BOULDER, COLO.- Artemis Fine Arts will open its much-anticipated Variety Sale: Ethno, Ancient, Fine Art on November 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM (GMT-6), presenting a sweeping selection of cultural treasures sourced from across the ancient world. The auction brings together artifacts from Pre-Columbian, Native American, Tribal, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, and Asian traditions, complemented by fine and visual art offerings. All antiquities have been legally acquired, fully compliant with U.S. cultural patrimony laws, with in-house shipping and certificates of authenticity provided to all winning bidders.


Monumental Toltec Volcanic Stone Head, Incised Headdress. Estimate $3,600-$5,400.

One of the marquee highlights is a Monumental Toltec Volcanic Stone Head from southern Mexico, dating from ca. 900–1200 CE. Estimated at $3,600–$5,400, this powerful sculptural fragment embodies the commanding presence and stylized iconography characteristic of Toltec ceremonial art. Carved from dense volcanic stone, the square-profiled head features deeply incised brow ridges, almond-shaped eyes, earspools, and a distinctive headdress banded with circular motifs above vertical fluting—possibly representing feathers or regalia linked to elite warrior cults. With origins tied to the architectural programs of centers such as Tula, the piece likely once crowned a larger structural element, its enduring expression echoing the ideological strength of Toltec statecraft. Its weathered patina reveals centuries of exposure yet preserves an aura of permanence and rarity within surviving Toltec figural works.


Published Guerrero Chontal Greenstone Effigy, Teotihuacan Influence. Estimate $2,200-$3,300.

Another standout is the Published Guerrero Chontal Greenstone Effigy showing Teotihuacan influence, estimated at $2,200–$3,300. Carved between ca. 300 BCE and 100 CE, this compact yet monumental figure exemplifies the bold abstraction and expressive lapidary tradition of Guerrero sculpture. The effigy’s oversized head, heavy brow, and slit-like eyes evoke an intense spiritual presence, heightened by the mottled greenstone’s natural veining. Areas of pitting on the torso may represent deliberate ritual “killing,” a practice meant to release an object’s sacred power. Notably, the sculpture was exhibited and published in the 2024 UT Permian Basin exhibition Echoes of Eternity, adding scholarly significance and a distinguished provenance extending to mid-20th-century collections.


Nazca Polychrome Bowl w/ Geometric Motifs, TL Tested. Estimate $800-$1,200.

A finely painted Nazca Polychrome Bowl, TL-tested and authenticated by Kotalla Laboratory, offers bidders an exquisite example of South Coast Peruvian ceramic artistry. Estimated at $1,000–$1,500, the bowl features a rhythmic exterior band of step-fret scrolls in red and black over a cream ground, embodying the precision and aesthetic balance for which Nazca polychrome vessels are celebrated. Its geometric design creates an energized visual cadence, contrasting with the undecorated interior—a testament to the interplay between functional form and ceremonial refinement in Nazca culture. With distinguished German and Colorado provenance, the piece represents a superb acquisition opportunity for collectors of ancient ceramics.


Nazca Camelid Bone Flute Carved with Bird Head. Estimate $1,000-$1,500.

Also offered is a rare Nazca Camelid Bone Flute Carved with a Bird Head, spanning the Paracas–Nazca traditions (ca. 800 BCE–800 CE). This 12-inch ritual instrument, estimated at $1,000–$1,500, displays a hooked, beak-like finial and three tone holes lined by finely incised borders. Likely used in ceremonies honoring fertility and cosmic cycles, the flute bridges artistry and sacred sound. Its tactile incisions may have served musical as well as symbolic functions, adding depth to an already compelling ritual artifact preserved with dark patina and mineral deposits.


Moche Pottery Portrait Vessel of a Nobleman. Estimate $700-$1,200.

Rounding out the highlights is a dignified Moche Pottery Portrait Vessel of a Nobleman, carrying an estimate of $700–$1,200. Modeled with striking naturalism, the nobleman’s face features high cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, a sculpted mustache, and a patterned headband signaling elite status. Circular earspools further affirm his rank within Moche society, famed for its unparalleled portrait ceramics. Traces of pigment and refined details attest to the vessel’s ceremonial use and the Moche commitment to individualized representation. With provenance extending to notable New York collections of the 1980s, the piece stands as an exceptional testament to ancient Peruvian portraiture.