Ancient objects include all items of material culture from the dawn of humanity up to the fall of the Roman Empire. They are divided into Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other civilizations.
Their value is self-evident: this is a closed collection – no new objects are being created, while humanity continues to grow. These works form the very foundations of Western civilization. They embody timeless beauty, and their value has been steadily increasing since the Renaissance.
Cartoon with a representation of a usekh necklace, Egypt, 1st millennium BC.
Cartonage (canvas covered with gypsum and polychrome) with a depiction of a wide necklace called a "usekh" collar, ancient Egypt, 1st millennium B.C. The collar has a semicircular form and is composed of several zones of ornament separated by narrow yellow bands. The different zones are filled with diverse decorative motifs: a row of circular ornaments filled with dots, imitating glass or faience beads, stylized "pendants," strips with alternating triangular segments, and rows of spindle-shaped ornaments. At the top, in the center, is a rectangular field with a representation of Horus, shown in profile in a seated position, facing right, inside a stylized temple. The sides of the collar show depictions of a red disk above the head of a falcon or hawk - most likely a depiction of the head of the god Ra with a solar disk.
It is impossible to say conclusively whether the offered collar covered the coffin or directly the mummy of the deceased, as both possibilities are possible. Without specialized research, its dating should be placed in a wide range covering the 1st millennium B.C. However, it is worth noting that similar decorative motifs appear on a cartonage collar from the collection of The Michael C. Carlos Museum in Atlanta, dated to 1069-750 B.C. (object no. 2018.010.254).
Gallo-Roman sculpture of the head of Eros (?), marble, 1st-3rd century A.D.
Full-plastic head sculpture made of white marble, facial features treated quite schematically except for the characteristic almond-shaped eyes and "Gioconda's smile." The nose is flat, the hair reaching the neck, wavy around the line of the face, at the back the hairstyle treated schematically. The shape of the neck from underneath allows us to conclude that the head was originally part of a larger composition. The sculpture is placed on a custom-made, two-stage pedestal of black marble.
Sarcophagus mask, wood, Ancient Egypt, 1st century B.C. – 1st c. after Chr.
Shekel (Judas silver), Tyre, 139 local era = 13/14 after Chr.
Av. Melkart's head in laurel wreath to the right.
Rv. TYPOY [IEPAΣ] KAI AΣYΛOY, eagle standing left on prow of galley, palm branch on right wing, in left field letters PΛΘ (date) over mace, in right KP over monogram, Phoenician letter "Bet" between eagle's paws.
Silver, 13.6 g, 25.4 mm. Literature: DCA 920; HGC 10, 357.
Condition III+, rare and nicely preserved coin minted during Jesus' lifetime.
Standing Buddha, bronze, Thailand, 17th century
A bronze sculpture depicting a standing Buddha. Originating from Thailand, it is dated to the early 17th century. The figure is presented frontally, with the right hand raised in the abhaya mudra, symbolizing protection and fearlessness, and the left hand resting along the body. The silhouette is slender, with elongated proportions, and a clearly defined robe clinging to the body. The form and execution align with the Ayutthaya (Ayuddhaya) style, characteristic of 17th-century Thai Buddhist sculpture. The sculpture is covered with a natural, dark patina. Its authenticity is confirmed by a certificate issued in 1995 by Punny Antiques (Bangkok).
Balmamarium, terracotta, Ancient Rome, ca. 1st-2nd century A.D.
Authentic Roman balsamarium (unguentarium) from the 1st-2nd century BC, made of clay using a potter's wheel. The vessel, which had a distinctive form - with a cracked belly, slender neck and wide, orifice-shaped spout, was used to store liquid fragrances and toilet scents. It was often part of the equipment of the deceased. Formerly it was believed that balsamaria were used to collect the tears of mourners during funeral ceremonies - hence the misnomer lacrimatorium (from lacrima - tear).
Balmamarium, terracotta, Ancient Rome, ca. 1st-2nd century A.D.
Authentic Roman balsamarium (unguentarium) from the 1st-2nd century BC, made of clay using a potter's wheel. The vessel, which had a distinctive form - with a cracked belly, slender neck and wide, orifice-shaped spout, was used to store liquid fragrances and toilet scents. It was often part of the equipment of the deceased. Formerly it was believed that balsamaria were used to collect the tears of mourners during funeral ceremonies - hence the misnomer lacrimatorium (from lacrima - tear).
Kyliks (wine drinking vessel), pottery, Ancient Greece, ca. mid-4th century B.C.
Greek kylix most likely made in Apulia, dated to around the mid-4th century B.C. Classical example of utility ceramics - A chalice used for drinking wine. The vessel is preserved in very good condition, with no cracks or structural defects, with visible signs of age, loss of the firn layer and lime deposit inside. Found in the south of France.
Lekanis with lid, terracotta, Ancient Greece (probably Beotia), 5th century BC.
Small ancient ceramic vessel of the type lekanis, dated to 5th century p. Ch. , probably originating in Beotia in central Greece. A vessel with a low, flattened body, with two thin, rising handles and a matching lid ending in a flat button. Made of fine-grained clay with a orange-red shadecovered with dark firnis and decorated with a band of vertical zigzags in brown-black.
On the underside is visible an undersized ring foot With concentric circles and lathe marks. Preserved museum numbering applied in ink. The surface of the dish shows typical traces of reduction firing, local discoloration, loss of phirnis and mineral deposits, but the whole is preserved in complete form with the original lid.
Lekanis was used in ancient Greece for storing cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry and small ornaments. Vessels of this type accompanied women in daily life, and were also placed in graves as a items of personal use with symbolic significance.
What are antiquities or antiquities in the context of early art and antiques?
The category “Antiquities” includes all objects, artifacts, and expressions of material culture from the beginnings of humanity up to the fall of the Roman Empire. In simple terms, everything that predates the Middle Ages belongs to this category. From the medieval period onward, a new division and classification of art begins.
Within Antiquities, we distinguish three main subcategories corresponding to the best-known civilizations of the Mediterranean basin:
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Ancient Egypt
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Ancient Greece
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Ancient Rome
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Other: all remaining objects that do not fall into the above three civilizations, such as a Bronze Age stone axe from Scandinavia or artifacts of the Aztec culture, are classified as “Other.”
Sybaris Gallery of Early Art offers authentic historical artifacts that bear witness to the richness of ancient civilizations.