CHICAGO, IL.- Across two days, the recently rebranded Freeman’s Auction sold nearly $2.3 million worth of Antiquities and Ancient Art from its Chicago saleroom on November 19 and 21. The two days were spurred on by two remarkable estates – the Estate of Andrew Cunningham Ware (1945-2024) and the Estate of Iris Cornelia Love (1933-2020), New York – which sent the two sales well past its $1.5 million estimate.

Iris Cornelia Love: Indiana Jones in a Miniskirt

Archaeologist and collector Iris Cornelia Love, described by The New York Times as “Indiana Jones in a miniskirt,” led excavations at Knidos and Samothrace and was among the first women to receive Turkish excavation permits. A charismatic scholar and cultural figure, Love brought ancient art to life for new audiences.

Her collection, portions of which were on long-term loan to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum for over three decades, demonstrates her extraordinary connoisseurship and deep personal engagement with classical antiquity.

The highlight of the collection was a Roman marble oscillum, circa 1st century A.D., which soared past its presale estimate of $6,000 to $8,000 before selling for $35,200 (lot 197)

Andrew Cunningham Ware: When Scholarly Pursuits Meet Passion

The Ware Estate began the November 19 sale and set the tone for the day, selling over 96% while besting its presale estimate by nearly $100,000.

A devoted Egyptologist and student of Christiane Desroches Noblecourt, Andrew C. Ware assembled a collection that united intellectual rigor with personal passion. His works—many held privately for decades—reflected both his academic pursuits and family legacy, offering fresh insight into Egypt’s artistic and spiritual traditions.

Bidders clearly were excited at the prospect of adding pieces with such distinguished provenance to their own collections. The top lot of the collection was the very first lot offered: an Egyptian steatite base of a commemorative scarab of Amenhotep III from the New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, circa 1380 B.C., which sold for more than nine times its estimate achieving a price of $28,160 (lot 1). Reputedly found in Memphis, this important "lake scarab" records the building of a pleasure lake for Queen Tiy at Djaroukha.

Regality in Miniature

The biggest sale price across the two days ironically went to one of the smallest objects offered. Standing at just seven inches high, The Gréau Goddess, a Roman bronze statuette of Juno from circa 1st century B.C. (lot 91), more than doubled its presale estimate selling for $165,600. A masterful example of early Imperial eclecticism, the statuette demonstrated the remarkable fluidity with which Roman artists adapted centuries-old styles and formats, while creating aspects of movement and mood not displayed by potential prototypes. This statuette caused a sensation in late 19th-century Paris among an educated public that appreciated such nuance and has been exhibited frequently since.

Other Highlights

The auction featured a number of highlights sourced from private collection across the country.

• Lot 77 | An Over-Lifesized Roman Marble Torso
Circa 2nd Century A.D.
SOLD FOR $152,900

• Lot 124 | A Roman Marble Archaistic Head of a Goddess
Circa 1st Century A.D.
SOLD FOR $121,150

• Lot 36 | An Egyptian Painted Limestone Noblewoman
Old Kingdom, 5th-6th Dynasty, 2465-2150 B.C.
SOLD FOR $102,100

• Lot 42 | An Egyptian Bronze Lion-Headed Goddess and Obelisk
Late Period, 26th-30th Dynasty, 664-343 B.C.
SOLD FOR $102,100