Antiquities and Ancient Art

Another Look at the Life of Cornelius Vermeule

We reported the passing of Cornelius Vermeule in our blog on November 30.  For more insight into this legend of the classical world, we recommend this just published obituary in the Antiques and Arts weekly.  

'Rare Antiquities Show Remarkable Succes at New York Sales'

Journalist Souren Melikian, one of the smartest observers of the fine art market, provided a keen analysis of this week's New York Fine Antiquities auctions for yesterday's International Herald Tribune.  

Some of his observations:

"The art market is gradually returning to its natural ecology. Far from crushing it, the current recession is ruthlessly paring down the artificial inflation that was recklessly encouraged by auction houses egged on by speculation-oriented consignors. At the same time, spectacular prices can still be achieved when highly important pieces of world museum level turn up."

"Rarities on which no collector wealthy enough to pay the price can gladly pass were fiercely fought over and realized absolutely astounding prices, confirming that the art market stands alone in the overall economy."

"It was not just Egyptian art that had buyers bidding frantically."

"In the market as it now stands, works that require an art lover's eye to be recognized are no longer targeted by speculators. And that, too, is welcome news."

Click here for the full article.

New York Antiquities Sales at Christies and Sothebys Top $28-Million for 2008

Despite the economy, savvy collectors continue to buy quality objects with an odd mix of conviction and caution. 

At Tuesday's morning sale of Antiquities and afternoon session of Ancient Jewelry, Christies hammered down a total of $4.7-million.  The total was respectable despite the fact that several significant items, including a superb early Christian silver paten circa 4th-5th Century AD, estimated at $600-800k) failed to find a buyer.  Of the more than 300 lots offered, more than 63% sold. 

Sotheby's sale the following day achieved a spectacular $8.9M in sales (including buyer's premium) with a very strong 81% of lots selling. Three lots were hammered down for more than $1-million each, including a 13.8" Egyptian greywache figure of a man from the Late 26th/30th Dynasty which was the top lot at $1,650,500 against a $600-900K estimate. The other two lots topping a million dollars were an 18th Dynasty Egyptian limestone figure of a princess from the reign of Akhenaten ($1,082,500) and a superb 18.5" marble Cycladic statue of a goddess circa 2500-2400 BC ($1,022,500).

Richard M. Keresey and Florent Heintz, experts in charge of the sale said, “We were very gratified with the results of today’s sale. Rare objects of great quality and with good provenance sold extremely well, as well in fact as they did in our June sale. The overall total of $8.9 million was nearly

The two December auctions bring the total of antiquities sold between the two firms in 2008 to more than $28-million.

Oil Lamp Collectors: Archaeologists Pinpoint Site of Major Roman Factory

In the First Century AD, demand for molded terracotta oil lamps throughout the Roman empire led to commercialization of a large industry that for the first time competed for consumer demand by blending form and fashion...an important milestone in the evolution of lighting and commerce. Archaeologists reported yesterday that have now pinpointed the factory responsible for making the "Gucci" and "Armani" of ancient oil lamps. 

Oil lamps had been used in antiquity for hundreds of years before Christ.  But during the early years of the Roman Empire, one workshopp in Italy began manufacturing a large volume of lamps decorated with superb and innovative images of gladiators, animals, gods, goddesses and even elaborate important events. More importantly, some of these lamps were "signed" on the bottom with a Latin name that became synonymous with the factories where they were made as they were exported to Roman consumers on three continents.  One of the trendiest of these early lamps was the name FORTIS, and others included STOBILI, COMMUNIS, PHOETASPI, EUCARPI.  Until now the ancient location of these workshops was unknown.

So posh were some of these brands, that they were later copied by workshops in other locations, perhaps illustrating one of the earliest examples of consumer brand piracy!

Construction on a residential complex near the ancient walls of the city of Modena (also famous for its aged balsamic vinegar, Ferrari and the birthplace of Pavarotti) in central-northern Italy has uncovered a large dumping ground which they say confirms for the first time the location of the most famous early lamp workshops in Modena (known as Mutina in ancient times).  While this has been suspected, this is the first physical evidence that a large cluster of lamp workshops existed in the area. That the dump was found near the walls is significant as it is believed that the kilns were outside the ancient walls to prevent fire breaking out in the city.

Ancient Roman lamps are among the most affordable and portable antiquities sought by collectors today.  Most lamps fit in the palm of an adult hand and can cost as little as a hundred dollars. One very interesting facet of ancient lamps is how they evolve to reflect the events of this important period of Western civilization.  First Century Roman lamps tend to have beautiful yet austere decorative motifs reflecting Julio-Claudian taste and are highly desired; certain Second Century lamps can get more elaborate and interesting mirroring the increased complexity and diversity of the Roman empire. During this same period, lamps made in Palestine mirrored Jewish cultural and decorative traditions.  Roman lamps continue to evolve even into the Fourth and Fifth Centuries as secular images are replaced by those with significance to the early Christian community as religion spreads.    

Some useful reference books on ancient lamps and motifs include:

• Roman Pottery in the Royal Ontario Museum

• Light from the Age of Augustine 

• A Catalogue of the Lamps in the British Museum:  Volume IV Lamps of Metal and Stone, and Lampstands

• Ornamented Jewish Oil-Lamps: From the Destruction of the Second Temple Through the Bar-Kokhba Revolt  

• The Dendrites in Pre-Christian & Christian Historical-Literary Tradition and Iconography