Artemis Gallery Presents Classical Antiquities, Ethnographic and Folk Art, Aug. 25 | MENAFN.COM

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Artemis Gallery Presents Classical Antiquities, Ethnographic and Folk Art, Aug. 25  MENAFN Press - 22/08/2016

(MENAFN Press) BOULDER, CO The Egyptians, the Greeks, Near Eastern and Asian civilizations all left artistic contributions of staggering importance to the ages, and some of the greatest survivors are seen in auctions conducted by Artemis Gallery. The Colorado companys owners, Bob and Teresa Dodge, are renowned specialists in ancient and ethnographic art. They will present their next expertly curated auction of antiquities, ethnographic and Latin American folk art on Thursday, Aug. 25, with absentee, phone and Internet live bidding available on all lots. Over 400 lots will be offered, starting with Ancient Egyptian treasures. The auction opener is an intriguing ovaloid hand-coiled pottery grain measure. The vessel was made from Nile silt using kilning techniques the Egyptians invented circa 3500-3200 BCE. This process was described by the British Museum following their excavation at Hierakonpolis. Standing 9.5 inches high, the attractive orange/red and black pigment-painted pot is estimated at 1,500-2,000. One of five distinctively different Egyptian ushabti in the sale, Lot 10 is of polychrome-painted clay and dates to the Third Intermediate Period, circa 1070-712BCE. Ushabti figures were placed in tombs to do manual labor for the deceased in the afterlife and sometimes hold tools or baskets. The example in Artemis auction stands 7.75 inches tall and could command a selling price in the 2,000-3,000 range. The Greek section is led by Lot 19, a circa 430-300 BCE Magna Graecia (Apulia, southern Italy) pottery oinochoe with red-figure artwork, a strap handle and pinched rim. The subject is the god Eros, a heavily muscled, winged young man shown naked with the exception of jewelry. The art on the 6.75-inch pouring vessel is in spectacular condition, making this piece worthy of inclusion in even the most advanced collection. Estimate: 2,500-3,500. Other Greek highlights include: Lot 20, a magnificent ribbed and lidded pyxis with iridescent glaze, 1,200-1,500; and Lot 26A, a Daunian polychrome askos with avian face, 900-1,400. Lot 38 is a stellar example of the redware pottery of 3rd-4th century CE Roman North Africa, one of the wealthiest provinces of the Roman Empire. The material from which the vessel is made is known as African terra sigilata. It is decorated with filigree leaves and animal forms, including rabbits, birds and serpents. Estimate: 2,500-3,500. Another standout is Lot 35, a Roman bronze-applique actors mask form depicting a young mans face adorned with elaborately styled hair and wearing a peaked hat. Estimate: 900-1,400. The Near Eastern selection includes Lot 47, a large (23.2 inches long) and well-formed cast-bronze sword, circa 1000 BCE, from the region of Luristan, 2,000-3,000; and Lot 53C, a captivating hammered gold solidus coin from Constantinople. Dating to 457-474 CE and bearing the bas-relief image of an emperor with a spear over his shoulder, it is expected to make 1,800-2,500 at auction. The mystical multi-armed Indian goddess Pala appears in relief on a black schist panel, Lot 59, est. 1,500-2,000; while Lot 59A is a vertical stone carving of three 5th-century CE Buddhas in full lotus position, est. 1,200-1,800. In terms of a harmonious matching of color with artistry, however, the prize goes to Lot 71, a gorgeous circa-19th-century CE dowry necklace. Comprised of graduated round, polished pigeon blood rubies interspersed with 18K gold beads, it further boasts a center pendant of eight cabochon rubies, also set in 18K gold. The 16-inch-long necklace was formerly in a California private collection and is estimated at 2,000-3,000. A life-size 18th-century painted white marble head of a serene Buddha, origin Burma, was formerly in the Peter Arnovick collection. Presented on a custom stand, it is estimated at 2,500-3,500. Also having provenance from the Arnovick collection, Lot 113 is a superb, early Papua New Guinea woven Abelam Yam ancestral mask from the first quarter of the 20th century. Composed of bark, it is affixed to a very old seashell. Estimate: 2,000-3,000. With a line of distinguished provenance that includes the 11/14/73 auction at Sothebys Parke Bernet, Lot 80 is a Pre-Columbian Peruvian (Moche III, circa 350-500 CE) portrait vessel depicting a face with pronounced features, draped in a cowl or headdress. A luxury item, it ultimately would have been buried as a funerary offering. Estimate: 1,200-1,500. In addition to the superior examples of Pre-Columbian pottery, the auction features an exceptional hand-made jewelry item from Costa Ricas Guanacaste/Nicoya region, circa 1-500 CE. Entered as Lot 81, the stunning dark green carved jade pendant is topped by two zoomorphic heads, while the lower section is decorated with images of five human heads with drilled eyes and string-cut facial features. Ex collection of Allen Davis of Santa Fe, N.M., it is estimated at 1,500-2,500. Part III of a 1,000-piece collection of primarily Central and South American folk art is featured in the auction, with a portion of the proceeds earmarked to benefit The Fowler Museum at UCLA. Among the highlights are: Lot 209, an early 20th-century Mexican wood childs chair; Lot 215, an Ed Mann 20th-century painted-wood depiction of Jonah and the Whale; Lot 217, a pottery Colima dog with mask; and Lot 220, an early 20th-century Guatemalan dance mask depicting a mans face with moustache and glass eyes. As is the case with all Artemis Gallery auctions, each and every item offered is unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic, as described, and legal to acquire per federal guidelines. A certificate of authenticity will accompany each purchase. Bidders may participate in Artemis Gallerys Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016 auction live online, by phone (please reserve phone line in advance) or by leaving an absentee bid that will be lodged confidentially and competitively on their behalf. The sale begins at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Also, bid absentee or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com. For additional information on any item, call Teresa Dodge at 720-890-7700 or email . Visit Artemis Gallery online at http://www.artemisgallery.com/. CAPTION: https://new.liveauctioneers.com/item/47303382_byzantine-gold-solidus-the-emperor Byzantine hammered gold solidus coin with image of emperor, 4.50 grams, ex private New York collection, est. 1,800-2,500 Image courtesy Artemis Gallery