Clio Ancient Art and Antiquities seeks to make antiquities and artifacts of the Mediterranean world accessible to a wide audience while offering print and electronic resources to both the novice and experienced collector of ancient art. With 25 years experience collecting and extensive travel in the Mediterranean world, owner Chris Maupin has consulted on ancient art for museums and private collectors.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Well, this is going to cause a stir...
Labels:
ancient,
antiquities,
antiquity,
archaeology,
art,
artifacts,
ceramic,
culture,
Greece,
heritage,
history,
museum,
pottery,
Roman,
Roman Empire,
Rome
Location:
Wilmington, NC, USA
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Antiquity of the Week: Roman Enameled and Tinned Bronze Rabbit Brooch
Our selection for "Antiquity of the Week" is this very small but remarkable Romano-British rabbit brooch with surviving traces of a tin coating (to resemble silver) and enamel decoration.
http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/i506.html |
CULTURE / REGION OF ORIGIN: Roman England but of Continental origin.
DATE: 1st or 2nd Century AD
DIMENSIONS: 2.3 cm (0.90 in.)
DESCRIPTION: A remarkable and very uncommon type of Roman rabbit brooch, of the so-called "Rabbit with Young" type - so named because the 2 cells in the surface each form of a small seated rabbit. These rabbit cells still contain traces of the original red enamel fill, while the surface around them shows remains of tinning. The animal's front and back legs are delicate and clearly represented, with an overall naturalistic body. The tiny head is now missing. The back is flat and undecorated with the hinge and catch plate for the now missing pin still present. The UK Portable Antiquities Scheme's vast database contains only 11 examples of rabbit brooches, found in England but mostly of Continental origin, probably from Gaul, and only a few of these are the "Rabbit with Young" variety. A tiny, remarkable and very uncommon type at a very reasonable price.
PROVENANCE: UK metal detecting find, declared not Treasure and legally exported.
COMPARISONS: For a nearly identical example, also missing part of the head and the pin, see the UK Portable Antiquities Database at www.finds.org.uk, Unique ID: SF-D91D84
Labels:
ancient,
Ancient Art,
antiquities,
antiquity,
archaeology,
art,
artifacts,
brooch,
England,
fibula,
history,
Roman,
Rome
Location:
Wilmington, NC, USA
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Vikings Coming to The British Museum
Here's the link to the much talked about Viking exhibition coming to The British Museum this Spring - http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/vikings.aspx
Another Fine Ongoing Exhibit at the Villa
An ongoing, long term exhibition and a
personal favorite. For those with an interest in ancient glass, I
recommend the Getty’s publications selection on the topic, which is
extensive – http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/molten_color/index.html
Exhibits at The Getty Villa
As always, there are some great exhibitions ongoing at the Getty Villa in Malibu. Here’s one, running through March 3, 2013 –
http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/tiberius/
http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/tiberius/
Friday, November 29, 2013
Antiquities for the Holidays
Hello Customers, Fans and Friends of Clio Ancient Art:
For Black Friday, Cyber Monday and all the other shopping
days between now and the end of this year, we’ve loaded our website with many
modestly priced fine quality antiquities suitable for holiday gift giving. These
include -
·
* Several dozen Roman, Byzantine, early Islamic
and other ancient and medieval coins of all types, all reasonably priced, including
several excellent examples of the coinage of Constantine I. You may find them
here: http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c18_p1.html
·
* At least 20 examples of Roman bronze brooches of
several types. These are very personal antiquities that connect us to the
individuals who originally wore them. Many are available for under $100. You
may find these in our multi-page Ancient Jewelry section here: http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c19_p1.html
·
* Ancient oil lamps, including fine Roman redware,
Byzantine, Hellenistic and early Islamic examples - http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c14_p1.html
·
* Ancient glass vessels and objects, mostly Roman,
in many shapes, styles, colors and prices - http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c13_p1.html
and here http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c24_p1.html
·
* As always, we offer fine quality Egyptian
antiquities - http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c2_p1.html
·
* Greek antiquities - http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c3_p1.html
·
* Several pages of Roman antiquities - http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c15_p1.html
and here - http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c16_p1.html
and here - http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c17_p1.html
· *
And mixed Byzantine, Near Eastern, Medieval and
other types of antiquities - http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c26_p1.html
– and here - http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/c21_p1.html
Many of the fine quality objects offered in these pages also
very moderately priced for holiday gift giving or for treating yourself.
Domestic shipping is free (see our website for international shipping costs).
As always, thanks for looking and please don’t hesitate to
contact us should you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Chris M. Maupin
Clio Ancient Art and Antiquities
Chris Maupin Trust for Ancient Art
PO Box 7714
Wilmington, NC 28406
Phone: 704-293-3411
Web: http://www.clioancientart.com/
Clio Ancient Art and Antiquities
Chris Maupin Trust for Ancient Art
PO Box 7714
Wilmington, NC 28406
Phone: 704-293-3411
Web: http://www.clioancientart.com/
Friday, November 22, 2013
ANTIQUITY OF THE WEEK: Roman Bronze Arm, Hand and Purse of Mercury
http://www.clioancientart.com/catalog/i490.html |
Exceptional Roman Bronze Arm, Hand & Purse of Mercury
CULTURE / REGION OF ORIGIN: Roman Britain
DATE: 2nd-3rd Century AD
DIMENSIONS: 4 cm (1.57 in.) long, 3.5 cm (1.38 in.) tall
DESCRIPTION: A beautifully preserved hollow cast bronze arm and hand holding a purse from a statuette of the Roman god Mercury (equivalent to the Greek god Hermes). The arm is bent at the elbow, in the god’s typical stance, and the detailed hand grasps a shepherds purse. Mercury was the patron god of financial gain and commerce, among others roles, and statuettes of the god were especially popular in the western European provinces of the Empire. Mercury’s Greek equivalent, Hermes, was also a protector of shepherds, so his purse, which resembles an animal skin, is referred to as a shepherds purse. Unlike most smaller statuette fragments, this example is just large enough to have come from a hollow cast statuette, probably from a household or military shrine. The point at which the arm has broken away from the statuette reveals its hollow inside. The surfaces are a very smooth dark green, almost black, with small areas of pale earthen highlighting.
PROVENANCE: Oxfordshire, UK metal detecting find, declared not treasure and legally exported.
COMPARISONS: See the UK Portable Antiquities Scheme online database, object SF-EBF-303, for a smaller hand and purse found in Suffolk, and the British Museum collections online, number 1851,0813.9 for a complete figurine of Mercury found in France, measuring about 6 inches tall, holding the purse in this same posture.
Labels:
ancient,
Ancient Art,
antiquities,
antiquity,
archaeology,
art,
artifacts,
bronze,
culture,
heritage,
Hermes,
history,
Mercury,
Roman
Location:
Wilmington, NC, USA
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