Gallery Elder

Ancestral Puebloan or Anasazi bowl, decorated foliage interior. 950 - 1450 AD.

Available.

Incredible anthropomorphic burial urn from the Chimila culture of Colombia, circa 800 - 1400 AD. These vessels were created to be placed in chambers within shaft tombs of Northwestern Colombia, built to hold skeletal remains - placed in post cremation ritual. The vessels are said to be ph***ic representations, and the idea of placing bones within these vessels, buried in womb-like shaft tombs lent to the idea of bones being the seeds of which new life grew.

This vessel, beautifully well intact, shows a bulbous formed body with hands reaching around the vessels body before ritual garments flow down the centre. The face, built as the urn lid, with well defined features, small slit eyes and mouth, nicely protruding nose and ceremonial headdress.

Provenance: Private Montreal collection

Available.

An Ancient Greek Corinthian Lebes Gamikos vessel of the most beautiful form, circa 4th century BCE. An incredible vessel, Lebes Gamikos vessels were used in ceremonial settings, most often associated with weddings, although their exact purpose remains uncertain - likely a vessel to sprinkle the bride with water before the ceremony. With two glazed handles and a bulbous body, a gaping mouth with formed rim, the form of this vessel is eccentric and beautiful. Exhibiting fingerprint markings from the original maker, 2400+ years ago, the feeling of humanity echoes through this. In impeccable condition. A piece perfect for display or as a bud vase for dried flowers.

Provenance: Private Montreal Antiquity Collection.

Available.

Took some friends on a field trip.

First of a series of short editorials showcasing products from the gallery, outside of the gallery - with this set being shot outside of a mid 19th century monastic church and convent, soon to be unfortunately demolished.

Battle Scene, Circle of Pieter Snayers (1592 - 1667).

Rare Apotropaic Lauze Stone Cross, 18th Century.

17th Century Dutch Brasa Candlestick.

Bronze Age Bactrian Aniconic Stone Idol.

All available.

A stunning and rare example of an Olmec Maskette, carved of green stone, from the Veracruz region of Mexico, circa 900 BCE. A beautiful example with lovely proportionality and almost swollen features. These masks were worn as bodily ornaments by high ranking elites, nobility or shamans in the Olmec culture as a show of status and rank and are believed to be carved in depiction of ancestral figures. A very rare example and extremely beautiful in it’s visual appeal - displayed on custom stand.

Provenance: important Canadian collection of antiquities, purchased through Doyle, New York, 2000’s.

Available.

Now live on our stories.

Limestone body of an ibis, statuary for ritual use, originally with bronze head - dating to the Middle Kingdom (2040 - 1782 BCE) of ancient Egypt. An object enigmatic beyond what a photo can capture.

An incredible and rare example of a Mezcala figure from the state of Guerrero, Mexico, carved of a black serpentine stone, circa 300 BCE. A fantastic example exhibiting deep detail in relief, showcasing the artistry and craft of this incredible figure - a form that has resonated through time and has had deep influence in modern and contemporary art and sculpture. Stylistically, this figure, on the Carlo Gay grading system of Mezcala figures, is of M-22 in form. A lovely example stood upon a custom stand.

Provenance: Important Canadian collection, 2000’s. Purchased through Arte Primitivo by repute.

Available.

Beautiful stone architectural feature from a medieval fountain depicting a cross, circa 13th century, from a well known hub for period Knight’s Templar activity, Tomar, Portugal. Of lovely scale and proportion, the cross in wonderful, deep relief, with a carved verso for water to pour through in fountain setting. Quite a striking presence, displayed on contemporary iron stand.

Available.