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THBAchaemenid Silver Bull Head Finial - 234.6 grams
Lot 95b
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$3,000 - $5,000
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| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Feb 21, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-02-21 10:00:00
2019-02-21 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-3858
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (472)
- Lot Description
Ancient Near East, Achaemenid, 1st millennium BCE. A magnificent and quite hefty cast solid silver (82% silver) bull head finial, the bovine's visage presented facing forward with large circular eyes - the recesses of which appear to have been gilded or inlaid with gold - a pronounced snout with flaring nostrils that may have contained inlays as well, small ears jutting outward with small recesses that also may have contained inlays, and curved horns pointed toward one another above. The bovine's body is handsomely adorned by incised inverted chevron motifs on the front and back - and slightly arched striations on the sides. Ancient Greek writers described the Persians' impressive use of precious metals as a splendiferous display of wealth. To quote Herodotus when speaking of Xerxes' troops, they "were adorned with the greatest magnificence …. They glittered all over with gold, vast quantities of which they wore about their persons." (Vii. 83). Size: 2.375" H (6 cm); 3.125" H (7.9 cm) on included custom stand. Weight: 234.6 grams (just over a half pound!)
Visual culture featuring the bull abounded during the Achaemenid Period. In fact, the ceremonial capital of Persepolis built by Darius included capitals that were decorated with the heads of lions, griffins, and bulls carved in the round.
The Achaemenid Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE (including Iran, Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt, Asia Minor, Central Asia, Caucasus, Thrace and some parts of India) is generally regarded as one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world. Its capital, Pasargadae, was Cyrus the Great's final resting place and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To demonstrate the Achaemenid Empire's love of gold, associates of Alexander the Great in accounts of a tomb in Pasargadae, described a golden sarcophagus, necklaces, and gold gemstone earrings. The tomb is located in Pasargadae, in the garden of a royal palace where an ensemble of artifacts known as the Pasargadae Treasure - including various articles of gold and silver, jewelry and gemstones - were found in a ceramic amphora.
Follow this link for an example of a bull's head column capital from the Achaemenid period at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/324025
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Frances Artuner Collection, Belgium, acquired in the 1960s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#143618There appear to be remains of gilding or gold inlays in eyes. Possible inlays once in nostrils and ears. Recession below as this is a finial. Generally intact and excellent. Silver has developed a beautiful age patina.Condition
- Shipping Info
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