Antiquities & Ancient Art

Sale 1188

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| Chicago

May 25 | 11:00 AM EDT

Live

| Chicago

Lot 187

Lot 187

A Roman Rock Crystal Amphoriskos

Status:

Closed

Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000

Estimate$3,000 – $5,000

Status

Closed

A Roman Rock Crystal Amphoriskos

Roman Period or Later

Height 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm).

Provenance:

Gawain McKinley, London, prior to 1971.

Fernando Torres, Lisbon, Portugal, 1971-1994.

Jose de Albuquerque, Lisbon, Portugal, acquired from the above, 12 May 1994.

Sands of Time, Washington D.C., Inv. no. RV1701. [where cataloged as 'after the antique']

This delicate and refined bottle is exceptionally carved with twin opposing ear shape handles, a long neck with a flat rim, rounded shoulders, and a tipped bottom. Rock crystal was highly prized in antiquity for its brilliance and rarity. Only a small number of rock crystal amphoriskoi are known, and none with the gilding seen in this present example. For similar examples, see the Getty Museum (Acc. no. 83.AN.331) and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Acc. no. 99.457).

Inspected under UV light and 10x loupe. Small chip on disk foot. Some encrustations and discoloration throughout. Mineral deposits within. Handles rest on modern stand. Height with stand 5 3/4 inches (14.6 cm). Overall in fine and attractive condition. See additional images.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Jacob Coley

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Antiquities and Ancient Art

[email protected]312 280 1212

Mr. Coley joined the Antiquities department in 2021 after working as Managing Director in the Ancient Art department at Colnaghi, the world’s oldest commercial art gallery, where he helped to establish the Ancient Art department and launched Colnaghi New York in 2017. Prior to Colnaghi, Mr. Coley was in the Greek and Roman Art department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Coley holds a B.A. from the University of Miami and an M.A. in Art Market from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and he earned an art-appraisal certificate from New York University.

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Antiquities & Ancient Art

A Roman Rock Crystal Amphoriskos

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