Objects made for temples, games, personal prestige and ceremonial display take center stage in the September 16 auction presented by
Artemis Fine Arts
and Arte Primitivo. Spanning Egypt, Greece, Rome, Oceania, Africa and Asia, the selection demonstrates the extraordinary range of materials and traditions represented in the sale.
Egyptian Bronze Statue Crown with Ram Horn, Solar Disc and Gilt Uraeus
. Egypt, Late Period, ca. 700–30 BCE. Estimate: $10,000–$15,000.
Ancient recreation survives in
Lot 466, a group of 16 Egyptian faience senet game pieces
, estimated at $4,000–$6,000. Dating to the New Kingdom, the blue-green pieces are divided into two sets of different heights for opposing players in Egypt’s celebrated board game.
Religious symbolism takes an unusual form in
Lot 438, an Egyptian bronze Oxyrhynchus fish scepter finial
, estimated at $8,000–$10,000. Dating to ca. 712–30 BCE, the fish wears a uraeus diadem and rises above an open lotus retaining traces of stone inlay and pigment.
Māori carving is represented by
Lot 515, a 19th-century waka huia treasure box
, estimated at $6,000–$9,000. Its canoe-like wooden body is covered with carved geometric ornament and terminating tiki figures; boxes of this type protected valued ornaments and huia feathers belonging to people of rank.
Martial function meets elaborate decoration in
Lot 487, an Indo-Persian char-aina armor set
, estimated at $5,500–$6,500. Dating to the 19th century, the iron cuirass and arm guards retain chainmail and extensive gold-and-silver gilt decoration.
Masquerade and the spirit world converge in
Lot 585, an Igbo Okoroshi Agiriga horned mask from Nigeria
, estimated at $8,000–$12,000. Dating to ca. 1900–1960, its long angular horns identify Agiriga, a male spirit associated with masquerades honoring water spirits and seasonal rains.
The technical virtuosity of ancient Greek goldsmiths is evident in
Lot 390, a Magna Graecia gold fibula with shield-boss earrings
, estimated at $5,000–$6,500. Dating to ca. 500–400 BCE, the hollow bow is densely ornamented with minute granulation arranged in geometric patterns.
Hindu religious imagery appears in
Lot 542, a Majapahit bronze trishula associated with Shiva
, estimated at $3,500–$4,500. Made in Java around 1100–1200 CE, the three-pronged trident symbolizes the three gunas and was likely mounted on a staff as temple or processional regalia.
Roman mythology is captured in
Lot 394, a matched pair of bronze appliqués showing Nereids riding hippocamps
, estimated at $5,000–$7,000. Dating to ca. 200 BCE–200 CE, the mirrored reliefs were probably designed to flank a central element on furniture, a vessel or another luxury object.
The group reaches Qing Dynasty China with
Lot 640, a carved wooden Daoist figure finished in oxblood lacquer
, estimated at $10,000–$15,000. Dating to ca. 1700–1799, the seated deity wears formal robes and a high lotus-crowned hat, reflecting the devotional sculpture once found in temples and household shrines.
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