Catalogue texts for past Malter Galleries auctions

 

A Small and Select Group of Ancient Art from Around the World

Sunday, April 1st, 2007
At Malter Galleries in Encino, CA

 

go to top Ancient Egyptian - Stone

1054. Pre-Dynastic Egypt, c. 5000 – 3000 BC. A small tan flint wide toothed saw. Intact and a handsome example. L: 2 ½”. From the Leighton Wilkie collection, accompanied by a card stating the piece was acquired from a Mr. Hall from the Winchester Arms Museum. $200

1055. Pre-Dynastic Egypt, c. 5000 – 3000 BC. A large granite axe head with nice deep gray colors with black veins. Well formed and from the Thebes area. 3 ¼” x 2 5/8”. >From the Leighton Wilkie collection. $300

1056. Pre-Dynastic Period, c. 4000 – 3000 BC. A lot of three choppers, one in basalt with a well developed end, L: 2 5/8”. The second example is over brown chert and shows wear from use and good patination, L: 1 ¾”. The third example is of a banded green stone with some good wear and is a neat example, L: 1 5/8”. All part of the Layton Wilkie collection. $200/3

go to top Ancient Egyptian - Bronze

1057. Late Period, c. 26 th Dynasty, 664 – 343 BC. A fine bronze amulet of Osiris holding crook and flail. A detailed Isis and loop on his backside with small cat at his feet. H: 4.25". On custom stand. Ex Stuart Malter Collection. Joel Malter Collection, ROA-1961. $1,500

1058. Late Period, c.664 – 343 BC. A bronze statuette of the god Amun-Re, wearing headdress of solar disc and plumes, hand pendant at sides. Some repair to legs and top of headdress missing, otherwise an attractive example of this scarcer god in bronze. H: 5 5/8”. Mounted on a wooden base. From a 19 th Century English collection. $400

1059. Late Period, c. 664 – 343 BC. A lot of 2 cast bronze amulets of Osiris. The smaller is quite simple, but the larger example more elaborate, but still retains the original thick patination as found. Both are intact, the larger just missing the tang which attached it at some time to a base. Heights 2 ¼” & 3 ¼”. $250/2

1060. Late Period, c. 664 – 343 BC. A bronze image of Horus in falcon-form, wearing double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. The legs are missing and the surfaces are a bit rough, but the overall form is attractive. H: 2 ¼”; L: 2 ½”. $250

1061. Late Period, c. 664 – 343 BC. A lot of 2 weathered bronze amulets. The first is of Nefertum and the second of Ra, wearing double crown. Both missing the legs past the kilt and have heavy corrosion and thick patination. Lengths 2 ¼” and 2 ½”. $250/2

1062. Late Period, c. 664 – 343 BC. A bronze feather from a large Atef crown of Osiris, with ram’s horn at the bottom and uraeus to one side. Intact and uncleaned as found with crusty patination. L:m3 ¼”. Also included is a Greco-Roman knife with remains of iron blade still attached to the handle, which is fashioned into the head of a dog, L: 3 ¼”. Two interesting items in the lot. $200/2

go to top Ancient Egyptian - Ushabtis

1063. 3 rd Intermediate Period, 21 st - 22 nd Dynasty, . An overseer or “reis” ushabti, wearing customary kilt of rank. Some blue glaze remains, but overall the piece is weathered a bit and missing the feet. L: 3 ¼”. Ex Boston Museum of Fine Arts, with museum numbers inked in red on the backside. $200

1064. 3 rd Intermediate Period, 22 nd Dynasty, . A faience ushabti with some light blue glaze remaining. Of stocky design with some black cosmetic details on face as well as text down front, pick and hoe across chest and seed bag over shoulders. The figures wears the shesh headband, commonly seen on ushabtis of the 3 rd Intermediate period. Intact. L: 4 ¼”. Ex Boston Museum of Fine Arts, with museum numbers inked in red on the backside. $375

1065. Late Period, c. 664 – 30 BC. A nice turquoise blue faience ushabti, lacking an inscription, but with nicely molded facial details. Intact with superbly preserved glaze. L: 3 ½”. Ex. Boston Museum of Fine Arts. $375

1066. Late Period, c. 664 – 30 BC. A faience ushabti with faded light blue colors and simply molded features. Intact. L: 3 ¼”. Ex Boston Museum of Fine Arts, with museum numbers inked in red on the backside. $275

1067. Late Period, c. 664 – 30 BC. A light blue-green faience ushabti, intact but possessing simple features. L: 3 ¼”. Ex Boston Museum of Fine Arts, with museum numbers inked in red on the backside. $225

1068. Late Period, c. 664 – 30 BC. A lot of 3 faience ushabtis, each ex. Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Each is simply molded and retail nice blue glaze. One is missing the feet and each possesses museum numbers in red ink on the back. Lengths from 1 ¾” to 1 ¾”. $200/3

go to top Ancient Egyptian - Scarabs

1069. 2 nd Intermediate period, c. 1630 – 1570 BC. A white steatite scarab, no glaze, of tabular form. On base are symmetric signs of power and prestige flanking the amuletic name of King Seostris III of the Middle Kingdom above the sign for “gold”. Intact. 19 x 14mm. $200

1070. New Kingdom, 1539 – 1075 BC. A steatite scarab with some areas of remaining glaze, no gone brown. On base a bee, a symbol of kingship, above the cartouche of Thutmose III. Some minor chipping, but a nice example probably dating towards the end of his reign, c.1450 – 1425 BC. 21 x 16mm. $250

1071. New Kingdom, 1539 – 1075 BC. A steatite plaque, no glaze, with both sides inscribed with characters. The first side with three registers of “on Ra” signs in a repeating manner. The backside shows a falcon before a cartouche of the king Thutmose III, below stated “beloved of Amen-re” in short form. Intact and probably from the Levante as the 2 nd Intermediate style of the front side still continued into the New Kingdom in that area. An interesting piece. 18 x 13mm. $275

1072. New Kingdom, 1539 – 1075 BC. A steatite scarab proclaiming “Amen gives life and stability”. Nicely detailed and from an old European collection. 14 x 10mm. $200

1073. Late Period, c.664 – 30 BC. A green steatite scarab with an bird carved frontally on the base. Nice color and may be from the Levante. 13 x 11mm. $200

1074. Lot of 2 scarabs. The first is 2 nd Intermediate, x. 1630 – 1570 BC with symmetric signs, 16 x 11mm; the second is New Kingdom, 1539 – 1075 BC, with the name of Thutmose III on the base,18 x 13mm. $250/2

1075. Lot of 2 Scarabs. The first is New Kingdom, 1539 – 1070 BC, showing a figure flanked by to winged vultures, 17 x 13mm; The second is 3 rd Intermediate Period, with the roped border enclosing uraeii (cobras) flanking a Kheper sign, 18 x 14mm. Both good examples. $250/2

1076. Lot of 3 pieces, a scarab, a scaraboid and a plaque. All are in nice condition, the small scaraboid being quite late, Greco-Roman from Naukratis perhaps. Sizes from 10mm to 13mm in length.

go to top Ancient Egyptian - Misc

1077. Roman Egypt, 1 st – 2 nd Century AD. An iron agricultural implement with a large rectangular blade and square handle. Some heavy flaking and oxidation, but it has been stabilized, L: 5”. Also included is an iron Axe-head from the same period, heavily oxidized and broken at the socket, roughly 5” in length. See Petrie, Tools and Weapons, pl. LXVII for examples of the agricultural tool. Ex Leighton Wilkie collection. $250/3

go to top Ancient Glass

1078. Holy Land, c. 1 st – 2 nd Century AD. A nice and attractive flask with bell shaped body, long tubular neck and slightly turned opening. Wonderful iridescence. Choice! H: 5.5". $350

1079. Roman glass, c. 1 st – 3 rd Century AD. A translucent lime green colored “candlestick” shaped flask with spiral ribbing on lower half of tall and tubular shaped neck. Appears to have been re-attached at bottom on neck. H: 6.5". $650

1080. Holy Land, c. 1 st – 3 rd Century AD. A lot of 3 light greenish blue glass vials with long necks, rounded bodies and flared mouths of varying degrees. Two of the vessels have pinched necks. The shortest example with minor repair to one side and each with good iridescence. Heights from 3 ½” to 4 7/8”. $350/3

1081. Holy Land, c. 1 st – 3 rd Century AD. A lot of 2 attractive vials, each of light blue glass with attractive iridescence and pinched necks. Both intact and choice examples. Heights 4” & 4 ¼”. $350/2 2047. $475

1082. Byzantine glass, c. 6 th – 9 th Century. A lot of two small glass flasks, both similar in size. One of pale translucent green color with bulbous and bumpy texture on body; short and wide flared neck. H: 2.25". Second piece of dark green color with 5 small, “pinch-like” protrusions at top of bulbous body. Short tubular neck with flat and flared rim. H: 2.5". Two vessels in the lot. $300/2

go to top Beads & Necklaces

1083. Near East, c.1000 BC – AD 300. A strand of mixed stone and glass beads. Some of the stones are shaped and consist of clear quartz, amethyst, carnelian, Jet, chalcedony and sardonyx. The glass beads are round or tubular, some with fantastic iridescence. Strand contains about 53 beads. $300

1084. Near East, c. 1200 – 200 BC. A strand of faience, stone and glass beads. The beads show some wear, but make an interesting group for study, a few of the long faience beads re worn cylinder seals. 53 beads/seals on the strand. $300

1085. Near East, c. 1200 – 200 BC. A strand of faience, stone, shell and glass beads. The beads show some wear, but make an interesting group for study Some of the small glass beads show eyes, details or bright colors. Approximately 83 beads/seals on the strand. $300

1086. Near East, c.700 - 100 BC. A bracelet composed of tubular turquoise glazed Egyptian faience beads and small glass or stone beads. Restrung and wearable with modern clasp. About 21 beads on the bracelet. $150

go to top Mediterranean Antiquities

1087. Roman, c. 100-300AD., a tall ladle or deep spoon. Long and flat handle ending in a point; spoon is deep and semi-rectangular in shape. Nice pale green patina. L: 8.25". $300 Bianco

1088. Roman, Mixed lot of various bronze items from the Leighton Wilkie collection. There is a large handle from vessel, part of an Ancient Egyptian bronze knife, 2 Near Eastern fibulae, a Luristan horse decoration with bronze rings, a long pin from a large fibula, and a length of double-looped bronze chain. An interesting assortment with great provenance. Ex Leighton Wilkie collection. $350/lot

1089. Roman, c. AD 200 - 400. A lot of 5 bronze pieces. Three belt buckles and a knife. Knife broken; with iron blade and bronze handle. Handle is incised with circular designs, L: 8". Fourth piece is a Medieval bell (with crack). H: 4". Buckles are 1.5" and 2.25" long. $300/5

1090. Roman, c. AD 100 – 300. A shield type fibula with 3 small dangling ornaments on bronze chains. Overall length is 4 1/8". Intact and nice. $250

1091. Roman, 1st Century AD. A small and fine bronze fibula in the form of a Romulus and Remus suckling she-wolf. Pin intact; nice patina. L: 1.5". $300

1092. Roman, 2 nd – 4 th Century AD. A lot of 3 bronze fibulae. The first is of the “Dolphin-Type”, the second of flat open-work design, almost like a stylized heart; the third is a rectangular, flat example with much openwork. All with pin, one with original coin. Each is intact and attractive. Lengths from 1 ½” to 1 7/8”. $275/3

1093. Eastern Roman Empire, c. AD 250 - 300. A lovely rectangular marble funerary stele cut in high and detailed relief. Its depicts two standing togate male figures standing side by side and facing forward, their inside arms are placed across their bellies, outside arm is straight down at side. Well preserved with an attractive rust colored patina throughout. Size is 11 3/8" length; 7 5/8" width; 1 3/8" thickness. On custom Lucite stand. $7,500

1094. Medieval Europe, 11 th – 12 th Century. A beautiful necklace composed of linked segmented spans of looped bronze wire with an open work pendant and 3 dangles of twisted wire terminating in small pellets. Intact and lovely. Deep olive green patina. Also included is a pair of matching earrings with “French” hooks and similar dangling elements. Necklace is 16", earring 2.5". A nice lot. All are wearable. $750/2

go to top Near Eastern Antiquities

1095. Near-Eastern, 2 nd Millennium BC. A large and dense red and orange slip colored terra cotta ram’s head. Bottom of neck is flat and wide as the base. Spiraled and simplistically incised horns as well as incised face adorn upper section. ex Sotheby. H: 6 ¼”. Some restoration on round base. Ex. Joel L. Malter Collection, ROA-794. $2,500

1096. Holy Land, Hebron, Iron Age, c. 1500 – 1000 BC. An interesting pair of primitive looking terra cotta figures. A horse and a standing and well endowed female with her hands resting under her breasts. Both have some original white paint still evident. Repairs evident on horse. Both with some modern cleaning. A nice pair. Height if female is 6", horse is 4.5" tall. $400/2

1097. Iran, Amlash, c. 1400 - 1200 BC. A finely crafted gray-ware ceramic rasp like instrument in the shape of a cucumber. Top has long and open slit, hollow center with perpendicular incised grooves running along slit. Eight holes for additional notes and wide loop handle are on bottom of instrument. L: 5.75". Ex. Jay Gluck Collection. Rare. $500

1098. Iran, Luristan, c. 1000 - 800 BC. a small duck-billed bronze axe head. L: 3.5", H: 1.75". This shape, scarce this nice! Very attractive mottled deep green patina. Rare! Joel L. Malter Collection, ROA-2106. $700

1099. Iran, Luristan, c. 1200 BC. A small axe head in bronze with nice patination. See Godard XV, 45. Ex Malter auction Dec. 4, 05, lot 1276. Attractive brown-green patina. Ex. Joel L. Malter Collection, ROA-2271.

1100. Western Anatolia, Hittite, c. 1200 - 1000 BC. A bronze bull standing on all fours; Alacahoyuk type, with long horns and partial ring in his snout. L: 3". Thick patina, Ex. Jones Coll. Joel L. Malter Collection, ROA-2395. Choice. $1000

1101. Near East, c.7 th – 5 th Century BC. An alabaster fish amulet. The body is nicely decorated imitation of scales and the tail fin is detailed as well. The hole for the eye also serves as a suspension loop. L: 1 ¼”. Intact and nice. $200

1102. Near East, 7th – 4th Century BC. A nice fertility figure with short hair, bulging eyes and broad collar, hand held up over her breast. The body is columnar with a flared, cupped base. Intact with some mineral encrustations on the surface. H: 3 ¾”. A handsome example. See Bibliotheca Mesopotamia, Vol. 22, Terracotta Figurines and Model Vehicles, Type 1B. Also See Ancient Near Eastern Terracottas by P.R.S. Moorey, 362-366 for similar types. $375

1103. Syria, 5 th – 10 th Century AD. A lot of 3 black chlorite amulets. The first with a bird-like end with a cross on either side, the second with an Aramaic-looking inscription and the last with crescents and pierced for suspension. Lengths from 24mm to 28mm. A lot of 2 interesting pieces worthy of further study. From the collection of Joel L. Malter. $300/3

1104. Near East, a lot of small ancient lead items. Lot includes an Islamic weight and 6 bullae, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic. $125/6

go to top Central Asia

1105. Indus Valley, Mehrgarh, c. 3500 - 2500 BC. A miniature creme slip terra cotta humped bull with long curved horns. Entire bull is adorned with pale gray line painted design. L: 2.75". “T” design on forehead with pug nose. Choice. Ex. Joel L. Malter Collection, ROA-262. $350

1106. Indus Valley, Mehrgarh, c. 3500 - 2500 BC. A miniature terra cotta effigy in the form of 2 humped bulls, side by side. Some linear decoration in dark pigment on back. Intact and interesting. L: 2 ¼”. Malter July 10, 2005, lot 207. Ex. Joel L. Malter Collection, ROA-263. $325

1107. Turkmenia, Altyn Depe, c. 2000 BC. A banded agate “evil eye” amulet bead drilled for suspension, flat on one side. W: 6.5 cm. Masson, pl. XXI. A beauty. The largest eye bead from the ancient world this cataloguer has ever seen. From the collection of Joel Malter. $3000
go to top Ancient Lamps

1108. Holy Land, Iron Age, ca. 1200 - 536 BC. This wheel made buff clay oil lamp with raised base is pinched to form the spout. A nice example with heavy encrustation. 5-3/4" long, 6" wide, 2-1/2" high. See Noam Adler, Oil Lamps of the Holy Land, for similar examples. $175

1109. Holy Land, Iron Age, c. 1200 - 536 BC. This wheel made orange clay oil lamp with round base is pinched to form the spout. Tiny rim chip, else a superb example with nice encrustation. 6 ¼” long, 6 ½” wide, 2 ¼” high. See Noam Adler, Oil Lamps of the Holy Land, for similar examples. $175

1110. Holy Land, Iron Age, c. 1200 - 536 BC. This wheel made orange clay oil lamp with round base is pinched to form the spout. A nice example with good encrustation. 5 ½” long, 6" wide, 2-1/2" high. See Noam Adler, Oil Lamps of the Holy Land, for similar examples. $175

1111. Holy Land, Judaea, Iron Age oil lamp, c. 1200 - 536 BC. This wheel made orange clay oil lamp with round base is pinched to form the spout. A fine example with rolled rim and good mineral encrustation. 6” long, 5 ½” wide, 2 ¼” high. See Noam Adler, Oil Lamps of the Holy Land, for similar examples. $175

1112. Holy Land, Judaea, Iron Age oil lamp, c. 1200 - 536 BC. This wheel made buff clay oil lamp with round base is pinched to form the spout. A thin-walled example with nice mineral encrustation and blackened spout. 5 ¼” long, 4 ½” wide, 1 ¾” high. See Noam Adler, Oil Lamps of the Holy Land, for similar examples. $175

1113. Byzantine-Islamic, 7 th – 13h Century AD. A mould made terracotta lamp. Ovoid with sharp carination. High raised rim around fill-hole and raised rim in a V-shape around spout and wick-hole. The top of the spout and the body is adorned with lines and hatching design. Small knobbed handle, part of which now missing. Circular raised base. A choice example. L: 4 ¼". See Anawati pg. 101, C330 for a similar lamp. $150

1114. Lot of 2 oil lamps. The first is an Islamic mould made lamp from the 7 th – 13h Century AD with linear designs. L: 3 ¾". See Anawati pg. 101. The second lamp is from Asia Minor, c. 2 nd Century with an inward-sloping, plain disk surrounding by molding. Intact with signs of use. L: 3 ¾". See Anawati pg. 72, C222. Two lamps in the lot. $250/2

1115. Lot of 2 Roman oil lamps. The first is nice red ware example, c.1 st Century AD, L: 2 ½”. The second example is another red ware example of simple discus design, c.2 nd Century AD, 3 ¼”. To attractive little lamps in the lot. MG-183 $300/2

1116. Lot of 4 terracotta oil lamps. The first is from the Holy Land, Roman, 1 st – 2 nd Century AD. The second is Later Roman or Byzantine, c. 4 th – 7 th Century AD. The third is Islamic, c.8 th – 10 th Century, some green glaze remains. The last is a “Frog” Lamp from Roman Egypt, 3rr – 4 th Century AD, some minor losses on surfaces. Lengths from 3” to 4”. Bianco $200/4

go to top Pottery

1117. Holy Land, Hebron, Iron Age, c. 1500 – 1000 BC. A fine pale creme slip terra cotta “teapot”. Round body with short tubular spout and very small looped handle at back. Top has flared opening (some old chips). Attractive! H: 5". $400

1118. South Italy, Daunian, c. 300 BC. A lovely creme slip pot with single strap handle and wide horizontal pale brown colored band around its mid-section. Top has wide open mouth that has same color band. Some repair evident; still nice and attractive. H: 5.75". $350

1119. Byzantine Period, c. 7 th –10 th Century AD. A tall and attractive pale orange slip terra cotta pitcher with single strap handle and trefoil spout. Bulbous body of pot with finely incised horizontal lines. Repairs evident throughout; still nice and attractive. H: 9.25". $400

go to top China

1120. China, Han Dynasty, c. 206 BC – AD 220. A handsome jade horse bust, carved in shades of green to rust earthly colors. The piece is exquisitely executed with a peculiar and unique grinning expression and has ancient calligraphy possibly describing a horse belonging to the Royal Emperors stables. H: 8”. Found in choice condition with a small chip to the base. A very nice example. $1100

1121. China, Rare Northern Qi Dynasty warrior, c. AD 550 – 577. Wonderfully executed in polychrome pottery with nice expressive facial features and detail depicting a real life army soldier. This soldier holds rectangular shaped shield in left hand. These effigies were entombed as part of funeral furnishings. It measures approximately 8.5". Red and gray earth tones on creme colored pottery. This effigy has some wonderful surface deposits and abrasions consistent with its age. A highly sought after piece from this rare and short lived Chinese Dynasty. $1000

1122. China, Rare Northern Qi Dynasty warrior, c. AD 550 – 577. A wonderfully executed in polychrome pottery with nice expressive facial features and detail depicting a real life army soldier. Soldier holds a rectangular shaped shield flat up against his mid-section with his left hand. These effigies were entombed as part of funeral furnishings. It measures approximately 9.75". Red and gray earth tones on creme colored pottery. This effigy has some wonderful surface deposits and abrasions consistent with its age. A highly sought after piece from this rare and short lived Chinese Dynasty. $1000

1123. China, Rare Northern Qi Dynasty warrior, c. AD 550 – 577. A nice polychrome pottery with nice expressive facial features and detail depicting a real life army soldier. These effigies were entombed as part of funeral furnishings. It measures approximately 10.25". Red and gray earth tones on creme colored pottery. This effigy has some wonderful surface deposits and abrasions consistent with its age. A highly sought after piece from this rare and short lived Chinese Dynasty. Head has been re-attached. $750

1124. Burma, 19 th Century. A bronze devil figure holding a serpent in his right hand and wearing a second around his neck. He holds a plant-like implement in his left hand. H: 6” and quite fierce looking. $300

go to top End of Auction