Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 35

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Antiquities

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 897		Mesomphalic Bowl of Wrought Bronze or Copper Sheet. Greek Eastern Mediterranean or Asia Minor, c. 500-300 BC. Dish with rounded bowl, constricted neck, and everted rim, and with chased design of drop shapes arranged to resemble a rosette encircled by a starburst. A center, domed omphalos rises. Dish well preserved with dark green patina; a few tiny holes scattered about, where the deep chasing had overly thinned the metal in antiquity. Width: 6-1/2". An artistic and affordable version of like bowls seen in silver. Estimated Value $550 - 750. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 898		Small Mesomphalic Bowl of Cast Bronze. Greek Eastern Mediterranean or Asia Minor, c. 500-300 BC. A charming miniature version of the previous lot, but with radiating petal-like ribs on the bottom. Some local decorative enhancements of zigzags and circle-dots added perhaps in Byzantine times. In nice condition, with black-green and earthen patina. Width: 2-5/8". Estimated Value $350 - 450. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 899		A Delightful Greek Gold and Garnet Strap Necklace. Hellenistic Greece, c. 3rd-2nd century BC. Composed of a length of figure-eight loop-in-loop chain from which are suspended twenty teardrop-shaped gold framed pendants with granulation, each set with a drop-shaped cabochon garnet gem. The ancient necklace has been lengthened by a modern chain which is removable. Length: 9-1/4" (16.5 g). A choice work of jewelry; an airy and delicate concoction which undoubtedly graced the neck of some royal lady of the court. Estimated Value $7,000 - 9,000. This necklace is reflective of the conservative, monochromatic traditions of Greek jewelry even after Alexander's conquests re-energized the decorative arts with exotic new materials, colorful stones, and foreign and different treatments of goldwork. The deep, rich red garnets from places like Turkey and India remained among the most popular gem stone for well over a century and a half. Christies NY, Ancient Jewelry (12-9-2004), lot 120; previously, in a New England estate. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 900		Ancient European Gold Fibula. Thrace or Donau Region, c. 4th-2nd century BC. Wrought from one continuous length of tapered gold bar, with straight pin, swelling arched body, integral catch plate, and twisted tapered finial. Piece finely preserved and complete. Length: 2-1/8" (7.4 g). A rare and handsome object, at home both as an antiquity and an exemplar of functional design. Probably La Tène culture. Estimated Value $1,150 - 1,450. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 901		Another European Gold Fibula. Thrace or Donau Region, c. 6th-4th century BC. Wrought from one continuous length of tapered gold bar like preceding lot, but smaller yet equally robust. This fibula with simpler terminal, resembling an upright square bar. Piece also finely preserved and complete. Length: 1-1/4" (4.4 g). Again, probably La Tène culture. Estimated Value $750 - 950. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 902		Impressive Bronze Lamp with Theatrical Masquette. Graeco-Roman, Late 1st century BC. - 1st century AD. Finely crafted lamp of near monumental size, on short conical foot. The spout spatulate but rounded, the top sunken and forming a continuous trough between nozzle and the grape cluster-shaped fill-hole. Crowning the c-curve handle is a wonderful theatrical-type female mask, almost Etruscan-looking in appearance -- with long corkscrew curls, "tri-corn cap," and supporting palmette beneath chin. In superb condition, with handsome green and dark olive-gray patina. Length: 9"; Height: 7". Cf. Mitten & Doeringer, Master Bronzes, p. 298, no. 297. A museum quality artifact! Estimated Value $6,500 - 8,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $8,625
Lot 903		A Rugged Little Lamp in Bronze. Roman, early 1st century AD. Small, but of substantial weight, the lamp with long, channeled nozzle, on ring foot with circular moulding, and a ring handle with crescent-shaped thumb rest. Lamp said to be from Judaea, of neat workmanship, with only simple circular ornament. Intact, with modest wear; with dark green to blackish patina. Length: 5-3/8"; with custom base. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 904		Very Important Cavalry Parade Mask, in Brass. Roman Empire, c. late 1st century BC. to 1st century AD. The stylized face with eye, nostril and mouth openings. The cheeks decorated with turned spiral decoration (perhaps solar images), along with ornate stylized pattern of archs around the edges. The remains of hinge for attachment to helmet at the brow. Repairs, with museum grade, nearly invisible restorations at edges. Height: 5-3/4". A compelling visage. The rarest and most intriguing form of ancient armor. Estimated Value $30,000 - 40,000. Published: H. Born and M. Junkelmann, "Romische Kampf - und Turnierrustungen: Sammlung Axel Guttmann," VI, Mainz, 1997, pp.16-17, 81-84, 174-175, 166, pls.VI, 7, 8, 66 and 101 (AG 369); and M. Junkelmann, "Reiter wie Statuen aus Erz," Mainz, 1996, p.93, O89. Certainly one of the more exotic pieces of the Roman soldier's armor, to modern eyes, was the face helmet. With a normal but often amplified helmet, plus the flip down face mask, this construction generally encased the head completely. Of this ornate, specialized type of armor some 120 examples are known. They have been encountered in various archaeological sites, dating from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD., in locales ranging from Scotland to Syria. The faces themselves are often those of idealized youths, and some whose gender is less secure, while a few are assuredly portraits of women. If all the wearers are assumed to be men, then this raises interesting questions within the context of Rome's, aggressive, military-dominant society - especially since masks in modern day psychological literature are accepted as surrogates for the head, and one's likeness itself. Thus, they transfigure the wearer, allowing him to transcend his personal, regular identity. In any event, they add a compelling and intriguing cast to a society, as Rome was, where violence became aestheticized, and thence one more aspect of theater in general. Axel Guttmann Museum Collection, Germany. Acquired in 1991, Zurich, Switzerland. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $37,950
Lot 905		Superb Bronze Statuette of Fortuna-Tyche. Roman Empire, c. 1st Century AD. The standing Roman goddess of "Fortune" and the Greek goddess and protector of Cities, "Tyche", wearing chiton and himation, a diadem in her bound hair, holding patera in her outstretched right hand and a large cornucopia in her left, her eyes with silvered corneas and pupils recessed for inlay. In choice preservation, with mostly dark green patina. Height: 5"; on custom base. A delightful work of art -- the modeling sure and elegant, the incised details neat. Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000. Christies London (4-28-2004), lot 257: European private collection, 1973-1982. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 906		Important Inscribed Roman Bronze Cavalry Parade Tondo, for a War Shield. Eastern Roman Empire, c. late 1st - 2nd century. The bronze sheet worked with a high relief facing head of a plumpish woman, her hair arranged into high corkscrews (a Celticised Medusa?), with a ornate border of arabesques around, the fields with dot-punched texturing, and pierced four times for attachment. Towards the edge, a dot-punched inscription: "GFELICIANA VALMARCVS." With negligible museum grade patch on the reverse towards the edge, piece exceptionally preserved with handsome dark green and brown patina. Diameter: 9-5/8". Rare! Estimated Value $13,500 - 18,500. Axel Guttmann Museum Collection, Germany. Published: M. Junkelmann, "Romishe Helme: Sammlung Axel Guttmann," VIII, Mainz, 2000, p. 203, pls. 112 and XXIV (AG 808), discussing the possible ownership inscription to be read as: "Aulus Val…. Marcus [serving in the unit of] Gaius Felic…. Ian…." A rare central section of a shield comparable to the styles of Mask Helmets from Silistra (a Roman fortress town established in what is now northern Bulgaria), in the Donau region. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $16,100
Lot 907		Roman Diadem: a Laurel Wreath in Gold. Rome, c. 1st -2nd century AD. The venerable design of the gold laurel wreath -- worn by gods, kings and officials, as well as Olympic Heroes -- seen here as three-pointed hand-cut sheet gold leaves with perforations for attachment and grooved veining to the leaves. Remounted for display. The delicate leaves well-preserved, with red and brown patina. Length: 10-3/8". Attractive and rare. Estimated Value $3,500 - 5,500. Axel Guttmann Collection, Germany. Acquired from a German private collection, 1969. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $4,370
Lot 908		Handsome Pair of Ornate Amphora-shaped Gold Earrings. East Roman, c. 2nd-3rd century AD. The ovoid bodies of the earrings hollow, and fenestrated, and lined with twisted wire and granulation ornament. Encircling the lower halves are rings set with pomegranate-shaped pendants, and probably a central one at each vessel's base (now missing). These intricate and delicate creations very well preserved; the narrow suspension loops modern replacements. Height: 2" (6.9 g). Choice, and still wearable ancient jewelry. Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 909		A Remarkable Roman Amulet in Bronze. Roman empire, c. 2nd-3rd century AD. The amulet of an elongated phallus. Intact and perfect, with slightly crusty brown and green patina. Length: 3". Rare in this size -- a little awkward as a personal ornament; perhaps from a tintinabulum-like construct. Estimated Value $350 - 550. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $460
Lot 910		A Handsome Group of Seven Bronze Figural Appliques. Roman Empire, c. 2nd-3rd century AD. Comprised of three paired facing heads, and a single facing bust. The bust and two heads being Tyche, with crenellated crown -- on two, the crowns with openings for loop handles. Two larger heads are those of a female theater mask -- these with deeply sunk eye sockets for inlays. Lastly, two small satyr or Pan faces, with goat-like wattles along the jaw. All well preserved, with handsome deep green, untouched patina. Heights: 1-1/4" - 4". A choice group! Lot of 7 items. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,400
Lot 911		Rare and Choice Bronze Military Phalera with "Lion attacking a Bull" Motif. Eastern Roman Empire, c. 3rd century AD. The bronze cast circular disc for a breast plate, depicting the most venerable of ancient motifs, that of a lion pouncing on the back of a bull. The animals on the domed central boss, modeled in high relief, with details enhanced by chasing. Rope border around and toothed edge to the disc. Attractively preserved with red, brown, and green patina. Width: 4-3/8". Estimated Value $4,500 - 6,500. Provenance: Axel Guttmann Museum Collection, Germany; acquired between 1989 and 1992, from the "Rhineland." Phalerae were generally circular plaques of various materials, serving as military awards, and could be placed either on the soldiers armor or attached to the harness equipment of his horse. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 912		Applique Bust of a Child, in Bronze. Roman Empire, c. 3rd century AD. An applique or fitting, of good size, modeled as the bust of a clothed child frontal, head towards the side. He is cradling an object with his garment in one hand, and resting something else against his other shoulder. Boldly, yet carefully sculpted, the child with enormous eyes, and exceptionally well detailed hair. Piece with modest wear, with dark green patina, having some brown encrustations. Height: 5". A very fine late Roman bronze. Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,750. Cf. the bronze head of a child, in Sothebys London (12-9-85), lot 114, perhaps the same workshop. The child seen above is likely a representation of one of the Horai -- the four seasons depicted as children. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,380
Lot 913		Attractive Ribbed, Cast Bowl, in Aqua Glass. Roman Syria, early 1st century AD. A rather thick-walled bowl, made by casting, rather than blowing, which features an exterior with "fire polish" and an interior that is finished by lapidary techniques. A less common type, with short ribs only along the upper outside wall. The interior with three incised concentric circles at the tondo. Intact and absolutely free of typical cracks. Some slight, cleanable dirt, with pleasing transparent iridescence in fine greens, blues and violets. Width: 6-1/8". An excellent early glass. Estimated Value $900 - 1,400. Cf. Harden, "Glass of the Caesars," no. 26, in aubergine glass; Sammlung Oppenlander, nos. 255, 256. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,380
Lot 914		Choice Green Unguentarium. Roman, 1st to 2nd century AD. Of good size and blown in a fairly thick light green glass, this robust bottle has everted flange-like rim, a cylinder neck and piriform body. Intact and perfect, with thick crust-like iridescence ranging from shimmering blues, greens, lime, rust to coppery pink, but all within a golden matrix. Height: 7-1/4". Wonderfully colorful, without being strident -- a veritable "moonscape" of fascinating hues! Estimated Value $650 - 950. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $805
Lot 915		Substantial Balsamarium with Flashy Iridescence. Roman, 1st-2nd century AD. Blown from a thick medium-deep green glass, the bottle with small piriform body, cylindrical neck, and flat, disc-like rim. The exterior with variegated patina-iridescence, with color patches of peacock brilliance. Height: 4-3/8". Nice. Estimated Value $275 - 375. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 916		Lot of Three Piriform Unguentaria, in Green and Aqua Glass. Roman Syria or Palestine, c. 1st-2nd century AD. All of same type, and like construction, but of varying proportions. One bottle quite thick and robust. All intact and perfect. Two with earthen deposits or crusty patina, and another with even, thin silvery iridescence, but all show transparent blues, greens, and reds, and occasional intense colors. Heights: 4-5/8" - 5-3/4". Lot of 3 items. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $288
Lot 917		Lot of Three Glass Vials of Differing Shapes. Roman Syria or Palestine, c. 1st-3rd century AD. Largest narrowly proportioned piriform bottle in medium to deep green glass, with patchy areas of superb, brightly colored iridescence. Another, smaller in aqua, with almost bag-like shape, with more subdued iridescence. Last a bottle with globular body, with silvery gray to blackish patina, with underlying iridescence of brilliant silver to softer variegated coloring. All intact, two with custom stands. Heights: 3-3/8" - 4-1/2". A handsome lot. Lot of 3 items. Estimated Value $350 - 550. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $288
Lot 918		Attractive Pair of Slim Unguentariums. Roman Syria, c. 1st-2nd century AD. Virtually a matched pair, with small drop-shaped bodied, faintly pinched necks, and flat rims, the vials of slightly different green glass. Both richly encrusted with silvery iridescence -- one tending to gold, the other blue, each with areas of intense color. Both intact and perfect, each with custom display case. Heights: 6"; 5-7/8". A good lot. Lot of 2 items. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $242
Lot 919		Square-bodied Jug in Green. Roman, c. 2nd century AD. Mold-blown jug in light green glass, with short cylinder neck and thick flattened rim, and ridged, trailed handle at one side. One lower corner has been restored to match the bottle's crusty, earthen patina. Walls, neck and handle show areas of sometimes vivid green, violet, red, lime, and indigo iridescence. Square-sided bottles remain a less common form in ancient glass. Height: 4-3/4". Estimated Value $350 - 450. Cf. Wolkenburg Collection, Christies' London, 7/9/91, lot 71a. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 920		An Impressive Large Pitcher in Green Glass. Roman, 2nd-3rd century AD. The pitcher free blown, with the body of broad drop-shape, on folded high foot. The vessel's neck narrow while the mouth, wide and funnel-like, has been folded to form a narrow channel. At back, a wide combed handle with folded thumbrest. There are decorative trailed rings at the neck and below the rim. Modest repair to a small part of the vessel's shoulder, otherwise this large piece is superb, with magnificent iridescence -- ranging from silvery to green, with subtle blues, magentas, and violets. Height: 8-3/4". The vessel robust, lovely, and remarkably preserved for its size -- thus rare! Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,500. Cf. Hermitage Coll., no. 272. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 921		Unusual Sprinkler Flask. Roman Syria, 3rd to 4th century AD. Blown in heavy leaf-green glass, this piece has a wide funnel mouth with folded throat, a short flaring neck with interior diaphragm, and ovoid body resting on six pinched feet of mixed green and blue color. Also blue trailed handles at the side, and a notched bluish ring encircles the neck. Intact and apparently perfect, with silvery to mottled magenta and green iridescence, with areas of intense color. Well made and robust. Height: 4". This a rare variant to the usual sprinkler flasks. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,450. Cf. Sammlung Oppenlander, no. 694, but with mere pimples for feet. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,495
Lot 922		Finely Iridescent Flagon. Roman, c. 3rd to 4th century AD. Blown in pale green glass, with a flared and folded rim to funnel mouth, a narrow neck, and sloping shoulders on cylindrical body. A heavy trailed ring of glass has been applied under the rim. A narrow ridged and folded handle at one side. Intact and very fine. The age-etched surfaces with delightful iridescence in mellow and warm hues of red, gold, and rose, with accents of violet and green.Height: 3-5/8". Estimated Value $350 - 450. Cf. Hayes, ROM, no. 425. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 923		Group of Three Roman-style Glass Bottles. Apparently a craftsman's experiments in the technique of Roman glassmaking, this "homage" quite successful in capturing the feel of the originals. Typical types seen here are two juglets, one with trefoil mouth, and a "bag-shaped" perfume sprinkler. Largest: 4-1/2". Colorful. Lot of 3 items. Estimated Value $100 - 175. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $201
Lot 924		Roman Redware Lamp with "Chi-Rho" Christian Symbol and Rooster. Roman North Africa, Egypt or Carthage, c. 3rd-4th Century. Lamp with ovoid body and shorter nozzle, connecting to discus by trough. Motif: Rooster stands right, on small globular object; floral arabesques forming border. On the base, the maker's mark, a Chi-Rho, indicating the manufacturer was Christian. Finely preserved, with light soot stains. Length: 5-3/8". Interesting. Estimated Value $375 - 475. Early Christian symbolism is ambivalent toward the rooster. Because of the Gospel story in which the rooster crowed three times after Peter betrayed Jesus, the animal is usually considered a symbol of infidelity, especially in times of persecution. On the other hand, the rooster can represent the positive attribute of watchfulness or vigilance since it rises early in the morning. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 925		Attractive Redware Lamp. North Africa, c. end of 4th to mid 5th century AD. Lamp with fin-like handle, and sunken discus with rimmed trough adjoining spout. At discus, a palm tree of fifteen branches, borderd by raised concentric circles of varying sizes. Cf. Ennabli, Lampes Chrétiennes, no. 771. Well-molded, with sharp details. Lamp intact, with only light use -- showing a little roughness on one side, and a bit of soot staining at the nozzel. Length: 5-3/4", on custom stand. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 926		Two Large and Handsome Fragments of Carthaginian Fine Redware. Roman Carthage, c. 4th-6th century AD. The pieces are tondos from two different plates, both well potted and of fine red color. Each decoratively impressed with a pair of central Chi-Rho's, one with a charming border of little lambs, the beaded drop shapes. Width of largest: 5-7/8". Attractive early Christian handicraft. Lot of 2 items. Estimated Value $450 - 750. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 927		Two More Fragments of Carthaginian Fine Redware. Roman Carthage, c. 4th-6th century AD. Again two more tondo pieces from two different plates, similar to previous lot. Each impressed with ornate Chi-Rho's. Height of largest: 6". Nice examples. Lot of 2 items. Estimated Value $350 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 928		Three More Fragments of Carthaginian Fine Redware. Roman Carthage, c. 4th-6th century AD. Again pieces impressed with Chi-Rho's, two different plates employing the same stamp. The two smaller fragments of exceptionally bright redware. Width of largest: 5-3/4". Nice examples. Lot of 3 items. Estimated Value $450 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 929		Simple and Elegant Byzantine Gold Necklace. Byzantine Empire, c. 6th century AD. Pendant an oval plaque with double-ribbed loop, showing a cross moline before a saltire nimbus; the edged lined with beaded and twisted wire border. The pendant hangs from a double loop-in-loop chain, with hooked and twisted wire closures. Length: 17-3/4" (15.2 g). Beautifully preserved, the necklace is a wonderful, and wearable, precious work from antiquity. Estimated Value $6,500 - 10,500. For a related necklace, see Bank, "L'Art Byzantin dans les musees de l'Union Sovietique," nos. 93-94. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $8,625
Lot 930		Small Antiquity Lot. Near East, c. 200-1250 AD. Oldest a Palestinian type lamp, unadorned, and used, found at Petra, and purchased there in 1979. Next the incised bronze front sheet from a reliquary cross; Byzantine, c. 10th century. With saint or apostle in orant pose. Purchased in Urgup, turkey in 1979. Last, a Seljuk belt fitting with rosette/starburst ornament. Purchased Harcut, Turkey, in 1979. Items intact, in very good or better condition. Height of cross: 4-5/8". Lot of 3 items. Estimated Value $100 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 931		A Fine Buddhist Portrait of a Bodhisattva. Gandharan Northwest India, c. 150-250 AD. Carved in a micaceous gray schist, the head once part of a larger wall relief. The face with a meditative expression, arched eyebrows above heavy lidded eyes, aquiline nose, and gently smiling lips. With reddish soil patina. Mounted on base. Height of carving: 3-5/8". A handsome blending of Greek and Indian art. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $144

Page 2 of 2

1 | 2