red and black, added details incised. 2.3 x 2.7". Intact. Very rare.
8253. A RARE ITALO-CORINTHIAN BALSIMARIUM, c. 6th century BC. The small perfume or urguent vessel in the form of a swan. Considerable cream slip, details of the face, tail, feet and feathers in black. 1.5 x 2.1". Extremely rare - a beautiful little vessel. Intact with light deposits.
9004. ELEGANT ITALO-CORINTHIAN TREFOIL OINOCHOE, c. 6th century BC. The small perfume vessel of domed form with miniature pinched pouring spout and small strap handle, the body decorated with rows of vertical bands, a rosette around the spout, all rendered in black and red on cream reserved areas. 2.3 x 2.75 inches. Choice intact condition. An excessively rare and beautiful type. Museum quality, a little treasure!
9005. A FINE AND EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE ITALO-CORINTHIAN ALABASTRON, c. 6th century BC. The piriform perfume vessel with narrow mouth with wide flat rim for spreading scent and small strap handle, the body decorated with fish scale pattern and other ornamentation in red and black with added white dots. 5 x 9 inches. Professional repair with light soil encrustations. A choice and extremely rare example. On acrylic ring stand.
9006. FINE ITALO-CORINTHIAN ARYBALLOS WITH CONFRONTING LIONS, c. 6th century BC. The perfume vessel of spherical form with wide flat rim and small strap handle, the body decorated with lions confronting, a palmette between, flowers in the fields all rendered in black and red with incised details. 3.8 x 4.25 inches. Tiny side hole otherwise intact. Extremely rare this nice.
THE SIRENS 9007. A CHOICE CORINTHIAN ALABASTRON, c. 6th century BC. The terra cotta perfume vessel incised and painted in red and black with the large figure of a Siren, its wings wrapping clear around the vessel. 3.8". Repair with light salt deposits but all original with excellent paint. Very rare this nice.
GNATHIAN POTTERY
9013. CHOICE GREEK GNATHIAN OINOCHOE. South Italy, c. 4th century BC. The black glazed jug of superbly elegant form with wide body and delicate trefoil rim, incised vines with leaves in white on the front. Excellent intact condition and of the most wonderful elegant form. 5 x 7 inches.
9014. EXCEPTIONAL GREEK GNATHIAN SKYPHOS. South Italy, c. 4th century BC. The two handled wine cup of elegant form on pedestal base with the double handles tied in a Herakles knot, the bottom section with fine ridges, the whole with a fine high lead content silvery black glaze, delicate vines around the shoulder in yellow, a white band around the top of the ridges, faint traces of root marks on the glaze. 3.75 x 5 inches. The finest example I've carried. Choice intact condition. Very rare this nice.
9015. AN EXCEPTIONAL GREEK GNATHIAN SKYPHOS. South Italy, c. 4th century BC. The two handled wine cup of elegant form on pedestal base with the double handles tied in a Herakles knot, the bottom section with fine ridges, the whole with a fine high lead content silvery black glaze, delicate vines around the shoulder and wave pattern around the rim in yellow, a white band around the top of the ridges, faint traces of root marks on the glaze. 3.6 x 4.8 inches. The finest example I've carried. Choice intact condition. Very rare this nice.
6773. A LARGE GNATHIAN SKYPHOS, c. 4th c. BC. The two handled cup painted with vines in white and yellow. 10.7" across handles. Repaired from large shards. Considerably better than image shows.
ANCIENT GREEK BLACK GLAZED POTTERY
9040. LARGE CALENE WARE GUTTOS OIL LAMP FILLER, c. 3rd century BC. The black glazed terra cotta lamp filler with an exceptionally high relief molded facing bust of Athena or a Gorgon wearing a Corinthian helmet, large serpents twining from her hair, numerous fine vertical incised lines ornamenting the shoulder, the whole covered with a high lead content silvery glaze with areas of subdued peacock iridesensce. 5.75 x 6.5 inches. Choice intact condition. A superb high relief example of fine style. Museum quality.
9041. A FINE CALENE WARE GUTTOS OIL LAMP FILLER, c. 3rd century BC. The black glazed terra cotta lamp filler with a very fine molded facing head of a maned lion on the discus in high relief. 3.75 x 4.75 inches. Choice intact condition. A wonderful Greek lion head of the finest style.
9042. A FINE CALENE WARE GUTTOS OIL LAMP FILLER, c. 3rd century BC. The black glazed terra cotta lamp filler with a molded relief scene of a griffin attacking a doe on the discus, vertical incised ornamentation on the shoulder. 4.75 x 5.75 inches. The handle reattached. A wonderful Classic Greek scene of the finest style and excellent detailing including the feathers in the griffin's wings.
9043. CALENE WARE GUTTOS OIL LAMP FILLER, c. 3rd century BC. The black glazed terra cotta lamp filler with a very fine molded facing head of a bearded satyr or perhaps a philosopher on the discus. 3.25 x 4.5 inches. Professional repair. A wonderful Classic Greek head of the finest style.
9044. CALENE WARE GUTTOS OIL LAMP FILLER, c. 3rd century BC. The terracotta lamp filler with a very unusual molded scene with a winged serpent legged being with a head between its legs, and apparently holding two smaller winged beings, one by either hand. 2.5 x 4 inches. Intact with minor scrapes. A very rare scene illustrating an uncertain myth and certainly deserving of further study.
9658. BEAUTIFUL BLACK-GAZED MEDUSA HEAD KALENE WARE GUTTOS OIL LAMP FILLER. Athens, Greece or South Italy, c. 4th Century BC. Elegant and complex black-glazed oil vessel with ring handle, tall protruding spout, thick disc foot and nice ribbed body and raised relief Medusa head on tondo. Size: 5"H x 6". Condition: Cracks on ribbed sides professionally repaired with small patch under shoulder. Large and finely styled example.
9680. GREEK CALENE WARE BLACK GLAZED GUTTOS OIL LAMP FILLER WITH ZEUS. c. 3rd century BC. With the molded facing head of Zeus on the discus. 5 x 3.25 inches.
7599. LARGE GREEK BLACK GLAZED SITULA, c. 350 BC. The large bucket-shaped vessel in black glazed terra cotta with 2 bail locks with 4 small molded female faces. Repaired from large shards. A very rare pottery type, the best one I've carried. 7.5 x 9.3".
9021. RARE TYPE CAMPANIAN OLPE, c. 300 BC. The elegant black glazed mug with dual strap handle attached to the wide rim, the entire body with four bands of elegant protrusions pressed from the interior while the clay was still plastic, the form in imitation of glass vessels of similar design. 3.25 x 3.5 inches. Choice intact condition. Completely uncleaned, the surface still covered with original lime deposits from the ground, traces of fine root marks and roots in the lime especially under the base. A wonderful and extremely rare example.
9022. WONDERFUL GLAZE CAMPANIAN OLPE, c. 300 BC. The elegant black glazed mug with single strap handle attached to the wide rim. 3.3 x 3.5 inches. Choice intact condition. A beautiful piece with one of the finest flawless mirror glazes one could imagine.
8264. A RARE GREEK PEDESTAL PLATE, c. 4th century BC. The plate on an integral pedestal stand, the black glaze decorated with concentric designs in reserved red. 2.2x8.2". Intact and choice. Extremely rare.
9619. A RARE GREEK BLACK GLAZED SITULA, c. 4th century BC. The large bowl or bucket modeled after a bronze prototype with molded faux handles on the sides. 6 x 9 inches. Large shard and pedestal base reattached. Hard fired with a nice ring to it. Very rare and fine piece.
9620. A FINE GREEK BLACK GLAZED OLPE, c. 4th century BC. The single handled cup of elegant form with fluted body and wide rim and double strap handle, the body with a fine black glaze. 3.4 inches. Nice example.
8011. RARE ATTIC KYLIX, c. 5th-4th century BC. The wide two handled wine drinking vessel used in symposia and often seen in Greek vase paintings in depiction of the kottabos, an ancient Greek game in which wine was flipped at targets from these vessels. 3 x 9 inches. Repaired from all original shards.
6767. LARGE GREEK BLACK-GLAZED SKYPHOS, c. 4th century BC. 5 x 9.5 inches. Area of base ring and rim flake restored. Rare this large.
7983. GREEK BLACK GLAZED SKYPHOS. S. Italy, Campanian, c. 3rd century BC. Two handled cup with glossy black glaze. Intact with couple of very minor flakes. 5.25 inches across handles x 3.25 inches height.
8268. ELEGANT CAMPANIAN BLACK-GLAZED GUTTOS, c. 4th-3rd century BC. The globular vessel with narrow spout rimmed spout with ridges and single loop handle. 4.2". A little repair. A scarce type of beautiful elegant form.
8272. A CAMPANIAN BLACK GLAZED OLPE, c. 4th-3rd century BC. The high-necked vessel of unusual form. 4.7". Intact with light deposits. Rare.
9690. CHOICE AND RARE GREEK BLACK GLAZED RIBBED PERFUME BOTTLE, c. 4th century BC. The small finely made vessel with elegant vertically ribbed body, twin upright loop handles and a tall neck with wide rim. 1.5 x 2.5 inches. Intact and in choice condition. A very rare type.
ANCIENT GREEK AMPHORAE & POTTERY
7447. MEGARIAN GREEK MOLDED BOTTLE. c. 3rd-2nd century BC. The small bottle with raised egg and dart band above a band of eight molded waterfowl. 2 x 2 inches. Rare & nice. Spout and handle lost.
7448. PARTIAL GREEK MOLDED PYXIS. c. 3rd-2nd century BC. The exterior with two remaining panels, one with winged goddess Nike, the other with two Putti animatedly engaged in domestic activities, the base with 2 remaining knob feet. 1.75 x 2 inches. Rare.
7449. SMALL GREEK MOLDED AMPHORA. c. 3rd-2nd century BC. The exterior with two dolphins among waving sea tendrils both sides, on one side intertwined, on the other swimming in tandem, large acanthus leaves at top, large overlapped leaf like forms radiating from the bottom. 3.25 inches. Rim and handle lost. Even with chips a rare and beautifully designed little gem!
7446. RARE GREEK TERRA COTTA INK WELL. Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, 3rd-1st century BC. The black ware vessel with narrow mouth to retard evaporation of the ink and depressed top to catch drips when the pen was drawn against the lip. 2.25 x 2.25 inches. Extremely rare. Choice condition reminiscent of the great lost library of Alexandria.
9053. ELEGANT LARGE GREEK HYDRIA, c. 6th-4th century BC. The large three-handled water vessel with black glaze with red bands, an owners mark incised below the third handle, a wave pattern around the neck, darker vertical lines on the shoulder. 10.5 x 11.5 inches. Intact, very rare type. Of exceptionally elegant form!
8125. EXTREMELY RARE AND CHOICE HELLENISTIC QUADRUPLE PYXIS, c. 3rd-1st century BC. The vessel consisting of four pyxii around a double strap handle with knot at apex. 3.5 x 4 inches. Excessively rare and marvelously intact save for one insignificant rim flake. The only one of the type we've carried. Museum quality Greek pottery. Four lids included though not shown.
8254. VERY RARE EARLY MAGNA GRAECIAN BOWL, c. 7th-5th century BC. Fine super thin fabric with brownish glaze with white and red concentric bands. 6.1". Professional repair but a very rare and fine type.
7986. HELLENISTIC PIRIFORM ARYBALLOS. Hellenistic, c. 2nd century BC. Piriform body with tall thin base and neck. 27 cm. A choice example.
7996. HELLENISTIC PIRIFORM ARYBALLOS, c. 3rd-2nd century BC. 7 inches. Free standing. Minor flakes to rim.
