Ancient Art

Ancient art refers to art produced by advanced cultures of ancient societies with some form of writing, such as China, India, the Mediterranean, the Levant, Egypt, Greece, the Roman Empire, Roman North Africa, and Mesoamerican cultures before the arrival of Europeans. Ancient is defined in the VA Collection as items made before1200 CE and includes Chinese Han (206 BCE-220 CE) ceramics and metalwork; Mediterranean terracotta from the Holy Land Biblical Period (934-586 BCE), Magna Graecia (8-5th Century BCE) pottery, Roman Empire North Africa (27 BCE-476 CE) pottery, and a Texas Clovis Culture Paleolithic Spear (15,000-10,000 BCE.).

Showing 1–12 of 14 results

  • Sale! Ancient Daunian Earthenware Cup, Magna Graecia, Italy (1789)

    Ancient Daunian Earthenware Cup, Magna Graecia, Italy (1789)

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $550.00.
    H: 3”  W: 4.75”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This Daunian style earthenware cup was produced in the ancient northern Italian region Apulia, then known as Magna Graecia, from the 6th or 5th centuries B.C.E.. It was covered with beige slip and painted with red, brown and black earth colors in a variety of geometric patterns. Its curved rim and high handle was ideal for pouring liquids like water and wine.  The handle may have been repaired as there is an uneven slip underneath it or may have been attached it was painted but it is otherwise in very good condition.

  • Sale! Ancient Glazed Ceramic Han Wing Cup, China (1009BOH)

    Ancient Glazed Ceramic Han Wing Cup, China (1009BOH)

    Original price was: $450.00.Current price is: $310.00.
    H: 1.5″    W: 5.125 ”    D: 3.875 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Used for rituals and ceremonies, lead green glazed earthenware wing cups were popular burial objects. The tomb’s humidity caused the lead to oxidize to a lustrous, prized iridescent, silver-green.

  • Sale! Ancient Holy Land Carinated Wine Jug, Judea  (3241)

    Ancient Holy Land Carinated Wine Jug, Judea (3241)

    Original price was: $750.00.Current price is: $595.00.
    H: 8.5”  Dia: 5.5” | FREE SHIPPING within Continental U.S.!

    Wine jugs from in the Judean Holy Land at the time of the first Jewish Temple were used for religious ceremonies and wine blessing as an important Jewish prayer. This carinated piece was made using the coil construction method and the paddle and anvil technique.

  • Sale! Ancient Oinochoe Wine Jug, Roman North Africa (3197B)

    Ancient Oinochoe Wine Jug, Roman North Africa (3197B)

    Original price was: $295.00.Current price is: $195.00.
    Ht: 6.25”  W: 3.25”  D: 2.75” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S. !

    Made in Roman North Africa, this small pouring vessel made of durable materials was called coarse wear for everyday use. Elegant in its simplicity It was made with a potters wheel. A fine small piece of history.

  • SOLD Ancient Earthenware Bowl, Roman North Africa (3184)

    SOLD Ancient Earthenware Bowl, Roman North Africa (3184)

    $425.00
    H: 2.875” Dia: 7.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Produced locally in Roman North Africa ceramic centers in Africa Proconsularis after the Roman Empire expanded, pottery like this was shipped throughout the Empire. Functional wares called coarse wares were covered with slip to make them less porous and sometimes as here red paint added for decoration.This finely shaped red clay earthenware is less typical than other bowls with thinner, taller and slightly curved walls.

  • SOLD Ancient Earthenware Carinated Flagon (3191BLB) Roman North Africa

    SOLD Ancient Earthenware Carinated Flagon (3191BLB) Roman North Africa

    $725.00
    H: 4.5”  W: 3”  D: 2.75” | SOLD

    This Roman ceramic flagon is a uniquely shaped vessel used to store and pour potable liquids. A crème slip carinated jug with a high profile and a trefoil pouring spout, it has a strap handle attached from the carinated edge to just below the rim for easy handling. Roman coarse wars like this were use for liquids and to make offerings to household deities.

  • SOLD Ancient Harpocrates Figurine, Roman Empire, Alexandria (1844)

    SOLD Ancient Harpocrates Figurine, Roman Empire, Alexandria (1844)

    $395.00
    Ht: 6.5”  W: 2.625”  D: 1.75” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This ancient figurine is Harpocrates the Greek god of silence and secrets holding a jar made for a home shrine.  He probably represents a royal and temple cult, as he wears a double crown symbolizing both Upper and Lower Egypt and his royal emblem signifies his association with the reigning Egyptian king, who was considered a manifestation of the Egyptian god Horus. Missing part of his right side when excavated, and no with no repairs this is a true slice of history. It pairs well with #1845 Ancient Pottery Figurine of Child Nurturer Goddess.

  • SOLD Ancient Large Stamped Red Platter, Roman North Africa (3185)

    SOLD Ancient Large Stamped Red Platter, Roman North Africa (3185)

    $450.00
    H: 2.25”  Dia: 14.5″ |Free shipping in Continental US!

    Created in the Roman North Africa  platters like this were distributed throughout the Roman Empire.  Known as  s ARS (African Red Slip) it is decorated with circular rings with perfect ridges made using a pottery wheel. This ancient serving plate is remarkable for its survival, size, stamped designs and graceful simplicity. Found in two pieces, the breaks were clean and glued together. Platters of this size are rare and are usually in multiple broken pieces with significant losses.

  • SOLD Ancient Pottery Figurine of Child Nurturer Goddess, Roman Empire, Alexandria (1845BHK)

    SOLD Ancient Pottery Figurine of Child Nurturer Goddess, Roman Empire, Alexandria (1845BHK)

    $395.00
    Ht: 6.75” W: 3” D: 2” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This Roman Egyptian figurine from Alexandria of a woman holding a young child is a Kourotrophos, a class goddess figures holding infants or children. Referred to as “child nurturers”, these were revered deities, cult figures and mortals who were also fertility symbols and protectors of the young. Made from a bivalve mold, this terracotta figurine was probably placed on a home altar for protection. Mother and child figures like this are universal and appear in cultures throughout the world. It pairs well with #1844 Ancient Harpocrates Figurine.

     

  • SOLD Ancient Terracotta Carinated Flagon with Handle, Roman North Africa (3190)

    SOLD Ancient Terracotta Carinated Flagon with Handle, Roman North Africa (3190)

    $625.00
    H: 8.5” Dia: 9.75” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Made in the Roman North Africa, this ancient carinated ceramic flagon called coarse wear for daily use made of inexpensive durable clay was used to hydrate all kinds of people and on home altars for offerings to family deities. Carinated pottery, where the top and lower sections are angled in opposite directions forming a pointed edge, was common ancient pottery shape, this one with a handle.

  • Sale! SOLD Ancient Terracotta Platter with Stamped Designs, Roman North Africa (3186)

    SOLD Ancient Terracotta Platter with Stamped Designs, Roman North Africa (3186)

    Original price was: $465.00.Current price is: $365.00.
    H: 1.625” Dia: 10.125” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    A fine ancient Roman platter produced for upper classes, this is refined and delicate and has stamped decorative images in complex circles.  Although rough areas with small losses remain, it is an ancient piece otherwise in very good condition that, especially considering its age and use, remains a remarkable surviving piece of history.

  • SOLD Brick Tile of 2 Wéiqí Board Game Players (3346BKE) China

    SOLD Brick Tile of 2 Wéiqí Board Game Players (3346BKE) China

    $495.00

    H: 11” W: 9.5” D: 2” | SOLD

    As part of the The Song dynasty cultural expansion, government and public buildings and tombs were built with interior walls decorated with earthenware unglazed mold-made brick tiles. This fanciful vibrant tile with a scalloped frame portrays two people playing a board game called wéiqí which originated in China over 2500 years ago. It is the world’s oldest and most complex board game still played.

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