MONTROSE, Calif. – A lovely Moche portrait vessel made between 100 B.C. and A.D. 500, a Late Period Ptolemaic Egyptian bronze sarcophagus of a lizard, and a gorgeous Cypriot alabaster dish from the fourth or fifth century B.C. are a few expected top lots in Ancient Resource Auctions’ online-only Auction #85, a Summer Antiquities Discovery Sale slated for Saturday, June 27. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.
“Our Summer Discovery Sale will feature a wonderful selection of authentic, museum quality and well-provenanced items from various cultures, as well as other ethnographic and antique items starting at great values,” said Gabriel Vandervort of Ancient Resource Auctions. “Also sold will be an array of antique and ancient-style reproduction pieces.”
The auction is up and online now for pre-bidding. It will go live on auction day, July 27 at 9 a.m. Pacific time and will continue throughout the day. Up for bid are around 325 lots of authentic Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, Holy Land, Byzantine, Asian and Pre-Columbian antiquities, plus fine examples of ethnographic art – something for every level of collector.
The Egyptian bronze sarcophagus for a lizard from the Late Period, Ptolemaic (circa 664-30 B.C.) is a nice example with good detail and carries an estimate of $450-$700. The figure is associated with the creator god Atum and consists of a rectangular bronze box with a likeness of a lizard on top. The diminutive piece measures approximately 2½ inches by 1¼ inch by 1 inch.
The visually arresting Moche portrait vessel, 11½ inches tall, depicts a male with well-modeled features and a wrapped headdress. The eyes are well-formed and the features look as if they actually represent someone recognizable by those who knew him. This nice example of a distinguished pottery type unique to the Moche culture is expected to achieve $600-$800.
The Cypriot alabaster dish from the fourth or fifth century B.C. is carved from attractive banded stone and features a rounded bottom and a wide, flat rim. It’s 3½ inches in diameter and comes with a cute little custom wire stand. A nearly identical example of the dish resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The one in the sale carries an estimate of $600-$900.
A decorative antique necklace comprised of Islamic glass beads, mostly circa eighth-12th century, with the beads strung together with plated coin replicas, brass breads and wire (all probably early 20th century) is expected to bring $700-$1,000; while a Vera Cruz Remojades style figural whistle from Mexico, circa 300 B,C.-A.D. 300, 9 inches tall, with the figure shown standing with an elaborate headdress and costume and wearing a central ovoid pendant, should hit $300-$500.
Two ancient Egyptian lots have identical estimates of $600-$1,000. One is a Middle Kingdom alabaster jar, circa 2040-1802 B.C., 5¼ inches tall, having an ovoid body with a narrow flat bottom and rounded rim. The other is a bronze striding figure of Amun from the Late Period, circa, 664-332 B.C., depicted wearing a short skirt, a feathered headdress and a false beard. The 4¾-inch-tall figure strides with the left foot forward, the left had grasping a staff that’s now lost.
A mounted set of five Near Eastern bronze arrow and spear points dating to around 1200-800 B.C., each one well preserved with attractive mottled green patination, the group mounted in a nice custom metal base, should realize $450-$700. Also, a Near Eastern iron knife with a bronze handle from the 12th-14th century (or a little later), 14 inches in length, is estimated to gavel for $350-$500. The blade, reattached to the handle, is nicely preserved and has a stable oxide patina.
Because of social distancing restrictions in Los Angeles and the COVID-19 health crisis, in-person meetings to preview items are difficult. However, Ancient Resource Auctions is happy to send additional photos and conduct detailed condition reports for interested bidders, as well as answer any and all questions. Call Ancient Resource Auctions at 818-425-9633 or email ancientresourceauctions@yahoo.com.
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