Artemis Gallery to Auction Exceptional Antiquities, Ancient, Asian & Ethnographic Art, Oct. 22

BOULDER, Colo. - Oct. 16, 2015 - PRLog -- Provenance is always desirable, no matter what the collecting category may be, but when the object of pursuit is a premier cultural antiquity, prior ownership and the assurance that an item is legal to purchase escalate from “important” to “absolutely essential.” Artemis Gallery’s owners, Bob and Teresa Dodge, established their company on a foundation of knowledge and integrity, issuing an unconditional guarantee that every piece they offer is authentic and unquestionably legal for bidders to purchase. And it is that steadfast business mantra that continues to bring Artemis Gallery the caliber of consignments such as those seen in their Oct. 22 online auction of Exceptional Ancient, Asian and Ethnographic Art.

The October 22nd online auction is a first-class event brimming with museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities and ethnographic art from scores of ancient cultures. An overview of highlights reveals a Greek Attic amphora previously deaccessioned by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; a large and impressive Ancient Roman mosaic of a bacchante, and a circa-1750 Indian bronze figure of Parvati, purportedly a gift from Mahatma Gandhi to a prior owner, in 1946. There are many intriguing rarities of the Pre-Columbian world, plus coveted Roman glass, and even a matched pair of complete Pleistocene woolly mammoth tusks.

Egyptian

Endlessly fascinating, the Ancient Egyptians entombed their most highly prized relics, and for thousands of years, their treasures have mystified scholars. Several auction highlights shine a light on Egypt’s fascinating past. One of the finest pieces in the sale, Lot 3 is a 23 by 21-inch limestone relief of the goddess Hathor. Dating to the 18th to 20th Dynasties (circa 1570-1069 BCE) and formerly in the prestigious Simonian collection (Switzerland), it is expected to sell for $30,000-$40,000.

Greek

Two antiquities formerly in the collections of legendary London dealer Charles Ede and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston lead the Greek section. Lot 10 is a spectacular Greek Attic amphora adorned with a black-figure motif of a satyr and a maened duo engaged in a lively dance. Dating to circa 510 BCE, the 12½-inch amphora is similar to an example in the Getty Museum. It is estimated at $50,000-$70,000. Sharing the same provenance is Lot 12, a 12½-inch-tall Greek Attic lekythos with circumferential artwork attributed to the Reed Painter. Bidding could reach the $25,000-$35,000 range.

Roman

Growing rapidly in popularity with collectors, the subcategory of Roman glass is represented by a superior selection from art dealer to the rich and famous, Stuart Denenberg Fine Arts of Los Angeles. Lot 18, an imposing trefoil oinochoe, circa 3rd to 4th century CE, is one of the largest ancient glass vessels ever consigned to Artemis Gallery. Standing 10 1/8 inches tall, it is cataloged with a $6,000-$8,000 estimate. Lot 22, a tall, circa 100 CE blown-glass jug with lustrous natural finish is estimated at $3,000-$4,500, as is Lot 24, a handsome pyriform handled jug.

Asian

“Most of the Asian pieces in the auction came from Patrick and Nancy Kipper, who traveled throughout Asia – India, Thailand, Burma, Japan – and made many savvy purchases over a 25-year period,” said Bob Dodge. “The Kippers were discriminating buyers who settled for nothing less than the best. Literally every piece in their collection is an impeccable choice, both artistically and from the standpoint of historical significance.”

Pre-Columbian

The October 22nd sale contains arguably the best variety of high-end Pre-Columbian art Artemis Gallery has ever brought together in one event. Two circa 559-850 CE Mayan polychrome cylinders from the Ulua Valley, Honduras, display fantastical hand-painted imagery. Lot 55 is decorated with iconography of a procession honoring an ostentatiously dressed royal personage on a throne. His subject, who bows to the lord, wears a jaguar head, representing an animal of symbolic importance to the Mayan culture since before the flourishing of Chichen Itza. Lot 56 is crafted and decorated in classic Mayan style with three fine depictions of a standing black jaguar. Its estimate is $4,000-$8,000.

The sale is rounded out by medieval weaponry, African and Mexican art, and a highly select collection of 12 fossils, including Lot 91, an extremely rare matched pair of investment-grade Pleistocene woolly mammoth tusks, estimated at $80,000-$100,000. Lot 92 is a complete scapula from a woolly mammoth. Estimate: $10,000-$12,000.

“All of the fossils in this collection are rare and special,” said Dodge. “They are in ‘as found’ condition and completely original. It’s very unusual to find fossils of their rarity in such an amazing state of natural preservation.” In addition to the woolly mammoth tusks, there are fossils from a dyrosaurus skull, plagiolophus (three-toed horse), the claw of a paramylodon (giant sloth), and camptosaurus vertebrae. Several lots are stunning representations of fossilized marine life. Lot 81, a prehistoric slab with numerous starfish fossils, is estimated at $20,000-$25,000; while Lot 82 is a virtual wall of 28 Middle Jurrasic fossilized ammonites – so striking it could be mistaken for an artwork. A selling price is expected in the vicinity of $20,000-$25,000.

Bidders may participate in Artemis Gallery’s Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 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 will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern Time and will be conducted simultaneously on three bidding platforms: ArtemisGalleryLIVE.com, LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. For additional information about any item in the auction, call Teresa Dodge at 720-890-7700 or email teresa@artemisgallery.com. Visit Artemis Gallery online.