By Carter B. Horsley In June, 2002, Christie's set an auction record for antiquities of almost eight million pounds for a beautiful marble statue of Venus at its antiquities auction in London. The New York antiquities sales at Sotheby's and Christie's in the fall of 2002 do not have any comparable blockbusters and actually are leaner in quality items than in recent years. This Christie's sale is highlighted by a marvelous Greek bronze lion, some good Greek and Roman statues and busts, several fine Greek vases and some excellent ancient glass. Christie's also has a separate auction the following day of Antique Jewelry that is highlighted by several lovely works.
The most appealing work of the Antiquities auction is Lot 133, a Greek bronze lion, Classical Period, circa 4th Century B.C. The hollow cost sculpture of the lion seated on his hind legs with a gaping mouth is 6 1/4 inches high. The catalogue notes that "the treatment of the locks of this lion is related to that of the famous Etruscan bronze Chimaera of Arezzo, now in Florence. The lot, which is in fine condition although it is missing its tail, has an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000. This work has a nice green patina and a highly animated face with a fabulously stylized treatment of the animal's mane. It failed to sell.
There are several works in the auction that were formerly in the collection of Dr. and Mrs. Freddy and Regina T. Homburger, most notably Lot 154, a Greek portrait of a queen, marble, Ptolemaic Period, circa 3rd Century B.C. The 15-inch-high sculpture is very beautiful and in fine condition except for a large gash on the left side of the figure's nose and some discoloration in part of the left eye. It has an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000. It sold for $95,600 including the buyer's premium as do all results mentioned in this article. A beautiful sculpture of an athlete that is missing its head and arms is Lot 233, a Roman marble that is 41 inches high and is dated circa 2nd Century A. D. The catalogue notes that it is "loosely based" on a Classical Greek original. It has an estimate of $90,000 to $120,000. It failed to sell.
A complete figure from the same period is Lot 245, a Roman bronze figure of Bacchus that is 22 5/8 inches high. The figure, which has a spotted greenish patina, is naked except for a faun's skin draped across his left shoulder and chest. It has an "estimate on request." It failed to sell.
Lot 259 is a striking marble portrait head of a man, Roman, circa mid- to late 3rd Century, A.D. The 11 1/4-inch-high head is finely modeled with an incised moustache and beard. Its nose is broken. It has an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000. It sold for $69,310. The auction has several nice fragmentary Roman works from sarcophagi and cinerary urns as well as some nice Palmyrene limestone funerary reliefs.
Lot 226 is a dramatic fragment from a marble Roman sarcophagus, 2nd Century A.D. The 24 1/2-inch-long frament depicts a scene from an Amazonomachy and is sculpted in high relief with a standing warrior armed as a Roman centurion carrying a large shield in his outstretched left arm and the Amazon seated astride a partially preserved horse with her mantle billowing in the wind and wielding a double-axe in her raised right hand. This lot has a conservative estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It sold for $33,460.
Lot 253 is a Roman marble oval cinerary urn whose exterior is carved in high relief and depicts a hunting scene. The 8 7/8-inch-high work was once in the collection of Charles D. Kelekian and has a conservative estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It sold for $41,825.
Lot 303 is a charming Palmyrene limestone funerary relief, 12 1/2 inches high, circa mid-2nd to 3rd Century A.D. The catalogue notes that "the deceased, most likely a priest, [is] depicted on a richly upholstered mattress at a funerary banquet." There is a similar piece in the Louvre. The lot has a modest estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $17,925.
Lot 250 is an impressive Roman marble statue of Mercury that is 28 1/8 inches high and is dated circa 2nd Century A. D. It has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $17,925.
Lot 244 is a very handsome Roman oval lead pyxis with a frieze of Bacchic revelry. The 3 7/8-inch-long is dated circa 1st-2nd Century A.D. and has a modest estimate of $5,000 to $7,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 218 is a very elegant Roman "Campana" terracotta relief that is 17 1/2 inches wide. Dated circa early 1st Century A.D., it has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $20,315.
Lot 275 is a fine Sumerian head of a worshipper, Late Early Dynastic Period, circa 2600-2350 B.C. The 3 1/2-inch-high calcite head depicts a woman with an elaborate coiffure. Her eyes now have modern lapis and synthetic inlays. The lot has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $17,925. Lot 283 is an impressive Near Eastern basalt altar that is dated circa 2nd-early 1st Millennium B.C. The altar is nicely carved with a ram's head and is 13 7/8 inches long. It has an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It sold for $23,900.
The cover illustration of the catalogue is Lot 47, an Apulian Gnathian-ware bell-krater that is attributed to the Konnakis Painter. The 13-inch-high black krater is simply but beautiful painted with the messenger goddess Iris on one side and a girl playing with a ball on the other. The vase is broken and the catalogue notes that it was repaired "in antiquity by means of four lead clamps." It has an estimate of $70,000 to $90,000. It sold for $83,650.
Lot 20 is a fine Attic black-figured neck-amphora that is attributed to the Group of Toronto. The 15 7/8-inch high base depicts Herakles battling Amazons on one side and three hoplites in battle on the other. It has a modest estimate of $25,000 to $35,000. It sold for $26,290. Another fine vase is Lot 16, an Attic black-figured amphora (type B), that is attributed to the Swing Painter, circa 540-520 B.C. The 18 5/8-inch-high amphora has an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. It sold for $53,775.
Lot 12 is a very good Corinthian black-figured trefoil oinochoe with three registers depicted animals that are painted with great style. The 16-inch high vessel is dated circa 580 B.C., and has a modest estimate of $6,000 to $8,000. It sold for $8,962.
Lot 83 is an Etrusco-Corinthian black-figure ople with five registers depicting animals. The 17 3/8-inch-high vessel is dated circa early 6th Century B.C., and has a modest estimate of $7,000 to $9,000. It sold for $6,572. Lot 145 is an impressive Apulian red-figured loutrophorous (type III=barrel amphora) that is attributed to the White Saccos Painter. The 44-inch-high vessel is dated circa 320-310 B.C., and has an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. It sold for $33,460.
This auction has a notable group of very fine ancient class that is highlight by some sensational cobalt blue and opaque white glass jars of which Lot 380, shown above, is a fine example. This marbled glass jar is 4 15/16 inches high and is dated to the 1st Century A.D. It has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $20,315.
One of the most interesting lots in the auction is 217, a painted terracotta Egyptian sarcophagus lid. Dated Roman Period, circa 3rd-4th Century A.D., it is 46 1/2 inches high and has a modest estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It failed to sell. The lid depicts, according to the catalogue, "an elite woman with her hair arranged in a bun, her small breasts protruding, her hands with open palms pressed against her lower abdomen, garlands around her neck and across her body, a rectangular panel at her legs, framed by scrolling grape vines and floral motifs." The stylization of the lid is quite remarkable. The woman's head is sculpted and raised but her arms and legs and shown like sticks and the "panel" is asymmetrically placed and depicted, and the decorative markings are highly abstract.
Lot 179 is a very adorable Egyptian faience baboon, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty XI-XII, 2040-1783 B.C. The 3 1/8-inch high figure was once in the collection of Marquis de Riviére, Ambassador of France, circa 1820s, according to the catalogue. It has a modest estimate of $4,000 to $6,000. It sold for $5,377.
Lot 209 is an Egyptian limestone sculptor's model portrait bust, Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C. The 6 3/4-inch-high model has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $33,460.
The Ancient Jewelry auction at Christie's Dec. 13, 2002 is highlighted by a smashing Greek gilt silver roundel of Alexander-Helios, a delightful Egyptian rock crystal amulet of Thoeris, a beautiful Neo-Babylonian head of a hippopotamus, and many fine rings and necklaces. Lot 568 is a Greek gilt silver roundel that depicts Alexander-Helios. The 4 3/4-inch-diameter piece is dated Hellenistic period, circa 4th Century B.C., and has an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $33,460.
Lot 513 is a beautiful rock crystal amulet of Thoeris, the hippopotamus-headed Egyptian goddess of childbirth. The 7/8-inch-high amulet has her hands rested on her swollen stomach, pendulous breasts, and a crocodile's tale along her back. It is dated Late Period, 664-332 B.C., and has a modest estimate of $2,000 to $3,000. It sold for $2,629.
Lot 531 is an exquisitely carved head of a hippopotamus that is a Neo-Babylonian haematite weight. Dated circa 8th-7th Century B.C., the piece is 15/16 inches long and has a modest estimate of $1,000 to $1,500. It sold for $8,365.
The cover illustration of the catalogue for this auction if Lot 551, a gold and carnelian finger ring engraved with a profile head of Herakles with his club positioned above but partially obscured by the ring's bezel. The 3/4-inch wide ring is Greek, Early Classical Period, circa mid-5th Century B.C., and has an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000. It sold for $35,850.
One of the auction's most charming pieces is Lot 553, a Greek bronze ring incised with the figure of a walking monkey. The 15/16-inch wide ring is dated Classical Period, circa 4th Century B.C., and has a modest estimate of $1,000 to $1,500. It sold for $2,868. Another fine ring is Lot 586 that has an Roman onyx cameo of an eagle's head. The silver and agate ring is 1 inch wide and is dated circa 1st Century B.C.-1st Century A.D. It has an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000. It sold for $4,780.
Lot 631 is a beautiful Roman gold and onyx ring engraved with Mercury and Victory. The 7/8-inch-wide ring is dated circa 2nd Century A.D. and has an estimate of $2,500 to $3,500. It sold for $2,629.
Lot 641 is a very interesting "magic" amulet in black steatite that is Roman, circa 2nd-3rd Century A.D. The 1 5/8-inch long disk-shaped piece is engraved on one side with Abrasax, the cock-headed anguipede with the body of a solider in cuirass and tunic, holding a whip in his right hand, and the other side is engraved with two figures of Chnoubis, the lion-headed serpent. The lot has a modest estimate of $1,000 to $1,500. It sold for $3,346.