BOULDER, COLO.- On Thursday, January 7, Artemis Gallery will conduct a 400-lot Ancient, Ethnographic & Religious Art auction featuring the estate collection of the late Michael Reiniger of Chicago. The widely varied collection amassed over many years includes classical antiquities, Pre-Columbian art, and both Russian and Spanish-colonial icons.

“Mr. Reiniger was an enthusiastic collector with an interest in many specialty categories, so there’s tremendous variety in this auction. Also, the level of quality is excellent throughout,” said Teresa Dodge, managing director of Artemis Gallery.

With a line of provenance that includes both the Reiniger estate and the collection of another noted Chicagoan, Harlan J. Berk, Lot 21 is an impressive circa 1st-2nd century CE Roman solid-cast bronze figure of Hercules. Standing in the quintessential contrapposto pose, with right hand on hip and left hand clutching a lion skin, this 5¼-inch figure probably served as a maquette for a larger statue of marble. Its auction estimate is $5,000-$7,000.

Lot 10, a Greek Paestan red-figure skyphos (wine cup), circa 400-350 BCE, depicts on one side a standing male in a toga leaning against his walking stick, and on the other side, a nude male in composite profile. A fine example painted to a very high standard, it is entered with an $1,800-$2,500 estimate.

Also from the Reiniger estate, Lot 89 is a circa-17th-18th century CE Russian icon of St. Nicholas of Myra, the Wonderworker. A faithful shepherd and bishop, St. Nicholas was canonized while still living because of his immense holiness and watchful care of his flock. In this icon, the saint’s robes, habit and holy book are skillfully carved in relief and finely painted. Measuring 14¼ by 9¾ inches, it is entered with a $3,000-$4,000 estimate. Another religious highlight, Lot 87A is a large and beautiful 18th/19th-century Russian oil-painted triptych of Jesus flanked by saints. Estimate: $1,500-$2,500.

Lot 55, a Byzantine alabaster and silver pendant with the bas-relief face of Jesus, dates to circa 13th-14th century CE. There are Cyrillic letters inscribed on His nimbus, and the carving is set within a rope-pattern frame accented by three pairs of small silver spheres. This fine antiquity is also a wearable piece of art. Estimate: $700-$900.

A stunning circa-15th-century CE Franco-Flemish illuminated manuscript, hand-painted on vellum, depicts the Annunciation on one side and has text on verso. The vibrant artwork portrays the moment when the Angel Gabriel told Mary, “You shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall give him the name Jesus.” Entered as lot 74, it is expected to make $3,000-$5,000.

A highlight of the Asian portion of the Reiniger collection is Lot 56A, a Chinese Han Dynasty terracotta hu. The attractively painted earthenware vessel stands 12¾ inches high and dates to circa 206 BCE to 220 CE. Estimate: $900-$1,200.

All items in the auction are unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic and to have been legally acquired. As an additional service to its customers, Artemis Gallery carefully packs all goods in-house to ensure a safe delivery.

Bidders may participate in Artemis Gallery’s Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 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.