LONDON – Antiquities and cultural art continue to grow in popularity, particularly for those who recognize the way in which an ancient artwork – whether a statue, a tapestry or a painted vessel – can elevate the tone of a room’s décor. Apollo Art Auctions has announced a Sunday, December 17 online-only auction of expertly authenticated, well-provenanced artifacts from Classical Europe through Egypt and the Near East, as well as many art treasures of China, India and the Islamic world. The catalog is now available for bidding at LiveAuctioneers.
Nearly 60 lots of ancient Egyptian art will be auctioned. This rimmed stone plate or tray with a surface displaying a beautiful array of natural veins is among the leading lots. Made circa-3000-2750 BCE, it was formerly the property of a North London gentleman and, prior to that, was part of a private collection formed in Paris in the 1970s. It is estimated at £4,000-£6,000 ($5,010-$7,520).
Applied arts were at the center of Classical Greek culture. An Attic red-figure krater with an attractive inverted bell-shape body dates to around the late 4th-3rd century BCE and measures 290 by 290mm (11.4 by 11.4in). Its richly painted program consists of a winged figure of Hypnos holding a trident on Side A, and a robed female, probably representing the deceased, on Side B. British and Continental European provenance can be traced back to its 1990s purchase in Paris. The krater is estimated at £4,000-£6,000 ($5,010-$7,520).
The sale will commence with a much earlier Greek production dating to circa 5th century BCE: a compelling bas-relief marble face with well-formed, nicely proportioned features, mounted on a custom-made stand. Its provenance includes the collection of a North London gentleman and, prior to that, a European collection and acquisition in Paris in the 1990s. The piece is estimated at £6,000-£9,000 ($7,520-$11,290).
From the Roman Imperial period, a circa-100-300 CE marble funerary plaque serves as an eternal tribute to ‘ABURIA PROCULA’ and is carved with three lines of Latin inscription. It measures 220 by 330mm (8.7 by 13in). Most recently the property of a London gallery and previously acquired on the Dutch art market, it was also once owned by Cedric Renard, who obtained it on the Brussels art market in 1984. It carries an estimate of £4,000-£6,000 ($5,010-$7,520).
A circa-400 BCE Hellenistic carnelian intaglio portrait of a mature bearded man set in a gold ring of a later period is also featured. It has been held in successive British collections since its 1970s acquisition on the U.K. art market. It is estimated at £4,000-£6,000 ($5,010-$7,520).
Another wonderful jewelry highlight is a Byzantine gold ring dating to circa 1200 CE. Its rectangular bezel is carved with an ‘IC’ monogram for Jesus and has a laurel-wreath inscription for ‘Scorpio.’ The ring has been XRF tested and claims an illustrious provenance. Prior to its ownership by a London ancient art gallery, it was part of the celebrated collection of the late London barrister Alison Barker, who acquired it sometime between the early 1960s and 1990s. The ring has an estimate of £2,000-£3,000 ($2,500-$3,760).
