What’s in the London Antiquities sales next week? The Wall Street Journal tells us:
A beautiful Roman marble semi-draped torso of Aphrodite, goddess of love, from around the 1st century A.D. at Christie’s is estimated at £180,000-£220,000. This is one example of how reasonably priced fine ancient art can be compared to prices of contemporary sculpture, says Christie’s antiquities specialist Georgiana Aitken. […]
Also at Christie’s will be a Roman marble statue of a nonchalantly arrogant young satyr with a panther at his feet from the late first to mid-second century A.D. This mischievous piece is estimated at £400,000-£600,000.
A glamorous highlight at Bonhams will be a gold Hellenistic wreath, composed of sprays of oak leaves with miniature acorns nestling among them, from around the fourth or third century B.C. Such wreaths graced the heads of rulers and dignitaries. The delicate wreath’s survival is “almost miraculous,” says Bonhams antiquities specialist Madeleine Perridge (estimate: £100,000-£120,000).
The Ancient Still Retains Its Old Shine (Wall Street Journal)
