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London’s Apollo Galleries to host top-tier Nov. 21 Ancient Art & Antiquities Auction

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
antiquities
Ancient Egyptian sculpted gilt wood and bronze ibis, circa 664-32 BC, Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, of a type often formed as coffins for mummified ibises. Size: 190mm x 250mm. Provenance: private London collection; ex Attal collection, Austin, Texas; via family descent from great uncle, initially acquired in first half of 20th century. Estimate £10,000-£20,000

LONDON – After 10 years as a recognized leader in the field of ancient art and antiquities, London’s Pax Romana has rebranded as Apollo Galleries. Adopting the name of the Greek god of the sun – and everything under the sun, including art, knowledge, music, poetry and truth – Apollo Galleries hopes to be every bit as multifaceted in its worldly domain as Apollo was in his divine realm. Secured by a deep investment in its future, the company has expanded its elegant two-floor gallery directly opposite The British Museum, increased its roster of managers and expert consultants; installed new scientific equipment for in-house object analysis, and launched new divisions, including Ancient Interiors and Wearable Ancient Jewellery. The firm will be hosting regular events and lectures, and producing informative videos while also hosting a year-round slate of exceptional specialty auctions.

Featured highlights include medieval, Greek & Viking helmets; Chinese Shang Dynasty vessel, rare Egyptian ibis sculpture, Ancient Roman ‘Bacchus’ fittings, wearable ancient jewellery

On Sunday, November 21, Apollo Galleries will present a 331-lot Ancient Art & Antiquities Auction, with absentee and Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers, that takes collectors on a virtual journey through the most important cultures of the past. The fully curated boutique selection features museum-quality art and relics from the intriguing civilizations of the Indus Valley through the Viking Age and Crusader Era.

antiquities
Chinese Shang Dynasty bronze tripod vessel (ding), circa 1300-1200 BC. Comparable example appears in the book Shang Ritual Bronzes in the National Palace Museum Collection, Taipei, 1998. Piece has undergone XRF analysis by independent Belgian laboratory. Estimate £20,000–£40,000

Since the Egyptian Battle of Mediggo in 1479 BC – the first armed conflict recorded by eyewitnesses – history has been plagued by one war after another. Scholars are especially interested in the armaments used in battles throughout the centuries, as they create a tangible timeline of technological progress. In the November sale, collectors will find an outstanding array of swords, spear-, mace- and axeheads; and even curious Byzantine pottery Greek fire grenades.

antiquities
Ancient Greek Chalcidian bronze helmet with ‘Horns of Zeus Ammon,’ circa 500-300 BC, possibly used by soldier who fought under Alexander the Great. Mounted on custom stand, 270mm x 190mm. Provenance: private UK collection, acquired on German art market pre-2000. Estimate £10,000-£20,000

Helmets are always in great demand. Among the sale’s most interesting – and beautiful – examples is an Ancient Greek Chalcidian bronze helmet (shown above) de-embossed with the “Horns of Zeus Ammon.” Dating to circa 500-300 BC, its style suggests it may have been worn by a soldier who fought under Alexander the Great. Auction estimate: £10,000-£20,000. A rare Viking-Age Spangenhelm iron helmet (shown below) comprised of four curved triangular plates with outer supportive bands, was made circa 900-1100 AD and could reach £6,000-£9,000 at auction. Perhaps the most unusual design elements are seen on a rare bronze medieval helmet which is conical in shape and topped by a flared finial. Such helmets were used by the Anglo-Saxons, Franks and Slavs through the 10th century. Its pre-sale estimate is £40,000-£60,000.

antiquities
Rare Viking Age Spangenhelm iron helmet comprised of four curved triangular plates with outer supportive bands, circa 900-1100 AD. Accompanied by report from Russel Scott, famed lecturer and expert on Viking-period and medieval artifacts. Provenance: UK collector; old Danish collection. Estimate £6,000-£9,000

The Ancient Egyptian category includes dozens of tantalizing possibilities. A sculptured gilt wood and bronze ibis (shown at top of page), circa 664-32 BC (Late Period to Ptolemaic Period), is of a type that was sometimes formed as a coffin to hold a sacrificed, mummified ibis. With a long trail of provenance, this particularly attractive artwork is expected to reach £10,000-£20,000. A gesso and painted cedar wood sarcophagus mask, circa 1069-332 BC (Third Intermediate Period to Late Period), has distinctive carved and painted facial features, including mesmerizing oversize eyes and eyebrows, a prominent nose and a gentle smile. Estimate £2,000-£3,000

antiquities
Ancient Egyptian gesso/painted cedar wood mummy mask, circa 1069-332 BC, Third Intermediate Period to Late Period, 180mm x 100mm. Estimate £2,000-£3,000

Also worthy of special note is an outstanding pair of Ancient Roman bronze and iron fittings, each comprising a spiral fluted column with an iron rod projecting from and Ionic-variant capital surmounted by a bust of Bacchus wearing a goat pelt. Formerly sold at Christie’s New York in 2012, the pair is offered with a £30,000-£60,000 estimate.

antiquities
Outstanding pair of Ancient Roman bronze and iron fittings, each comprising a spiral fluted column with iron rod projecting from Ionic-variant capital surmounted by bust of Bacchus wearing goat pelt with hoof draped over shoulder. Size: 375mm x 300mm. Ex Christie’s New York, Dec. 5, 2012. Estimate £30,000-£60,000

Many significant dynasties are represented in the assemblage of Ancient Chinese art. A sampling shows a Shang Dynasty bronze tripod vessel known as a “ding” (see second image from top of page), £20,000-£40,000; a Tang Dynasty seated Bodhisattva marble torso, £20,000-£40,000; and a number of popular Tang and Han Dynasty terracotta animals (e.g., horses, camels, fowl) and human figures.

antiquities
Chinese Han Dynasty hollow-form terracotta rhinoceros, circa 202-220 AD, cream color with rose-hued ears. TL-tested Ralf Kotalla laboratory in Germany. Provenance: private collection of a gentleman in Somerset, England. Estimate £6,000-£9,000

A Han Dynasty hollow-form terracotta rhinoceros, circa 202-220 AD, displays an appealing color palette of cream overall with subtly rose-hued ears. TL-tested at the independent Ralf Kotalla laboratory in Germany, it comes to auction with a £6,000-£9,000 estimate.

antiquities
Gandharan grey chlorite-schist statue of Prince Siddhartha Gautama meditating beneath the Jambu tree, circa 200-300 AD, 650mm x 370mm. Similar to an example in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Provenance: collection of a London gentleman, formerly in a European collection formed in the 1970s. Estimate £20,000-£40,000

The exquisite artistry of Gandharan sculptures is showcased in 11 lots that range from an iconic circa 100-500 AD stucco lion, £1,000-£2,000; to enlightened Buddhist figures and even a circa 200-400 AD “ganika,” or courtesan, £2,000-£3,000. At the upper end of the grouping, pricewise, are a circa 400-500 AD seated Bodhisattva Maitreya and a circa 100-300AD schist narrative relief depicting sequential scenes from the life of Buddha. Each is estimated at £10,000-£20,000. In a league of its own is a circa 200-300 AD grey chlorite-schist statue of Prince Siddhartha Gautama (shown above) meditating beneath the Jambu tree. Similar to an example in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it could achieve £20,000-£40,000.

antiquities
Medieval gold twisted ring with emerald stone, circa 1300 AD, possibly Byzantine, XRF-tested, analysis will accompany the purchase. Provenance: an old London collection formed in the 1990s. Estimate £6,000-£9,000

Wearable ancient jewellery remains one of the fastest-growing categories in Apollo Galleries’ sales, prompting the company’s launch of a dedicated department for the specialty. With holiday shopping in mind, bidders will want to pay close attention to the spectacular assortment of Viking, Roman and Bronze Age rings, bracelets, pendants, and necklaces, many of which are set with precious or semiprecious stones in high-karat gold. One of the many highlights is an XRF-tested medieval gold twisted ring with an emerald stone, circa 1300 AD and possibly Byzantine, that comes from a London collection formed in the 1990s. Estimate: £6,000-£9,000

Apollo Galleries is a member of the British Numismatic Trading Association (BNTA) and the Art Loss Register (AR). The company ships worldwide, and all packing is handled by white-glove specialists in-house.

The November 21, 2021 auction will commence at 9 a.m. US Eastern time/2 p.m. UK time. View the fully illustrated auction catalogue and sign up to bid absentee or live online via LiveAuctioneers. Questions: call Apollo Galleries, London, on +44 7424 994167 or email info@apollogalleries.com. Online www.apollogalleries.com

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