Premier ancient art and antiquities from estate of lifelong British collector a featured highlight of TimeLine's auction
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Friday, September 5, 2025


Premier ancient art and antiquities from estate of lifelong British collector a featured highlight of TimeLine's auction
Extremely fine Roman marble portrait bust of an aristocratic woman, Julio-Claudian Period, circa 50-60 A.D. Dignified expression, hair arranged in tight curls with small braids gathered and tied at the back. Height: 43.5cm inclusive of custom stand. Distinguished line of European provenance. Published in several old references. Accompanied by academic report from Dr. Raffaele D’Amato. Estimate: £30,000-£40,000/$40,190-$53,580.



ESSEX.- Britain’s TimeLine Auctions, whose specialists are globally renowned for their expertise in fine antiquities, will host a fully-curated five-day sale of ancient art and relics, natural history rarities and premier ancient coins starting Tuesday, September 9 and concluding on Saturday, September 13, 2025. All lots appearing in the lavishly illustrated hardcover catalogue are from the September 9 live gallery session. Auction entries from all five days may be viewed in their entirety online or in the company’s printed PDF catalogues, which include authoritative descriptions and multiple photographic views of each item.



The sale is highlighted by Part I of the premier estate collection of the late John P Meredith, a lifelong collector and antiquities connoisseur from Cornwall, England. Numbering more than 400 items in total, the widely-varied assemblage includes Egyptian, Medieval, Greek, Near Eastern, Western Asiatic and Indus Valley antiquities, as well as extraordinary mineral specimens and a world-class specialty collection of ancient Celtic coins.

According to his family, Mr Meredith started collecting in the 1990s. “Multiple generations of his family were influenced by his passion for historical objects, including his grandchildren. Whenever they visited, they would make a beeline to see his collection, which he proudly displayed in glass cabinets. He would enthusiastically discuss the history of the collection with the youngsters, which surely made a positive impression,” said Aaron Hammond, chief operating officer of TimeLine Auctions.

An outstanding selection of fresh-to-market pieces from history’s most celebrated cultures has been reserved for the September 9 opening session, including many superb examples of ancient statuary that pay tribute to actual historical and noble figures.



The tradition of immortalizing dignitaries in marble and other prized materials has been embraced by cultures throughout history. In ancient Rome, military heroes or nobles were frequently chosen as subjects for major statuary. A fine example of this form of homage is seen in the auction’s twice-life-size white marble portrait of Emperor Hadrian, one of Rome’s greatest emperors and the builder of Hadrian’s Wall in England. Created 126-140 AD, during the Hadrianic Period, this characteristic portrait of Hadrian shows his hair arranged in wavy strands swept forward from the crown and terminating in a row of lively curls that frame his forehead and temples. He sports a thick, curly beard – unusual for Hadrian’s time – and has a thoughtful expression on his face. The attitude of his head suggests the portrait once belonged to a full-length statue or to a bust. Its provenance can be traced to a February 1988 purchase on the Swiss art market. Most recently, it was part of a Liechtenstein private collection. The artwork is estimated at £80,000-£100,000/$107,160-$133,950 and will convey with an academic report from Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

An extremely fine Roman marble portrait bust of an aristocratic woman from the Julio-Claudian Period, circa 50-60 AD, depicts the sitter with a dignified expression, and her hair arranged in tight curls with small braids gathered and tied at the back. This artwork has a distinguished line of European provenance dating back to its pre-1910 acquisition by Professor Elia Volpi (1858-1938) in Florence, Italy. Most recently, it was sold at Hindman (Chicago) on May 25, 2023. Published in several old references, the bust will convey to its next owner with an academic report from Dr D’Amato. Estimate: £30,000-£40,000/$40,190-$53,580

Certainly one of the most fascinating pieces in the auction is an Egyptian limestone bas-relief panel depicting Ptah (patron deity of craftsmen and architects) presiding over the smelting of metals. From the Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty, 2498-2345 BC, it is one of the earliest known depictions of ancient technology. Three male figures are shown in tied kilts and short hairstyles, preparing to smelt copper. Two of them are carrying a small furnace. Finely-rendered hieroglyphic inscriptions in front of each figure record a dialogue whose translated commentary includes “Ptah could not have done better” and “Ptah loves him to pour into the brazier of the flame,” etc. It is comparable to an example illustrated in W.C. Hayes’ The Scepter of Egypt which is described as having come from the tomb of Re-em-kuy. Its provenance includes Touric Arakji (Hamburg, Germany), acquired by circa 1980; Sotheby’s June 8, 1994 auction; and subsequent London gallery and private collections. Accompanied by academic report from Egyptologist Sylvie Caroff, it is estimated at £80,000-£100,000/$107,160-$133,950.



An Assyrian gypsum relief prominently featuring the head of a bearded man dates to 704-681 BC. Rectangular in shape, it is a frieze fragment of a type that once decorated the walls of royal palaces. The low-relief carving depicts a man in profile with short, straight hair confined by a brow-band, with segmented curls forming his beard. A handwritten label on verso reads: “from the Koyunjik palace of Sennacherib at Nineveh.” The incised legend says “KOUUNJIK” and “A.” its line of provenance begins with acquisition in the 1970s by a British gentleman and culminates most recently (2009) in a private European collection. With its custom stand, it is offered with an £8,000-£10,000/$10,720-$13,400 estimate.



Another Near Eastern treasure is a museum-quality Mesopotamian bronze torch bearer from the Early Dynastic Period II, mid 3rd Millennium BC. Linked to early ritual and ceremonial use, it portrays a bull standing with firmly-planted splayed legs, its tail extending to the ground, with an extended stem whose purpose was to secure a torch. The stem is adorned with three radiating feline figures, each supporting a post with a gusseted ring above. This spectacular bronze is similar to several book examples, as well as to a specimen with an ibex support in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection. Accompanied by an academic report from Dr D’Amato, it has been assigned a £70,000-£90,000/$93,770-$120,560 estimate.



Armor & Militaria is a consistently popular category with TimeLine’s buyers. The September 9 session does not disappoint with enticing entries such as a rare and important bronze legionary-army helmet from the Roman Imperial period, late 1st century BC to early 1st century AD. Described as being an “Imperial Gallic” type of helmet with a deep rounded bowl, C-shape cutouts for the ears, flared horizontal neck-guard, bronze rivets and four corrugated embossed “wings,” this relatively heavy example at 1.03kg (2lbs 4oz) is further enhanced by an embossed, beaded brow band that runs from one ear opening to the other. Most recently the property of a North London gentleman, it comes with a custom stand and an academic report from Dr D’Amato. Estimate: £20,000-£30,000/$26,790-$40,190



Nothing can rival ancient jewelry for sheer beauty and workmanship, as seen in a magnificent matched pair of Javanese gold zoomorphic ear ornaments made sometime between 1293 and 1530 AD. Of a highly-domed design, each displays a front-facing head of Garuda, the eagle-headed Vahana or celestial mount of Vishnu; is hollow-formed and exquisitely worked in repousse with a nimbate figure emerging from dense field of intricate floral motifs. Each is adorned on the reverse with the image of a repousse monkey. Pictured in J Polak’s 2022 reference Ancient Indonesian Gold of the Central and Eastern Javanese Periods, 750-1550, its long line of provenance can be traced back to a 1920s acquisition by a Dutch civil servant who took them to the Netherlands in 1939. Later, the pair was acquired by collector Frans H A Claessen, with subsequent descent through his family. Next, the ornaments became the property of a Hong Kong private collector and, most recently, they joined a London private collection. With a custom case, they are offered with a £40,000-£60,000/$53,580-$80,370 auction estimate.

TimeLine’s Sept. 9-13, 2025 auction will be held live at the company’s head office located at The Court House, 363 Main Rd., Harwich, Essex CO12 4DN, UK. All lots featured in TimeLine’s hardcover catalogue will be auctioned during the September 9 opening session. Internet bidders may pre-register online. Goods may be previewed in person at the gallery by prior arrangement only. A special London viewing and champagne reception will be held at The Institute of Directors, 116 Pall Mall, St James’s, on Tuesday, September 2. Preview hours are 12 noon to 6pm, with the reception from 6-9pm and a talk by Kassia St Clair titled “Tyrian Purple: The Colour of Power” at 7:30pm. Additional viewing at The Institute will follow on Wednesday, September 3 from 9am-12 noon.

Auction start time: 7am US Eastern time/12 noon GMT. All remote forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, by phone (please book phone line 48 hours ahead of time), or live via the Internet through TimeLine’s bidding platform or LiveAuctioneers. TimeLine Auctions accepts payments in GBP and ships worldwide. Questions: call +44 7494 866514 or email Aaron Hammond at ah@timelineauctions.com. Online: https://timelineauctions.com.










Today's News

September 5, 2025

Claire Oliver Gallery announces solo exhibition by artist BK Adams, Territorial

Premier ancient art and antiquities from estate of lifelong British collector a featured highlight of TimeLine's auction

New exhibition explores the foundational work of Bernd and Hilla Becher

Picasso's arresting portrait of Dora Maar to highlight Christie's Hong Kong Evening Sale

Robert Grosvenor, influential figure in postwar sculpture, dies at age 88

Christie's to present Spellbound - The Hegewisch Collection during its 20/21 Marquee Week in October 2025

Baltimore Museum of Art to open "Amy Sherald: American Sublime" in November

The UK's best architecture - RIBA Stirling Prize 2025 shortlist announced

Galerie Julian Sander explores the life and work of photographer Lisette Model

The Prado's masterpieces get a fresh, blue backdrop

MASSIMODECARLO Pièce Unique inaugurates its back to school program in Paris with Iva Lulashi

30x30: Jane Lombard Gallery celebrates a three-decade legacy of visionary art

Vancouver Art Gallery receives significant gift of artwork

Pioneering artist Diana Thater to receive ArtCenter's 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

Artcurial celebrates the 100th anniversary of Philippe Hiquily

Städel Museum highlights Asta Gröting's intimate video art

Myth and modernity: María Berrío's new works unfold at Hauser & Wirth

Kiang Malingue announces the representation of Tseng Chien-Ying

Hotel Metropole to present Tony Cragg "Fragile Nature" during Venice Glass Week

Tokyo Arts and Space presents TOKAS Project Vol. 8: Entangled Protocol and the Flowing Edge

Capturing a nation: A major retrospective of Dirk Reinartz arrives in Erfurt

Mazzoleni London celebrates Albisola's artistic legacy ahead of its 40th anniversary

Christie's will offer the Au Bak Ling Collection Volume II

New exhibition explores Mongolian landscapes and human absence

Christie's announces Il Senso Del Colore - Works from the Alessandro Grassi Collection




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 




Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)


Editor: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful