Woolly rhinoceros skull vies for top lot at Ancient Resource Auctions March 2

Woolly rhinoceros skull

Woolly rhinoceros skull fossil from the Pleistocene era, about 20,000 years old, found in the Meuse River in Belgium. Estimate: $50,000-$60,000. Ancient Resource Auctions image

MONTROSE, Calif. – A spectacular selection of authentic, well-provenanced ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, Islamic, Byzantine and Pre-Columbian antiquities, plus many other unique ethnographic items, will be sold in an online-only Exceptional Antiquities Sale on Saturday, March 2 at 9 a.m. Pacific time by Ancient Resource Auctions. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

All lots may be viewed and bid on now, via Ancient Resource Auctions’ dedicated bidding platform, bid.AncientResourceAuctions.com, and on its bidding apps for both Android and Apple devices. Bidding will also be available on LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

“We are quite proud of this auction. It’s one of our biggest sales in years, and we’re featuring an incredible selection of antiquities from a wide variety of cultures,” said Gabriel Vandervort, the president and owner of Ancient Resource Auctions. “We also have a fantastic selection of fossils that we are excited to be offering. Buyers are sure to get really wonderful pieces at great prices.”

Important lots expected to attract keen bidder interest include a spectacular and complete woolly rhinoceros skull fossil from the Pleistocene era, about 20,000 years old (above), an Egyptian pharaoh limestone head from a sphinx dating to the Ptolemaic period, circa 332-30 B.C. (lot 74) and a gorgeous Etruscan terra-cotta female votive head from the fourth century B.C. (below).

Woolly rhinoceros skull

Etruscan terra-cotta female votive head, fourth century B.C., boasting beautifully modeled features in high relief. Estimate: $5,500-$8,000. Ancient Resource Auctions image

With a presale estimate of $50,000-$60,000, the woolly rhinoceros skull fossil is a strong candidate for top lot of the auction. The signature specimen is a complete skull from one of the most famous beasts of the last Ice Age. The fact that it was found in Europe (the Meuse River in Belgium) and not the Siberian Tundra, where most have been found, only adds to its desirability.

The Egyptian limestone head from a sphinx depicts a pharaoh wearing a Nemes head cloth, with lappets and uraeus (below). The features of the 11½-inch-tall figure are handsomely carved, making it a nice display piece and accounting for its $10,000-$15,000 presale estimate. It was previously in the collection of Ruth Deyo and her husband Charles Dalton. Mrs. Deyo was a world-renowned musician and personality, and a close friend of the famed archaeologist Howard Carter.

Woolly rhinoceros skull

Egyptian pharaoh limestone head from a sphinx dating to the Ptolemaic period, circa 332-30 B.C., 11½ inches tall. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000. Ancient Resource Auctions image

The Etruscan terra-cotta female votive head boasts beautifully modeled features in high relief. She wears a diadem adorned with rings and pellets and disc earrings, and her hair is parted at the center and styled in waves, with bunches of curls above each cheek. Purchased by the owner at a Sotheby’s auction in the 1980s, the head, with dazzling eye appeal, should bring $5,500-$8,000.

A giant, prehistoric Tarpon-like Cladocyclus fish fossil from the Lower Cretaceous Period in the time of the dinosaurs about 110 million years ago, 48½ inches by 11¼ inches, has an estimate of $18,000-$25,000. Also, an Egyptian Middle Kingdom pottery Hippopotamus, circa 2061-1784 BC, 3 inches tall, standing on a rectangular base, should make $1,750-$3,500.

An Egyptian bronze figure of a striding Harpokrates from the Late Period, circa 664-332 B.C., depicted nude wearing a Nemes headcloth with uraeus and the Hem Hem crown, 7¾ inches tall on a base, should fetch $9,000-$15,000; while an equally gorgeous series of three Egyptian wood panels, also Late Period, circa 664-30 B.C., from a door or shrine, is estimated at $6,000-$8,000.

A Greek terra-cotta relief scene from circa the fifth century B.C., depicting two women seated on ornate chairs and facing each other, mold-made and partially in the round, is expected to realize $8,000-$12,000; and an Egyptian sandstone Canopic jar lid representing Imsety, one of the four sons of Horus, made during the New Kingdom, circa 1570-1075 B.C., should hit $3,000-$5,000.

Woolly rhinoceros skull

Greek terra-cotta relief scene from circa the fifth century B.C., mold-made and partially in the round. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000 Ancient Resource Auctions image

A large Coptic limestone funerary stela (standing slab) from the fourth-fifth century A.D., 22 inches tall, depicting a male youth kneeling on a soft chair or pillow, supported by Corinthian columns, has an estimate of $8,000-$10,000. Also, a gorgeous Greek Tanagra figurine of a woman draped in chiton and himation, circa third-second century B.C., 8 inches tall, should command $1,800-$3,000.

A fourth century B.C. Apulian red-figure lidded kothon, depicting the head of a lady of fashion, 7¼ inches tall, a beautiful example with fine style and excellent preservation, is estimated to achieve $1,800-$3,000; while two exquisitely carved Taino hard stone Cohoba bowls, both circa A.D. 1000-1500, one ovoid and the other oval, will be sold individually (est. $200-$400, $300-$600).

Woolly rhinoceros skull

Fourth century B.C. Apulian red figure lidded kothon, 7¼ inches tall, a beautiful example with fine style and excellent preservation. Estimate: $1,800-$3,000 Ancient Resource Auctions image

A rare and superb bicolor faience statue of Nefertem from the Late Period (circa 664-30 B.C.), shown seated on a decorated throne supporting a large Eye of Horus against his chest, 6½ inches tall, is expected to garner $6,000-$10,000; while a lovely marble portrait of Aristotle, circa 15th-17th century, 14½ inches by 10¾ inches, with a Latin inscription, should sell for $3,000-$5,000.

A stunning Vera Cruz standing priest (Late Classic/Early Post Classic, circa A.D. 500-900), 23½ inches tall, with both arms outstretched, wearing a loin cloth, headdress, ear spools and a beaded necklace, has an estimate of $1,800-$3,500. Also, a large Vera Cruz ceramic head, circa A.D. 400-700, with handsome, nicely modeled features and very well preserved, should earn $900-$1,200.

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