Ancient Resource Auctions to sell fine antiquities May 30

fine antiquities

Well-preserved skull of an aurochs, an extinct species of wild cattle dating back 10,000-25,000 years to the Late Pleistocene era, on a custom-built wooden base. Estimate: $18,000-$25,000. Ancient Resource image

MONTROSE, Calif. – An exceptionally well-preserved skull of an aurochs, an extinct species of wild cattle dating back 10,000-25,000 years, an Etruscan terra-cotta female votive head from the fourth century B.C., and an Apulian red-figure hydria from around the same period are a few the leading lots in Ancient Resource Auctions’ online-only Auction #84. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

The May Exceptional Antiquities Sale will go live on Saturday, May 30, at 9 a.m. Pacific time/noon Easter, and will continue throughout the day. Up for bid are close to 400 lots of authentic Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, Holy Land, Byzantine, Asian and Pre-Columbian antiquities, plus ethnographic art and a fine selection of rare fossils.

“Because of social distancing restrictions in Los Angeles and the Covid-19 health crisis, in-person meetings to preview the items are difficult,” said Gabriel Vandervort, the president and owner of Ancient Resource Auctions. “However, we are happy to send plenty of additional photos and conduct detailed condition reports for interested bidders, as well as answer any additional questions.”

With regard to the auction and the many rare and authentic items in it, Vandervort said, “We are featuring an incredible selection of antiquities from a wide variety of cultures, as well as a fine selection of fossils. Buyers are bound to get some really wonderful pieces at great prices.”

The auction’s expected top lot is the aurochs skull, from the Late Pleistocene era, circa 10,000-25,000 years ago. The skull, on a custom-built wooden base, is in remarkable condition, considering the remaining fragile anatomy that survived both the last Ice Age. The piece has a presale estimate of $18,000-$25,000.

The 10-inch-tall Etruscan terra-cotta female votive head from the fourth century B.C., with beautifully modeled features in high relief, is expected to realize $5,000-$7,000. Last purchased at auction through Sotheby’s in the ’80s or ’90s, the head is adorned with rings, pellets and disc earrings. Her hair is parted at the center and is styled in waves with bunches of curls above each cheek.

fine antiquities

Gorgeous 10-inch-tall Etruscan terra-cotta female votive head from the fourth century B.C., with beautifully modeled features in high relief, last purchased through Sotheby’s. Estimate: $5,000-$7,000 Ancient Resource image

The Apulian red-figure hydria, an ancient Greek water vessel, circa fourth century B.C., shows a robed male figure standing with a torch and staff before a woman seated on a chair. She is dressed in a chiton and himation and holds a mirror in her right hand and rests her left arm at her side. Both figures are beautifully rendered in fine style. The lot should hit $4,000-$7,000.

fine antiquities

Apulian red-figure hydria, fourth century B.C., showing a robed male figure standing with a torch and staff before a seated woman. Estimate: $4,000-$7,000 Ancient Resource image

An Egyptian panel from the lid of a sarcophagus (Late Period, circa 664-332 B.C.) made from wood panels with the ‘mummy mask’ still attached with dowels, 33½ inches by 14½ inches, on a custom wooded stand, should sell for $10,000-$12,000.

fine antiquities

Egyptian panel from the lid of a sarcophagus (Late Period, circa 664-332 B.C.), 33½ inches by 14½ inches. Estimate: $10,000-$12,000 Ancient Resource image

Also offered will be a large Coptic limestone funerary stela, fourth or fifth century, depicting a youth kneeling upon a soft chair or pillow within a domed niche supported by Corinthian columns, 22 inches in height (est. $6,500-$9,000).

fine antiquities

Large Coptic limestone funerary stela, fourth or fifth century, depicting a youth kneeling upon a soft chair or pillow within a domed niche supported by Corinthian columns. Estimate: $6,500-$9,000 Ancient Resource image

An intact and superb Apulian red-figure bell krater from the fourth century B.C., featuring a striding nude satyr wearing a beaded harness on one side and a heavily robed female with diadem on the other, 6½ inches tall, is estimated at $5,000-$7,000; while a nice Roman marble head depicting a Nubian, executed around the first century B.C., boasting handsome well-cut features, his hair in short curls framing his face, 11½ inches on a custom base, carries an estimate of $6,000-$8,000.

A fantastic Colima red-ware howling dog vessel, West Mexico, 100 B.C.-A.D. 200, his back furrowed and tense with alert ears and the body well-modeled with a finely detailed head having incised mouth and teeth, 11¼ inches tall, should achieve $1,500-$2,500. Also, a nicely patinated Roman bronze figure of Zeus-Sabazios, circa second-third century A.D., depicting an older man wearing a cuirass, pteruges, shoes and cap, 4½ inches tall, should hit $1,500-$2,000.

For details contact Ancient Resource Auctions at 818-425-9633 or ancientresourceauctions@yahoo.com.

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/