Ancient Artifax | Galleries

Collecting is a passion and the people who collect are as diverse as the items they choose to acquire. It is thought that the urge to collect is an instinct that remains within us from our prehistoric, hunter-gatherer ancestors. Regardless of what drives us to collect, it is important to collect pieces you like. Enjoy your treasures and learn from them.

Please feel free to contact me if I assist you in helping start or build your collection in whatever area interests you. The items offered here may not be the rarest, least (or most) expensive in the marketplace, but be assured they are authentic and of the highest aesthetic quality. Being an artist myself, I am very selective about the items I collect and sell. I acquire only pieces with great visual appeal and are superior in overall design, form, balance and proportion.

Collecting ancient art is also a wise investment, but aside from monetary value, ancient art is a direct link to our past. Collectors are the keepers of history. I hope many of you will pass on your interest in ancient art and history to your children and grandchildren. Keeping the spirit alive and growing for generations to come.

As for my pricing, I am neither a wholesaler or retailer, but somewhere in between. I sell to dealers and private collectors alike. When pricing any item, I consider the rarity, quality, and desirability, as well as other factors. But in the end, what really determines the asking price is how much I like that particular item. My favorite pieces are always priced higher or not offered for sale at all.

I have numerous items that are not shown on this Website. If you have a particular interest and are looking for something special, just ask. Also, some of the items shown in the "restoration services" pages are available. Contact me about availability and pricing. Please feel free to email with questions or comments concerning any of the pieces on this site. Enjoy your treasure hunt...

As most serious collectors know, there are numerous fakes and reproductions being offered in today's market. Ebay is filled with listings of fake antiquities. Avoiding fakes is critical when building your collection. It is important to know and trust the dealers you buy from. Ask questions and inquire about the seller's authenticity guarantee and return policy. Also, educate yourself and learn as much as possible about your area of interest. Read books, go to museums and attend reputable antiquities shows. Also, there is valuable information available on-line.

Best of luck and happy hunting.

Below is a selection of low-cost authentic artifacts from around the world. Perfect for budget or beginner collectors. Make great gifts too. Nothing over $100!

SPECIAL!
Jump-start your collection and receive an additional discount. Choose any 5 or more bargain items and get an additional 10% off!

NOTE: All items being offered on this website have appropriate provenance and are legal to buy and own under the United States statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, Chapter 14. Every purchase comes with a written certificate of authenticity (COA) and are fully guaranteed to be as described. Provenance and accurate, detailed condition information is included with each listing.

Shipping costs are not included in the purchase price. Shipping options are (U.S. only) via USPS Priority Mail, UPS Ground or FedEx. Tracking info will be provided. Fragile items will be double-boxed.

International Sales: Shipping outside of the United States is no longer available. International shipping has become overly stressful and is no longer an option due to unpredictable costs, customs issues and import/export restrictions that vary by country.

Pre-Columbian Narino Painted Bowl Colombia

Narino Painted Bowl — Colombia

1000 AD - 1250 AD

A small pottery bowl from the Narino culture of ancient Colombia. Well made with curved sides and slightly rounded bottom; an elegant form. Painted on the outside with traditional Narino geometric decoration in black against a deep orange-brown. The exterior is nicely burnished. The interior is plain and shows ample deposits and root marks. In fair to good condition with minor dings and scratches. Several rim pieces reattached, small rim losses restored and the paint touched up as needed.

Ex. R. Murray collection, Georgia.

Approx. 2" tall x 4" across

SOLD

Costa Rican Nicoya Polychrome Bowl Vessel

Nicoya Polychrome Bowl — Costa Rica

950 AD - 1450 AD

A large polychrome bowl from the Nicoya region of ancient Costa Rica. Painted inside and out with linear decoration in orange and black against a cream background. In poor condition. Assembled from six original pieces with visible break lines. Some small chips and losses along the breaks. Heavy surface erosion and deposits present overall, but completely original with no restoration.

Ex. Art for Eternity Gallery, NYC

Approx. 8.5" across x 4" tall.

$95

Tarrago Bisque Vessels — Costa Rica - Panama

1000 AD - 1500 AD

Three fine Tarrago vessels from the border area of Costa Rica and Panama (Diquis Zone) dating to the Chirique Phase, Period VI. All are well made, thin walled examples of "bisque ware" pottery, typical of that region. Buff terracotta surface with light deposits.

1) Large olla (top) - Approx. 5" wide x 4" tall. Elegant form with integrated loop handles and in perfect condition - $95

2) Simple olla (left) - Approx. 3.5" wide x 3.75" tall. Rare form with flatish sides. Spout reattached with restored break - $50

3) Tripod vessel (right) - Approx. 4" wide x 2.5" tall. Lovely bowl with solid (rare, human-form) legs and in perfect condition - $95

Priced individually or $200 for all three

Tarrago Bisque Tripod Vessels — Costa Rica - Panama

1000 AD - 1500 AD

Three nice Tarrago tripod vessels from the border area of Costa Rica and Panama (Diquis Zone) dating to the Chirique Phase, Period VI. All are well made, thin walled examples of "bisque ware" pottery, typical of that region. Buff terracotta surface with light deposits.

1) Large tripod (top) - Approx. 4.5" wide x 4" tall. Elegant form with rattle legs and only minor repairs - SOLD

2) Small tripod (left) - Approx. 2.5" wide x 2" tall. Nodes decorate solid legs. Has small rim chips - $50

3) Medium tripod (right) - Approx. 4" wide x 3" tall. Lovely bowl with rattle legs and in perfect condition - SOLD

Pre-Columbian Chirique Pottery Footed Olla Vessels

Chirique Footed Ollas — Costa Rica - Panama

1000 AD - 1500 AD

Two pottery footed vessels (ollas) from the border area of Costa Rica and Panama - Diquis Zone, dating to the Chirique Phase, Period VI. Each has a short footed base, rounded bodies and are topped by flared rims. Vessel #1 (left) has bird head adornos and chips missing. Approx. 4" x 3.5". Vessel #2 (right) has a stylized bird face tucked just beneath the rim, small chips missing and lightly eroded surface. Approx. 5" x 6". Both have light to moderate deposits and no repairs. Ex. R. Murray collection, Georgia.

$95 for both.

Pre-Columbian Chirique Pottery Pedestal Bowls Vessels

Chirique Pedestal Bowls — Costa Rica - Panama

1000 AD - 1500 AD

Three pottery pedestal bowls from the border area of Costa Rica and Panama - Diquis Zone, dating to the Chirique Phase, Period VI. Each has a flared footed base and is topped by offering bowls. Bowl #1 (left) has incised decoration on the base and a 2" chip missing at the base. Approx. 4" x 6". Bowl #2 (center) has adornos just below the rim, small base and rim chips and a stable crack near the midsection. Approx. 5" x 6". Bowl #3 (right) has no decoration, two small rim chips & an area of fire clouding. Approx. 3 x 6". All have light surface erosion along with moderate deposits.

Ex. R. Murray collection, Georgia.

Bowl #3 has been SOLD. $75 each or $150 for #1 and #2.

Pre-Columbian Costa Rican Pottery Olla Vessels

Central American Pottery Vessels — Costa Rica

800 AD - 1200 AD

Three pottery vessels (ollas) from Costa Rica's Atlantic Watershead region. Ex. R. Murray collection of Georgia.

Olla #1 (top) - Redware with decorative handles. Good condition; one handle reattached otherwise intact. Approx. 4" x 3".

Olla #2 (left) - Redware with incised designs and zoomorphic adornos. Fair condition; surface has fire clouding and several cracks. Approx. 4.25" x 3.5"

Olla #3 (right) - Orangeware with raised spout and zoomorphic adornos. Good condition; surface has fire clouding otherwise intact. Approx. 4.5" x 4.25"

$80 each or $200 for all three.

Vintage Tobacco Products — Richmond, VA

Mid 20th Century

An unopened cloth pouch of Genuine Durham Smoking Tobacco from W.T. BLackwell & Co., a division of The American Tobacco Co., Richmond, VA. Probably dates to around 1960. The package still retains the original revenue stamp at top of package and the originally included packet of rolling papers tucked into the back of the pouch. In fair condition. Wear and losses to paper label including creases, tears and fold marks. Cloth has light staining. Also included are twelve (12) unused "Velvet' brand cigarette (rolling) papers and one (1) pack 'B&W' cigarette papers. All in very good condition. A nice group of vintage collectable tobacco products.

NOTE: While the package has never been opened, the tobacco inside is not for consumption.

Ex. J. Behnkin estate of Atlanta, GA.

Pouch approx. 2.25" x 3.5"

$40

Roman Amphora Handle — Holy Land

100 BC - 100 AD

A pottery amphora handle from the Holy Land, dating to the Roman period. A ribbed handle that was once part of a large storage container. Made of reddish terracotta, typical of this period, it has moderate to heavy surface encrustation. In good condition as a fragment. Written on the underside is "Birthplace of Mary." An interesting feature, but I certainly can not confirm that as fact.

Ex. J. Behnkin Estate of Atlanta, GA.

Approx. 2.75" x 1.5"

SOLD

Ancient African Koma Pottery Head Fragment

Koma Head Fragment — North Ghana, Africa

12th to 16th Century AD

A pottery head fragment from the ancient Koma culture of Ghana, Africa. Janus form with two opposing faces composed of appliqued and pierced features. Most likely broken from a larger figure or vessel. Constructed from coarse, sandy clay typical of Bura pottery. In fair condition, one face has an eroded nose, the other has losses below the nose (mouth area) but still displays well as a fragment. A good example of ancient Bura pottery. Could easily be mounted on a custom display stand for minimal additional cost.

Ex. James Lee collection of New Mexico.

Approx. 4" tall x 4" across.

$85

African Pottery Terracotta Lobi Mancala Player Figure

Lobi Mancala Player — Africa

Late 20th Century

A pottery figure depicting an elderly Lobi tribesman playing Mancala. The Lobi occupy areas of Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana. The game of Mancala is thought to have originated in Africa around 600 AD. It is a popular game in Africa that is now being played throughout the world. The figure is realistically sculpted in blackware terracotta. He sits with one knee raised and one hand reaching for gaming stones on the Mancala game-board. The other hand holds 'captured' stones. Condition is fair to good. Restoration to one arm and the game-board, otherwise intact. A few tiny chips are present along with light earthen surface deposits, mainly in the crevices. An attractive and decorative piece, but is relatively modern and was not created for tribal use. Most certainly made for the tourist trade and dates to the last half of the 20th Century.

Ex. M. Dailey collection of Charlotte, NC.

Approx. 3" x 4" x 4" tall.

$85

Costa Rican Double Olla — Central America

400 AD- 800 AD

An unusual miniature double olla from Costa Rica. Two small vessels conjoined at the middle and again at the top by a strap handle. Buff tan terracotta construction with orange slip on the handle and inner rims of the spouts. In perfect condition with light deposits present. A very cute piece and a rare type.

Ex. R. Murray collection of Georgia.

Approx. 3.75" across x 2" tall.

$95

Ancient Mexico Teotihuacan Miniature Pottery Bowls Vessels

Teotihuacan Miniature Bowls — Mexico

400 AD - 650 AD

Two miniature bowls from Teotihuacan, Mexico. Orange terracotta with some fire clouding on the larger bowl. In good condition. Each has small rim chips restored and deposits consistent with age.

Bowl #1, 2.5" across x 1" tall - Bowl #2, 2.5" across x 1.5" tall

$95 for both bowls

Teotihuacan Pottery Bowl — Mexico

400 AD - 650 AD

A small Teotihuacan pottery bowl with slightly concave bottom and flared sides. The brownware surface is lightly burnished and has moderate deposits. In fair condition. Assembled from 6 original pieces with restored breaks.

Approx. 3.5" across x 1.5" tall

$75

Below is a list of auction catalogs. These don't really pertain to ancient art, but were in a large box lot of catalogs I acquired years ago. All are in very good to excellent condition and some have prices realized lists. Please email me for additional info or photos. Prices of catalogs in this group are as follows:
$7.00 each for individual catalogs (plus shipping)
$6.00 each for 10 or more catalogs (plus shipping)

Sotheby's New York, May 1988, Latin American Art
Sotheby's New York, May 1989, Latin American Art
Sotheby's New York, May 1990, Latin American Art
Sotheby's New York, Nov. 1990, Latin American Art

Christie's New York, May 1989, Latin American Paintings, Drawing & Sculpture
Christie's New York, Nov. 1989, Latin American Paintings, Drawing & Sculpture
Christie's New York, May 1990, Latin American Paintings, Drawing & Sculpture
Christie's New York, Nov. 1990, Latin American Paintings, Drawing & Sculpture
Christie's New York, May 1991, Latin American Paintings, Drawing & Sculpture

Christie's New York, Nov. 1990, Impressionist & Modern Paintings & Sculpture - Part 1
Christie's New York, Nov. 1990, Contemporary Art
Christie's New York, May 1992, 19th Century European Paintings, Drawings & Watercolors
Christie's New York, Jan. 1990, Antique & Fine Jewelry
Christie's on the Premises, Sept. 1992, Collection of Lillian Blankley Cogan of Farmington, Conn.

Galleries

About Collecting and Other Information