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Antiquities - Pre-Roman |
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| Lot 414 |
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Fragment of a Hathor Sistrum in Unusually Colored Limestone. Egypt, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. Carved from greenish limestone, resembling the Egyptian's beloved blue-green faience, this object is finely styled and crafted. The sistrum is comprised of janiform heads of the goddess Hathor, with a thick wig, her expression serene, and her attributes of cow ears. Her crown is an open door shrine (naos), with central uraeus (cobra) emerging. Below the goddess' neck is a columnar section, inscribed with hieroglyphs, which forms part of the handle to the sistrum. This is inletted on the bottom where it would have attached to the rest of the handle. Carefully reassembled from several large pieces, the object shows the hazards of the millennia, but does not obscure the quality of the art that was wrought. The limestone, almost a blue green within, has faded to a pale green and off white at its exterior surfaces. Height: 4-7/8". A quality Egyptian sculpture of some size. Rare! (Photo).
Estimate $1,000-2,000.
Provenance: Hathor was the goddess of music, joy, love and motherhood. However, her serene expression belied another, darker side: she punished rebellious humans, was vengeful, and almost destroyed the whole human race.. |
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| Lot 415 |
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Terra Cotta Figurine of Mother and Child. Roman Phoenicia, 1st-2nd century AD. Mold-made in a pinkish red ware, the woman is clad in a short-sleeved chiton, and has a cloak draped about her shoulder and waist. She stands on a high squarish plinth and supports a similarly dressed child at her shoulder. One foot missing, otherwise in choice condition, with traces of red and yellow paint along cloak. Height: 7-1/2", and mounted on custom Lucite stand. Perhaps a votive for a successful childbirth, since many similar figures are known where the child is absent and the woman is obviously pregnant (Photo).
Estimate $200-300. |
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| Lot 416 |
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Lot of Two "Bilbil" Juglets. Cyprus and Canaan, c. 1550-1200 BC. From the Late Bronze Age, the time of the Biblical Judges, two examples, large and small, of an interesting pottery type peculiar to Cyprus and Palestine. From Cyprus, the largest bilbil well potted in buff ware with gray slip and overpaint of radiating white lines along the body and circular bands at the neck. Similar but smaller, and somewhat less well made, is the Canaanite version - in red-tan ware with deep gray slip. This devoid of ornament. Both with slim single strap handles, and the distinctive "back slant" to the vessel. Smallest in choice condition. The Cypriote piece with a few discreet repairs, otherwise in exceptional condition, and the largest example we have seen of this type - thus rare as such. Heights: 11"; 5". Lot of 2 pieces (Photo).
Estimate $500-750.
Provenance: Many of these "bilbil" jugs were imported into Canaan, primarily from Cyprus, along with locally made products. They were probably employed for the opium and medicinals trade. Analysis of substances found inside some of them has shown that they were used to hold the drug opium. The shape of the jug is strikingly like that of an upturned poppy head. Cf. Ruth Amiran, Ancient Pottery of the Holy Land, pl. 54, no. 7. |
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| Lot 417 |
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Group of Ancient Holyland Antiquities. Near East, c. 1800 BC. - 600 AD. A variety of objects from lands touched upon in the scriptures, including a small Egyptian bowl in alabaster (Middle Kingdom?), with an old repair to its base. Its surfaces coated with a brown resinous material, the repair work and "patination" are typical of 19th century restorations. Also two vessels with ovate bodies (and chipped rims); one Roman era, the other Hellenistic or earlier. Also in bronze, a circular Byzantine bread stamp, with Greek inscription. Lastly, a small narrow chalice in terra cotta, its sides adorned with a frieze of crosses and amphorae. Likely made 100 years ago for the tourist trade. Heights: 1-3/4" - 4-7/8". Lot of 5 pieces (Photo).
Estimate $100-200. |
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| Lot 418 |
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Roman Ceramic Vial from the Moshe Dayan Collection. Judaea, c. 100 AD. Neatly potted vial, in coarse pink ware, with traces of red-brown slip. Bottle with piriform body and thick columnar neck, and very well preserved but for three trivial chips on bottle's rim. Inscribed in ink on one side towards base: "Samaria, A.D. 100, M. Dayan." Attractive, both as an artifact of ancient Judaea, but also as a momento from Isreal's most celebrated general of recent times, who was both an archeologist and a collector. Height: 4-7/8" (Photo).
Estimate $100-200. |
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| Lot 419 |
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Ancient Lamps from Judea, 2nd century AD, and later. Earliest is Roman with molded design in discus (a sheep? among other objects), with dark red to brown slip; nicely mounted on custom display case. In addition are two "slipper" lamps from the Byzantine period, in coarse pink-tan ware, both with heavy earthen patinas. Plus, uncertain Near East, likely Late Antique, in reddish terra cotta an amusing figural handle to fragmentary lid. Handle of a stylized boar, with beady eyes, straddling the topmost portion of the incise-decorated lid. Lastly, a lid from a pyxis, probably Cypriote, c. 500 BC., with painted linear ornament. Objects in very fine to excellent condition. Lengths: 3" - 3-3/4". Lot of 5 pieces (Photo).
Estimate $150-250. |
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| Lot 420 |
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Lot of Three "Devil Trap," or Judeo-Aramaic Incantation Bowls. Near East, c. 5th-7th centuries AD. Lot of three fairly crude buff clay bowls, the largest conical with rounded bottom, along with two smaller examples, shaped like flared cones with flat bottoms. The interior of the largest with painted inscription in Judeo-Aramaic forming a multiple line spiral within. The next size smaller bowl similar, but with less careful lettering. The last and smallest similar, but with even more debased letter forms, so that the writing would be more properly termed a "psuedo-inscription." Two bowls yellowish in color, while the middle bowl with reddish violet tint. Largest with chipping to base, the second with minor rim nicks, otherwise bowls complete and without the repairs and re-assembly. Diameters: 5" - 6-3/4". Lot of 3 pieces. Interesting, and always in demand (Photo).
Estimate $700-1,000.
Provenance: From Mesopotamia to Palestine, the ancient peoples of the Near East believed that a demon-goddess named Lilith was responsible for infant death, disease, the infidelity of husbands, and like disasters. However, certain incantations, or naming and/or calling on certain beneficent deities could repel or entrap her and thereby rendering her unable to do her worst. Spiraling towards the center, the magical spell would weave a snare to entrap the evil demon. Thus these magic incantation bowls were also referred to as "demon bowls" or "devil-trap bowls." They were buried under the foundations of homes, after reciting the spells inside them, so that they would protect the family living in the home above them.. |
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| Lot 421 |
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Attractive Attic Kylix. Athens, c. 460-420 BC. The drinking cup well made with choice glossy to semi-glossy black glaze, and reserve areas in orange at bottom of foot and inner edges of handles. At tondo, within the cup, a woman (maenad?) stands left, holding a staff, clad in chiton and himation. Figure nicely drawn, with black lines for the main form, and light red lines (diluted glaze) to delineate the pleated folds of the chiton. Behind her, perhaps a psuedo-inscription in two lines. Reassembled from several large pieces, the cup has a modest area of restoration (in the black field) in part of the cup, plus the stem and interior of the foot. The figural art itself with nearly insignificant spots of touch up. Interestingly the top of the cup's foot shows evidence of ancient repairs (holes for metal staples). Rest of cup with choice, pristine surfaces. An excellent yet affordable example of the most desired of ancient ceramic artifacts. Width: 9-1/2" (Photo).
Estimate $3,000-4,000. |
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| Lot 422 |
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Charming and Pristine Owl Cup. Athens, or Apulia, c. 400-350 BC. The red-figure skyphos very well crafted, with black glaze on pink-orange ware. On either side an owl stands frontal, between two upright sprigs of olive. Intact and suprisingly free of the usual repairs; only restoration being a handful of small paint touch ups to the rim. A very pleasing example of its class. Height: 2-7/8"; Width: 5-7/8" (Photo).
Estimate $500-750. |
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| Lot 423 |
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A Fine and Large Bell Krater. Apulia, c. 350-340 BC. One of the most popular ceramic forms of the South Italian Greeks, this vessel finely potted and painted by a superior artist. Side A: Nude Eros approaches a maiden, her head turned back, and presents her with a basket of loaves(?) and a fillet, all on a groundline of meanders. A border of laurel leaves above encircles the vase below its exterior rim. Side B: Two cloak-draped youths stand in conversation, each holding a walking stick; hanging cloth in between. Also a border of meanders beneath. Vase reassembled from large fragments, with modest restoration, with none affecting any significant portions of the figures. Aside from a small patch of flaking and fading on reverse side, the preservation of surfaces is choice, with the glaze mostly glossy and free from weathering. Height: 11-1/2". Simple and elegant, with fine figural art, this is a truly choice antiquity! (Photo).
Estimate $3,500-4,500. |
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| Lot 424 |
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Handsome Red-figure Stemless Kylix. Apulia, c. 350-330 BC. Kylix of usual form, but sits in wide ring foot. The glaze an extremely glossy silvery black, with olive tint, along with reserve bands of red on underside of foot. The tondo shows a graceful acanthus palmette, centered within reserve circles of red. Repair with trivial restoration to one handle, otherwise intact and pristine. Width: 9-3/4". A wonderful object -- so classically Greek! (Photo).
Estimate $1,500-2,000. |
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| Lot 425 |
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A Charming Gnathia Ware Kylix. Apulia, c. 340-330 BC. This example with deep cup-like bowl, short foot, and typical graceful handles. The black glaze faintly olive-tinged, but smooth and glossy, with reserve bands of red at foot. In applied white and yellow colors along with incised details, one side of kylix with flying dove framed by pendant vine motif. The other side similar, but with two rosettes instead. Rims on both sides with short borders of painted and incised tongue and egg pattern. Vessel recomposed from large pieces, with only minor restoration and paint touch up. Otherwise, condition near pristine. Width: 5-3/4". Choice! (Photo).
Estimate $400-500. |
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| Lot 426 |
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Outstanding Red-figure Lekanis. Apulia, c. 330-320 BC. The lekanis, a lidded dish, especially popular in Magna Graecia, in southern Italy. Its base of kylix form, but the rim is flanged to receive a lid. This in handsome black glaze, with reserve bands of red on the short foot, along with applied white petals with yellow overglaze around the exterior walls of the dish. The intricately painted lid shows a woman of fashion, and a rather effeminate Eros seated and holding various objects. These two are separated by elegant and large acanthus palmettes on either side. Lid handle with central rosette within border of waves along rim; waves also edge lower rim of lid. The figural drawing quite fine for this period, with added detailing in applied white and yellow. But for a few negligible chips, the vessel complete and intact, without repairs or paint touch -- the condition virtually pristine. Width: 9-3/4". Height: 7". A splendid artifact, so reflective of the Italian Greek's love of the sumptuously ornate (Photo).
Estimate $2,000-2,500. |
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| Lot 427 |
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Lovely Black-Glaze Epichysis. Magna Graecia, perhaps Apulia, c. mid-4th century BC. This distinctive vessel with squat, spool-shaped body, rounded and fluted shoulders, along with a high arching strap handle and narrow trough-like spout. At either side of spout a sharply molded female mask -- finely detailed and attractive. The fine black glaze glossy and nearly complete. Small chip at base of foot, and narrow age crack across shoulder and around base of neck, otherwise bottle in choice condition and appears sound and stable. Handsome example of type. Height: 5-1/8" (Photo).
Estimate $300-400. |
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| Lot 428 |
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Splendid Gnathia Ware Epichysis. Apulia, c. 340-330 BC. This distinctive vessel form with short, spool-shaped body, rounded shoulders , and high arching, almost angular strap handle and narrow tubular spout. At either side of spout molded female masks. Fine black glaze nearly covers the vessel but for three reserve bands of red wash on the body. Along the shoulder, in applied colors, two rows of grape vines in yellow and white flank a central red band. Above and below borders of beading in yellow, with row of petals at neck and tongue and egg pattern at shoulder rim in white. Small chip at foot and shoulder rims, otherwise bottle intact and in superb condition. A fine and handsome artifact! Height: 6-1/2" (Photo).
Estimate $500-650. |
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| Lot 429 |
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Three Choice Xenon Ware Miniatures. Campania or Apulia, late 4th century BC. The three charming pieces all replicating larger pottery forms. Shapes include: two mug-like olpes, and a Messapian-style kantharos, and all with excellent black glaze. Again, all with red overpaint ornament. The krater with two panels having wave patterns, each different from the other. One olpe with petals at shoulders and wreath at waist, while the other is similar, but with meander pattern at waist. All intact and beautifully preserved. Heights: 2-1/8" - 2-1/2". Delightful little antiquities! (Photo).
Estimate $350-500. |
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| Lot 430 |
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Three Choice Xenon Ware Miniatures. Campania or Apulia, late 4th century BC. The three charming pieces all replicating larger pottery forms. Shapes include: sessile or stemless kantharos resembling a bell krater, a trefoil oinochoe, and a Messapian-style kantharos. The first two with black glaze, the latter in lovely olive-silver gray. All with red overpaint ornament, two with wave patterns, with an acanthus palmette for the oinochoe. Paint a little faded on the palmette, otherwise all pieces quite pristine and exceptional. Heights: 2-1/8" - 2-7/8". Attractive and decorative little antiquities! (Photo).
Estimate $350-500. |
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| Lot 431 |
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Unusual Xenon Ware Guttus. Campania, c. 340-330 BC. The vessel of discoid shape, on ring foot, with upright handle to the side, and slim spout to front. Finely glazed in black, the central discus with facing head of a youthful satyr -- his features bold, if a bit coarse, and his hair fairly luxuriant. Applied over the glaze, as a red paint, is a pattern of petals bordering the discus, with a row of "egg and darts" below, along the sides. A few trivial chips at spout and along foot, otherwise guttus is remarkabley well preserved, and without repairs. Width: 4-5/8" (Photo).
Estimate $950-1,250.
Provenance: The guttus is generally defined as being a "lamp filler," for easily pouring oil into the lamp's reservoir. However many examples of this group have thick spouts with wide, often ribbed mouths, which seem unaccountably awkward for the purpose. Yet these same wide mouths work admirable as "roll-on" applicators for heavy oil, such as might have been used for bathing or anointing purposes. This in fact may be the true function of many of the guttoi. However, the above piece, with its very slim spout, would seem to more likely fit the description of lamp filler. The exact place of manufacture for Xenon ware objects remains uncertain. The most probable area appears to be Peucetia or Southern Daunia, perhaps Ruvo or Canosa.. |
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| Lot 432 |
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A Fine Red-Figure Fish Plate. Campania, c. 350-320 BC. Footed plate, with shallow sloping top, central depression, and broad turned down sides with inward curved rim. Top painted with two mullets(?) and a squid, plus a small perch and a ray. The creatures on black background, and painted with red and brownish washes, with added details in white and black. Along sides, a border of laurel leaves. The central depression (a reservoir for sauces or liquids) with rosette-like pattern. The foot painted with circular bands of black or red. A section of the foot restored, otherwise dish complete and intact, and well preserved without repairs or paint restoration. Diameter: 10". A very fine example of this less common class of ceramic (Photo).
Estimate $3,000-4,000. |
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| Lot 433 |
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Well Crafted Core-formed Amphoriskos. Levant or Italy, 3rd to 2nd century BC. Height: 4-1/4". Nicely porportioned, this deep blue glass vessel features a flat everted lip, long cylindrical neck, and inverted rounded conical body set upon a high small foot. Opaque yellow horizontal stripes edge the lip and wind about neck and body. The piece is marverd at the shoulder, along with slight heat tooling to create subtle ribbing along the shoulder's edge. Bottle is intact and perfect with weathered, lightly iridescent surfaces. A very fine example, and noteworthy for being complete. Cf. Toledo, Ancient Glass, no. 158, but of stouter form (Photo).
Estimate $1,000-1,500. |
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