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Why You Can Afford To Collect Antiquities
By Anne Gilbert
I know it sounds unbelievable that it is possible to pay as little as $200
for a small Egyptian station (954-853 B.C.), or a Neolithic painted pottery jar,
ca. 2000 B.C., or a free-blown amber marbled glass flask, ca. 1st century A.D.,
for $1,000-$2,000. Surprisingly, the answer is because they aren't very rare.
According to Bill Gage, in the expert department of James Julia Auctions, they
turn up regularly at auction.
"They are still digging it up, and it was
untouched for 2,000 years."
However, he noted that the same doesn't hold
true for ancient Roman glass that commands a higher price. The several examples
at the recent August 26-28 James Julia Auction had some surprises. An Apulian
vase estimated at $400-$600 sold for $3,450. An Egyptian blue faience figure was
way over an estimated of $100-$200 at $1,6750.
Antiquities categories include
Egyptian bronzes, Roman marble sculptures, pottery and glass, to mention a few.
Private collectors have to bid against dealers and museums. There have always
been collectors of antiquities, especially when you consider the status of
having a marble bust of a Roman emperor greeting your guests in the foyer.
In 15th century Florence, Italy, the interest in antiquities was so great
that Michelangelo made his first sale with a statue he had made "in the manner
of" a Roman antique.
By the 17th century, the art of ancient Egypt was
discovered, and again, students and collectors got involved. Faking was in high
gear by the time Napoleon made his expedition to the Nile. Copies and variations
of Egyptian bronze statuettes were produced in the 17th and 18th centuries. By
the late 19th century, British excavations stirred the interest of tourists and
collectors alike. Hundreds purchased small artifacts, usually small figures and
pottery sold to them as antiques by mysterious Egyptian street vendors and
shopkeepers. Especially popular were amulets of Isis and Ra in blue faience.
They still turn up at shows and auctions.
CLUES: Still interested in
collecting antiquities? In his book, Fakes, first written in 1948, author Otto
Kurz discusses forgetting 16th century Greek and Roman sculpture and their 20th
century copies. One example cited is an 18th century fake marble portrait bust
of Julius Caesar, complete with damaged nose. It was acquired in 1818 as a Roman
original by the British Museum. Kurz also describes fake Egyptian jewelry and
Etruscan pottery. As for ancient glass, old iridescence is layered with
corrosion. The fakes have a milky quality.
Sometimes, antiquities seemingly
disappear through a variety of circumstances. Such was the case of a
3,000-year-old statue from the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II. The 1,100- pound,
three-foot-high block sculpture was originally uncovered in the Nile Delta in
the late 19th century. In 1894, it was exhibited at the Chautauqua Institution,
Chautauqua, New York, after which it was crated up and forgotten, when the
museum closed its doors in 1930. It surfaced in 1983 when it sold at a Sotheby's
auction for $341,000.
If you are still interested, before buying, check for
historical significance, authentic age and good condition. Study museum
collections and ask questions.
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(All photos, courtesy James D.
Julia Spectacular.)
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Apulian red figure column krater (vase), ca. late 4th century B.C. Sold for
$3,450.
Free-blown translucent amber ancient marbled flask, ca. 1st century A.D. Sold
for $1,265.
Ancient Egyptian statue (funeral figure) turquoise blue faience from XXII
Dynasty (945-853 B.C.) Sold for $1,670.50. |
