Artemis Gallery’s Nov. 17 ancient & Asian antiquities auction puts focus on world’s greatest cultures

 

BOULDER, Colo. – Artemis Gallery co-founders Bob and Teresa Dodge, both internationally acknowledged experts on cultural art and antiquities, will host an exciting Nov. 17 auction brimming with fresh-to-market ancient treasures. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.com.

The 465-lot selection has all of the characteristics of a carefully curated Artemis sale: pieces of superior quality and provenance; catalog descriptions that reflect a deep level of connoisseurship, and an unconditional guarantee that each and every item is authentic, as described, and legal to acquire according to federal guidelines. A certificate of authenticity will accompany each purchase.

As is the custom with all Artemis Gallery sales, the Nov. 17 inventory is arranged in time order, from the earliest civilization through New World colonies. The cultural adventure begins in mysterious Ancient Egypt, with top items including Lot 6, a grouping of three linen and gesso child’s sarcophagus panels. Dating to around 712-332 BCE – the Late Dynastic period – the cartonnages attractively painted with profiles of gods were likely laid over the decedent’s chest. With provenance from a Swiss collection, the well-preserved trio is estimated at $8,000-$12,000.

 

 

Another premier Egyptian highlight is Lot 7, a rare, 12¾-inch painted wood statue of Ptah Sokar Osiris. Created sometime between 712-30 BCE, it is estimated at $7,000-$9,000.

 

 

A wealth of top-tier Greek art has been secured for the auction. An extraordinarily beautiful 5th-century BCE Classical Greek bronze Siren, once an attachment to a world-class bronze vessel, has been entered as Lot 11. The figure of a mythological woman/bird is wonderfully modeled, with painstaking detail evident on the figure’s anatomy, especially the pair of arched wings. With provenance from the J.M.E. collection (Royal Athena), NYC, this most exceptional piece is expected to make $10,000-$15,000.

 

 

Lot 17D, a Greek Apulian (Magna Graecia/South Italic) red-figure hydria with a central naiskos and rare white-dot detailing to the floral embellishments is one of the auction’s most highly valued items. This vessel boasts grand scale at 18.125 inches tall and showcases superlative artistry and imagination in its depiction of a classical temple and two figures honoring a deceased individual. The auction estimate on this visually compelling ancient ceramic is $18,000-$25,000.

 

 

There is a pleasing variety to the Roman art entered in the sale, from Lot 21A, a stunning millefiori mosaic glass bowl, $3,000-$4,500; to Lot 27, a life-size marble head of Aphrodite/Venus, $35,000-$45,000; and Lot 24B, a large and impressive panel from a circa-2nd to 3rd century CE lead sarcophagus (shown at top of page), $5,000-$7,000. Adorned with an extensive cast relief iconographic and decorative program, this panel was likely from the sarcophagus of an elite Roman citizen. It was found many years ago in Israel and comes with provenance from a private Orange County, Calif., collection.

Viking relics and jewelry have developed into a popular category for Artemis Gallery. For their upcoming sale, Bob and Teresa have chosen to include Lot 31A, a double-edge Oakeshott type X iron sword from the mid-9th to mid-12th century CE. The daunting northern European weapon has been metal-tested and authenticated by Welsh expert Dr. Gerry McDonald. Estimate: $20,000-$25,000.

 

 

The Near Eastern category is led by a Bactrian composite stone seated idol from central Asia, circa late 3rd to early 2nd millennium BCE. Finely carved with a V-neck robe incised with vertical rows of repeating chevrons, the figure is described by Bob Dodge as being “as good an example as you will ever see.” Estimate: $3,000-$5,000.

 

 

Archaeologists exploring forest sanctuaries in western Siberia have found evidence of bronze and silver smelting, as well as artifacts crafted of those two metals that date to the Western medieval period. To find a metal relic of that period and locale is rare, indeed. Artemis will offer just such a discovery as Lot 52: a 10th- to 13th-century Russian Finno-Ugric silver roundel with a hammered design of concentric rings around an incised central design of a horse and human-like figure. Such objects are rarely available outside of Russia. The silver roundel is estimated at $7,000-$9,000.

 

 

Other highlights not to be missed include: Lot 56, a masterfully carved 19th-century Thai gilt/mirrored wood garuda standing 2ft tall, $7,000-$9,000; and Lot 60A, a Chinese Liangzhu culture (3400-2250 BCE) carved jade bi-disc, $10,000-$15,000.

 

 

Lot 119, an important Pre-Columbian “wearable art” necklace encircled with 25 graduated 10-14K gold frogs, $9,000-$12,000; and Lot 156, a human-figure textile and shell mouth mask of a type worn by Abelam chiefs of Papua New Guinea, $4,000-$6,000.

 

 

Bidders may participate in Artemis Gallery’s Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016 auction by bidding absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers. The sale begins at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. For additional information on any item, call Teresa Dodge at 720-890-7700 or email teresa@artemisgallery.com.