Large Etruscan Terracotta Votive, ca. Late 3rd-Early 2nd Century B.C. The elongated, stylized figure of a male youth with molded head, the lidded eyes with articulated  More »

Large Etruscan Terracotta Votive, ca. Late 3rd-Early 2nd Century B.C. The elongated, stylized figure of a male youth with molded head, the lidded eyes with articulated pupils, the mouth severe, with a mantle pulled up over the back of the head and falling in a single U-shaped fold, a hand in relief on the lower abdomen above the base of the U, the lower body reduced to a cylindrical shaft with drapery folds in low relief, preserving some red pigment throughout. Figures such as this were left at Etruscan shrines in the hopes that the gods would provide a cure for an ailing child. The child is represented as wrapped in swaddling cloth and being held by a caring parent. Rare to find such an intact and large a votive - measuring a very large 29 1/4" (74.3 cm) high. Custom mounted. Provenanceex-Galerie Nina Borowski, Paris; ex-Christie's, NYC. Material Terracotta Dimensions 29 1/4" (74.3 cm)H Condition Intact   « Less

Greece, ca. 2nd century BC. Of fine red clay, mold-made and brown-glazed, the base centered by a rosette, a frieze above depicting garland among which are interspersed  More »

Greece, ca. 2nd century BC. Of fine red clay, mold-made and brown-glazed, the base centered by a rosette, a frieze above depicting garland among which are interspersed dancing goats (certainly a reference to Pan/Satyrs) and large amphorae, above which a continuous band of grape vines compliments the scene. Most of the external surface is covered with relief decoration, including radiating palms and wine cups (kantharoi). Megarian ware was the Greek forerunner to the Roman 'Samian' ware, which was also known as Terra sigillata. During the Hellenistic period (3rd to 1st cent. BC), vessels of chased metals were greatly sought after and potters of the time tried to imitate the form and decoration. The usual decoration would be naturalistic motifs, such as palmettes and rosettes, but sometimes wine cups, animals, cherubs and human figures were also depicted. The usual form of Megarian ware is the small hemispherical bowl with a red, brown or black slip but such bowls are becoming increasingly scarce on the antiquities market. 3-3/8"D x 2-3/8"H, intact/generally excellent, save minor spauling of brown slip around some of the relief decoration. ProvenancePurchased in 2005 from the Archaeological Centre in Old Jaffa, prior to that formerly part of the well-known Denny Pinkus Estate. Material clay Dimensions 3-3/8"D x 2-3/8"H Condition Intact   « Less

From ancient Greece, dating to the second half of the fourth century B.C., ca. 350-300 B.C. Solid bronze vessel typically used as a perfume container, as it held a valuable  More »

From ancient Greece, dating to the second half of the fourth century B.C., ca. 350-300 B.C. Solid bronze vessel typically used as a perfume container, as it held a valuable oil and/or unguent. This example has an exceptional dark emerald-green patina with dark blue and light brown deposits. The detailing is equally impressive, with minute fine lines encircling the body (it took an artist with great skill to engrave these). The very wide, funnel-shaped mouth enabled one to control the flow of the liquid and this also served as a platter for application. This piece was used by a wealthy woman, as this type of vessel is rare in bronze, and this vessel was an essential component of her toiletry. An analogous example was sold in Christie's Antiquities, New York, June 2001, no. 165 ( $5,000.00-$7,000.00 estimates, $5,875.00 realized.) Another example of this type ( 4-1/2"H.) was found in Grave Beta, Dervini, Greece, and is now seen in the Museum of Thessalonike. For this piece, see "The Search for Alexander" by N. Yalouris, Little, Brown and Company Pub., 1980, no. 133, page 169. This type of vessel was also produced in silver and is extremely rare, and usually does not have the fine line design as the piece offered here shows. 3-1/2"H x 3-1/2"D at top, intact/excellent condition. ProvenanceEx-private NYC, NY Collection. ca. 350-300 B.C. Material Bronze Dimensions 3-1/2"H x 3-1/2"D Condition Intact   « Less

Rare example! From ancient Canosa, eastern Italy, ca 350 to 325 BC. Terracotta pouring vessel / wine jug decorated in a deep yellow/golden slip, with fabulous braided handle.  More »

Rare example! From ancient Canosa, eastern Italy, ca 350 to 325 BC. Terracotta pouring vessel / wine jug decorated in a deep yellow/golden slip, with fabulous braided handle. This example was clearly made for funerary uses, as base was deliberately left with large hole. 9"H, intact and choice! ProvenanceEx-A. Gualario Collection, FL acquired in the 1960s. Material Pottery Dimensions 9"H Condition Intact   « Less

Greek colony of Apulia, Canosan - Ca late 4th to early 3rd century BC. Funerary pottery patera wonderfully painted in traditional shades of white and pink in the form of  More »

Greek colony of Apulia, Canosan - Ca late 4th to early 3rd century BC. Funerary pottery patera wonderfully painted in traditional shades of white and pink in the form of Heracles as the handle holding up the bowl. 12-1/2"L x 7-1/2"W at widest, intact and choice with wonderful original pigment. Custom stand. ProvenanceEx-private FL collection. Material Pottery Dimensions 12-1/2"L x 7-1/2"W Condition Intact   « Less

Greek colony of Apulia, Canosan - Ca late 4th to early 3rd century BC. Funerary pottery spool-shaped pyxis wonderfully painted in traditional shades of white and pink with  More »

Greek colony of Apulia, Canosan - Ca late 4th to early 3rd century BC. Funerary pottery spool-shaped pyxis wonderfully painted in traditional shades of white and pink with large central medallion of Medusa in high relief, and lovely painted Greek "Key" surrounding exterior. Was made with no base as the intent was always to place this in the tomb. 4"D x 3" deep, intact and choice with wonderful original pigment. Custom stand. ProvenanceEx-private FL collection. Material Pottery Dimensions 4"D x 3" deep Condition Intact   « Less

From ancient Greek, Canosa, ca. 3rd century BC. Hollow two part molded terracotta effigy, which was originally constructed as a rattle. Silenus sits atop the boar and holds a  More »

From ancient Greek, Canosa, ca. 3rd century BC. Hollow two part molded terracotta effigy, which was originally constructed as a rattle. Silenus sits atop the boar and holds a wreath. Much original white, blue and pink pigment remains. SEILENOS (or Silenus) was the old rustic god of the dance of the wine-press, his name being derived from the words seiô, "to move to and fro," and lênos, "the wine-trough." He was also the god of drunkenness who rode in the train of Dionysos seated on the back of a donkey. The old satyr was the foster-father of the god Dionysos. 4-3/4"H (12cm), mostly intact with repairs and losses, as shown. Not perfect, but a very rare example. ProvenanceEx-private Gualario Collection, FL acquired in the 1960s. Material Pottery Dimensions 4-3/4"H Condition Mostly Intact   « Less

Magna Graecia, Ca 4th century BC, from eastern Italy. Attractively decorated pottery olpe, bulbous-bodied, flat, wide rimmed mouth and high, wide strap handle. Pinkish ground  More »

Magna Graecia, Ca 4th century BC, from eastern Italy. Attractively decorated pottery olpe, bulbous-bodied, flat, wide rimmed mouth and high, wide strap handle. Pinkish ground with a painted red-brown band and black rim. Though produced in Magna-Graecia, the vase is painted in native italic style. 6-1/4"H x 6"W, intact/generally excellent condition, save probe hole, minor chipping and surface encrustation, as shown. ProvenanceEx-private Tampa, FL Collection collected in the 1960s.   « Less

Ca. 2nd century BC. Solid bronze sacrificial ladle, or simpulum, with a long slender handle terminating in a duck bill. Custom stand. 9"L, intact/generally excellent  More »

Ca. 2nd century BC. Solid bronze sacrificial ladle, or simpulum, with a long slender handle terminating in a duck bill. Custom stand. 9"L, intact/generally excellent condition, save surface encrustation, as shown. ProvenanceEx-prominent Denver, CO collection acquired in the 1960s. Material Bronze Dimensions 9"L Condition Intact   « Less

Ca 3rd century BC. Lovely and wonderfully executed pottery head of a goddess, possibly Minerva or Aphrodite. Once inserted into a separately cast body, now missing. She wears  More »

Ca 3rd century BC. Lovely and wonderfully executed pottery head of a goddess, possibly Minerva or Aphrodite. Once inserted into a separately cast body, now missing. She wears her hair in a classic chignon. Custom mount. Head itself measures 2-1/2"H, fragmentary with normal wear. ProvenanceEx-Skinner Auctioneers, Boston, MA Material Terracotta Dimensions 2-1/2"H Condition Fragmentary   « Less