Lots of new Byzantine coins added to site!

Hello! The updates keep coming. I just added a nice large group of inexpensive ancient Byzantine bronze coins to my site. Well, a couple are a bit pricey but most of them are really cheap. Check them out!

Ancient Resource: Newly Added Byzantine Bronze Coins

Thanks, as always, for your continued support!

Gabriel Vandervort
Ancient Resource
www.ancientresource.com

New addition: Amazing Athens silver tetradrachm in gold bezel

This just in! An absolutely amazing ancient Greek silver tetradrachm from the glory days of Athens, set in a beautiful 18-karat gold bezel.

Here's the info:
Ancient Greece. Attica. Athens, c. 454-404 BC. Silver "old-style" tetradrachm set in a custom 18-karat gold bezel. Head of Athena right, wearing crested helmet ornamented with olive leaves / Owl standing right, ΑΘΕ, olive sprig and crescent moon behind, all within incuse square. Coin reference: Kroll 8; SNG Copenhagen 31. 25 mm (1") diameter, weighs 21.43 grams!

Check it out on my site! Ancient Athens Greece Silver Tetradrachm in Gold Bezel

Until next time,
Gabriel Vandervort
Owner, Ancient Resource
www.AncientResource.com

Artifacts Auction #23 This Sunday. Just 2 Days Away!

Artifacts Auction #23 This Sunday. Just 2 Days Away!

Hello! Our artifacts auction is coming up this Sunday, August 25, 2013, at 11:00 AM PST. There are just 2 days left to leave absentee bids.

We will be hosting our auction on two platforms, LiveAuctioneers and Artfact, which we will be running simultaneously throughout the auction. Artfact enables you to leave absentee bids, and actually see where you stand with your bid prior to the auction, which LiveAuctioneers does not. Please make sure to read our terms of sale.   You can register and leave bids any time from now until the time the auction commences, and during the auction live bids can be placed as each lot comes up. I encourage you to get registered as a bidder as early as possible to avoid any holdups on auction day. We hope you can participate!  Also, you can look forward to another large auction full of great ancient pieces at the end of September! 

View the catalog on Liveauctioneers here!

View the catalog on Artfact here!

Thank you for your continued support!

Gabriel Vandervort

Owner, Ancient Resource, LLC

http://www.AncientResourceAuctions.com

New group of Shipwreck Coins just in!

I just got a killer group of nice silver shipwreck coins and Spanish copper "Pirate Money" cobs.
All well-provenanced, found in shipwrecks from Florida to the British Isles.
Check them out! Ancient Resource: Shipwreck Coins

Upcoming Artifacts Auction - Saturday, June 8th!

I'm pleased to announce that our next auction catalog is now online. Auction takes place on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at 11:00 AM PST. Many photos are still missing, and a few lots will be added, but these will be filled in shortly so keep checking the catalog for updates. This auction features a great selection of well-provenanced and authentic ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Near Eastern artifacts, and will be "Internet-only."

We will be hosting our auction on two platforms, LiveAuctioneers and Artfact.  You  can register and leave bids any time from now until the time the  auction commences, and during the auction live bids can be placed as  each lot comes up.

I encourage you to get registered as a bidder as  early as possible to avoid any holdups on  auction day. Or, feel free to  call or email me your absentee bids if you would  like me to execute them  during the auction... you get a 1% discount on the Buyer's Premium if you bid this way. We hope you can participate!

View the Auction Catalog on Liveauctioneers HERE!

View the Auction Catalog on Artfact HERE!

Mini-Artifacts Auction Sunday: Last Day to Leave Absentee Bids!

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Hello! 

This is the last day to register and leave absentee bids for tomorrow's auction,

taking place Sunday, May 5, at 11:00 AM PST. Many lots are still available at the

opening price.

No lot is priced over 300 Dollars and all can sell at the opening price!

We will be hosting our auction on two platforms, LiveAuctioneers and Artfact, which we will be running simultaneously throughout the auction. Artfact enables you to leave absentee bids, and actually see where you stand with your bid prior to the auction, which LiveAuctioneers does not. Please make sure to read our updated terms of sale.

You  can register and leave bids any time from now until the time the  auction commences,

and during the auction live bids can be placed as  each lot comes up. I encourage

you to get registered as a bidder as  early as possible to avoid any holdups on 

auction day. You can also call or email us your absentee bids by end of day today

if you would like us to execute them  during the auction... you get a 1% discount

on the Buyer's Premium if you bid this way. We hope you can participate!

View the catalog on LiveAuctioneers here!

View the catalog on Artfact here!

Thanks for your continued support!

Gabriel Vandervort

Ancient Resource, LLC

AncientResourceAuctions.com

Ancient Resource Upcoming Auction

LOS ANGELES - Ancient Resource, LLC is proud to present an exciting array of ancient art in its April 6th auction, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers and Artfact.com. The auction contains more than 360 lots of well-provenanced goods representing a range of cultures, from the exceptionally rare Babylonian through Egyptian Greek and Roman, to all of the diverse peoples of the New World.

The market for antiquities continues to soar as better pieces enter the realm of tangible assets. Many view antiquities as a viable hedge against inflation and the declining dollar. Provenance is important in this category, and the bulk of Ancient Resource's selections come from select US estates and European collections assembled from the late 19^th and early 20^th century.

Auction highlights with a bit of history:

The 21st Dynasty marked the height of the Egyptian development of blue glazed faience. Glazed in this deep rich color, faience was perceived as substitute for blue-green materials such as turquoise, found in the Sinai peninsula, and lapis lazuli, from Afghanistan. The symbolism embedded in blue glazing could recall both the Nile, the waters of heaven and the home of the gods. Our ushabti epitomizes the quality of the period:

 Lot 59. A beautiful Egyptian bicolor faience ushabti, 3rd Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty, c. 1075 - 945 BC, mummiform, wearing tripartite wig with seshed head-band, arms folded over chest, each hand holding a hoe, bag on back, column of text down front. H: 3 ½” (8.9 cm). Intact and in superb condition. 19th Century collection label on back. Ex English private collection.

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The vast majority of canopic jars were produced in limestone or pottery. In the Third Intermediate Period and later, dummy canopic jars were introduced. Improved embalming techniques allowed the viscera to remain in the body; the traditional jars remained a feature of tombs, but were no longer hollowed out for storage of the organs. This change allowed for the production of magnificent jars in faience. Our lid capped one of his highly unusual pieces:

> Lot 108. A choice bi-color faience canopic lid in the form of Qebehsenuef, 3rd Intermediate Period, c. 1075 - 665 BC, the falcon-headed canopic deity which is one of the “Four Sons of Horus’. The jar lid is beautiful detailed with dark blue lines in the striated wig and black cosmetic details, all over the bright turquoise base. 1 3/8” x 1 ¾” (3.5 x 4.7 cm). Ex New York City private Collection.

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In ancient Egypt, mummification was as much an art as it was a ritual of life and death. This was especially true during Egypt’s golden age of the New Kingdom. Weeks of special attention were given to the deceased during the mummification process, above all for the bodies of kings and important officials. It is extremely rare to find mummified remains showing this high level of care and preparation, and we are fortunate enough to offer such a specimen from a highly esteemed institution.

> Lot 109A. Egyptian New Kingdom head from a Mummy, Perhaps Royal

A wonderfully preserved head from an Egyptian Mummy, New Kingdom, c. 1570 - 1075 BC. The mummification technique used here exemplifies the finest traditions of New Kingdom procedures. The features of the regal looking face are perfectly detailed, the fine linen still tightly wrapped and exuding the scent of the anointment oils. If not a royal, which will take further research, it can be said with great assurance that this is the head of a high official. Offered in a mahogany display stand with a plexiglass cover. Roughly 8 1/2" x 7". Head in very stable condition, tight wrappings and attached tufts of hair. A significantly inferior mummified head last sold at Heritage for over $31,000. Our lot is a much finer representation of the finest form of mummification.. In the 1700 and 1800's mummies were sought out by medical schools for research, dissection and curiosity. Ex. University of Edinburgh Medical College.

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The first of January was dedicated by the Romans to their God of Gates and Doors, Janus. he is commonly depicted with two faces...one regarding what is behind and the other looking toward what lies ahead. Thus, Janus is representative of contemplation on the happenings of an old year while looking forward to the new. Some sources claim that Janus was characterized in such a peculiar fashion due to the notion that doors and gates look in two directions. Therefore, the God could look both backward and forward at the same time. Originally, Janus was portrayed with one bearded face and the other clean-shaven, which may have symbolized the moon and the sun, or age and youth. Our lot continues that theme but uses Dionysos as a subject:

> Lot 124. A Roman marble janiform herm, 1st - 2nd Century AD, one side depicting Dionysos with curled beard and moustache and wearing foliate wreath with vines to either side of his head. The opposite side depicts a youthful satyr with short curly hair, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open. H: 8” (20 cm). Mounted on custom base. Ex Charles Ede Ltd, London 1988; Ex German private collection, acquired from Christies, 18 Oct. 2005.

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Terra cotta figures of women bearing gifts were quite popular in Ancient Greece. The great majority of the figurines simply represent a woman upright, without attribute. These latter figurines were offered in all sanctuaries, independently of the divinity. The terracotta figurines were often purchased at the entry of the sanctuary and placed on temple benches or next to the cult God. They were used to replace offerings in kind, like animals or food. Our lot is a beautiful example of a female offering this type of gift.

> Lot 172. A Greek terracotta figure of a woman, c. 5th Century BC, wearing chiton and himation, her necklace with large diamond-shaped pendant beads. In her arms she clutches what appears to be apple, her facial expression is calm and serine and her hair is styled back in ridges. Some losses to feet, but an attractive piece mounted on a custom metal base. Ex English private collection, acquired prior to 1980.

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The Inca made beautiful objects of gold, silver, copper, bronze and tumbago. But precious metals were in shorter supply than in earlier Peruvian cultures so surviving works in silver are quite rare. The Inca metalworking style draws much of its inspiration from Chimu art and in fact the best metal workers of Chan Chan were transferred to Cusco when the Kingdom of Chimor was incorporated into the empire. The metalworks of the Incas were perhaps the most advanced in America. When the Spanish encountered the Incas most of the silver and gold goods were melted down for bullion. As a result we are quite pleased to offer:

> Lot 352. A late Inca heavy pure silver mirror, Peru, c. AD 1000 - 1450, heavy and of solid construction, the handle with rectangular profile and rounded base, the rounded end pounded flat and polished, a central hole, perhaps for suspension or for a decorative applique. H: 12 1/8” (30.7 cm). Intact, the front side cleaned and re-polished, the back side with original patina. Mounted on custom base. Property from the Collection of Marjorie and Charles Benton, Evanston, Illinois.

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The Chimu people of Peru were master metal smiths. Although copper is found naturally on the coast, it was mostly attained from the highlands in an area about 3 days away. Since most of the copper was imported, it is likely that most of the metal objects that were made were likely very small. The pieces, such as wires, needles, digging stick points, tweezers, and personal ornaments, are consistently small, utilitarian objects of copper or copper bronze. That said our offering in the Chimu bronze area is quite unique.

> Lot 346. A choice Chimu incised bronze disk, Peru, c. AD 1100 - 1450, depicting a stylized reptile with sharp teeth and a long, curving tail. The incising is accentuated with triangular and rectangular cut-outs, a suspension hole at the top. Dia: 8 7/8” (22.5 cm). Intact with a nice green patina. A few light cleaning marks. Mounted on a custom base. Property from the Collection of Marjorie and Charles Benton, Evanston, Illinois.

New Roman and Anglo-Saxon Artifacts!

Hello! I just posted a great group of Anglo-Saxon artifacts, all found in England. Some interesting little things, all at low prices:
See: Anglo-Saxon artifacts

I also put up a small group of neat Roman bronze statuette fragments

Check 'em out!!

Thanks for your continued support,
Gabriel

Tons of new additions to site!

Hello!
I have been very busy, adding a ton of new material to the AncientResource.com website.

A collection of Roman silver denarii of Marc Antony, struck during the battle of Actium where he and Cleopatra were defeated by Octavian (who later became Augustus Caesar):
See: Silver Coins of Marc Antony

A collection of Egyptian ushabtis, all from great old collections. Burial figures, left in the tombs with the mummies to act as servants in the afterlife. They are selling fast!
See: Ancient Egyptian Ushabtis

Ancient gold coins! Some nice Greek and Byzantine gold, as well as a great collection of ancient and Medieval Islamic gold coins from the collection of Stephen Album, the foremost expert and author of many books on the subject:
See: Ancient Gold Coins

There are also many new additions sprinkled throughout the site, so browse through when you get a moment!

Signing off for now,

Gabriel Vandervort

Ancient Artifacts Auction now online!

Hello! My next ancient artifacts auction is coming right up in just over 1 week, next Saturday, February 9th, at 11:00 AM PST. This auction features ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Pre-Columbian, Near Eastern and Medieval artifacts, and will be "Internet-only." 

I will be hosting our auction on two platforms, LiveAuctioneers and Artfact. The two platforms work a bit differently but both enable you to bid in the auction. Artfact enables you to leave absentee bids, and actually see where you stand with your bid prior to the auction, which LiveAuctioneers does not. There is a small added fee by Artfact but I believe it is well worth it for their reliable service. Please make sure to read the Terms of Sale.

You can register and leave bids any time from now until the time the auction commences, and during the auction live bids can be placed as each lot comes up. I encourage you to get registered as a bidder as early as possible to avoid any holdups on auction day. Or, feel free to call or email me your absentee bids if you would like me to execute them during the auction... you get a 1% discount on the Buyer's Premium if you bid this way. I hope you can participate!

View the Auction Catalog on Artfact HERE!

 View the Catalog on LiveAuctioneers HERE!

Scary news from Egypt

Some friends of mine live across from the Presidential palace in Cairo. They alerted me to some extremely alarming news. Apparently the Islamic fundamentalist political party is gaining a lot of power there, and are threatening to destroy the pyramids, claiming that they are idols that people pray to. It would require a massive undertaking to pull off such a feat but the mere fact that there are plans out there to do this is very scary.

I don't even know what to say to this. Taking religious fervor beyond the realm of mental illness? An attempt to permanently destroy tourism and the core of the economy of their entire country? An attempt to draw in an international invasion to oust a specific religious group and create a new war? Brings to mind the Taliban's destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas and what that event brought upon that country.