TimeLine Auctions - September 2022 Auction

Welcome to our third ancient art, antiquities and coin auction of 2022. Throughout August, objects are available to view by appointment at our Head Office in Harwich. On 5th and 6th September, viewing will continue in London at the May Fair Hotel. Our traditional reception will commence at 6pm on 5th September with the customary live music, Bollinger Champagne and canapés, where you may continue to peruse the objects on offer and socialise with friends and colleagues until 9pm.

We will be joined on 5th September by Egyptologist Paul Whelan, who holds degrees in Ancient Egyptian and the Near Eastern History and Egyptian Archaeology from University College London. Paul has lectured on Egyptology at the University of Reading and the University of Oxford and published a range of articles on the subject. He will be speaking on ‘The Buried ‘Menageries’ of Egypt’ at 6.30pm.

As our clients are already aware, ancient antiquities recently made international headlines when a 1st century Roman bronze statue of Bacchus as a child made its way back to the Musée du Pays Châtillonnais in France. The statue was stolen in December 1973 and TimeLine Auctions is proud to have been involved in its successful return, working together with the famed Dutch art detective, Arthur Brand. Arthur was unfortunately unable to attend our last reception but we are glad to announce that he will join us as a guest at the Champagne reception on 5th September. His presentation will outline the circumstances of the statue’s return and the importance of his ongoing efforts to recover stolen art.

Schedule:
Monday 5th September
12pm: Start of viewing
6pm: Champagne Reception

6.30pm: The Buried ‘Menageries’ of Egypt by Paul Whelan
7.30pm: Recovering the Worlds Most Precious Stolen Art by art detective Arthur Brand

9pm: Close of reception and viewing

Tuesday 6th September
9am: Start of viewing
10am: Antiquities Auction Day 1 (The May Fair Hotel)

Wednesday 7th - Saturday 10th September
Days 2, 3, 4 & 5 (The Court House, Harwich)

This sale contains treasures from many private collections, including that of Alf Baxendale (1941-2016), a keen Egyptologist, member of the Egyptology Society and founder trustee of the Amarna Trust. Also included are objects from the collections of brooch collector Richard Hattatt (d.1992), Dr. David Evans, and Nik Douglas (1944-2012), a renowned author and curator. These are complemented by Part 4 of the Albert Ward collection, several collections from mudlarks and other English found items, and a range of exquisite objects selected from many of London’s ancient art galleries.

All of the objects in this sale have been inspected in person by members of a vetting committee, comprising more than a dozen archaeologists, specialists and professionals. The committee, which includes several professionals from other European countries, gathered this year on 12th - 13th July 2022 to assess the selected lots.

Some highlights of this sale include: Lot 35, an Egyptian Colossal Basalt Statue Clenched Hand of a King, guided at £12,000-£17,000; lot 66, a Greek Attic Black-Figure Kylix Eye Cup, guided at £18,000-£24,000; lot 105, a Large Greek Decorated Bronze Hydria, guided at £18,000-£24,000; lot 113 a large Roman Fresco Panel with Birds, guided at £12,000-£17,000; lot 123, a Monumental Late Roman Marble Military Eagle, guided at £30,000-£40,000; lot 327, a South Italic Greek Pilos Helmet with Gorgoneion, guided at £20,000-£30,000; and lot 411, a Medieval Limoges Processional Cross, guided at £40,000-£60,000.

The May sale was another international success with over 84% of lots offered being sold and acquisitions being made from 42 countries. Some of the star lots sold included: lot 89, 'The Everleigh' Romano-British Seated Figurine of a Philosopher sold for £9,750; lot 103, a Marble Sarcophagus Excavated in Rome by the Duke of Buckingham in 1828, sold for £16,250; an Urartian Helmet with Worshipping Scenes and Crowned Kings, sold for £46,800; and lot 449, a Medieval carving 'The Lamentation' from the Workshop of Tilman Riemenschneider, sold for £36,400; all inc. bp.

As a new feature of our TimeLine bidding platform, clients will now hear an audible alarm three lots before their ‘watched lot(s)’ go under the hammer, alerting them that an item of interest is about to be offered for sale. I would also like to remind bidders that it is possible to change account preferences to receive an email when new lots are added to TimeLine Auctions that match recorded interests.

We are pleased to announce that Western Asiatic and Islamic specialist, Amin Rezai, is now working with us as a consultant after having worked with us on vetting and other areas for many years. Amin brings with him a lifelong experience of ancient objects and we greatly appreciate his valuable contributions.

This catalogue is dedicated to the famous archaeologist, Professor Manolis Andronikos, who excavated the tomb of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. The dedication can be found on the previous news item.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a good summer and an enjoyable and profitable participation in this sale.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Raffaele D’Amato
(Head of Antiquities
at TimeLine Auctions)