Greek, Roman, Egyptian & Other Antiquities

The antiquities market comprises artefacts and works of art made by ancient civilisations including statues, coins, jewellery and arms and armour.

Provenance is one of the most important considerations when trading in this sector as there is a long history of looting from archaeological sites.

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Government issues export bar for Roman marble Celtic hounds in hope of finding UK buyer

08 July 2020

The owner of a pair of Celtic hounds has been temporarily prevented from exporting the sculptures by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

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Roman altar stands out among highlights of revamped art week

06 July 2020

More than 400 online enquiries came through the 'London Art Week' (LAW) website during its preview day last Thursday as it kicked off a new virtual format.

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The show goes on: London Art Week galleries open doors for a modified event

02 July 2020

An impressive Roman funerary altar is among the highlights at London Art Week (LAW), which promises to have much life starting with a preview day on July 2 and opening to the public on July 3.

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Jewels of the Egyptian 12th Dynasty emerge in Cambridge sale

29 June 2020

Archaeological discoveries were a continuous source of inspiration for jewellery in the 19th century. Ancient goldsmithing techniques were studied and relearned. Jewels found during excavations of Roman, Egyptian, Hellenistic and particularly Etruscan sites were copied or reinterpreted.

Greek bronze Corinthian helmet

Overall total at Christie’s Classic Week falls as sales pushed back until the autumn

25 June 2020

The postponement of three top-end paintings and objects sales meant that the overall total generated by Christie’s latest ‘Classic Week’ in New York was well down on previous years.

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Allow access to antiquities files, says Christie’s

22 June 2020

Following the removal of four lots from a New York sale, Christie’s has expressed frustration at being denied access to key information on possible looted antiquities.

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Tablet with ‘the earliest known record of any personal name in history’ offered at Bloomsbury Auctions

15 June 2020

An ancient writing tablet made famous by Yuval Noah Harari in his bestseller 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' comes for auction in London next month.

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Market for illicit antiquities valued ‘in millions not billions’

15 June 2020

The antiquities trade has welcomed a new independent report that estimates the volume of looted objects on the market is much smaller than previous reports have suggested.

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Sotheby’s loses New York court case against Greece over ancient horse figurine

10 June 2020

The Greek ministry of culture has won a court ruling over auction house Sotheby’s involving the ownership of an 8th century BC horse figurine.

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I’ll get my sandals – a big welcome for Roman bronze

08 June 2020

Among the best-performing lots at the latest mammoth sale held by TimeLine in Harwich, Essex was this 1st-2nd century hollow-formed bronze foot.

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An Arts and Crafts lamp, an Ercol bench and a Roman bronze foot are among the five lots to watch at auction this week

01 June 2020

With estimates from £200-20,000 here are five previews of upcoming items this week.

Roman bronze arm

Roman bronze arm leads Daniel Katz sale at Sotheby’s

01 June 2020

A Roman bronze from the 1st century AD drew fervent competition and led Sotheby’s sale of works from the collection of London dealer Daniel Katz.

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Antiquities get ahead of the rest

25 May 2020

Among the top-estimated lots at the Lyon & Turnbull (25% buyer’s premium) sale of African & Oceanic Art, Antiquities and Natural History in Edinburgh on May 5 was a hammered bronze Apulo-Corinthian helmet from southern Italy, c.350-500BC.

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Antiquities headline Christie's ‘Classic Week’ online from June 2-19

18 May 2020

Offering a range of antiquities, Old Masters, 19th century art, sculpture, books and manuscripts, Christie’s ‘Classic Week’ of sales in New York will take place as a series of seven online auctions next month.

Greek bronze Corinthian helmet

Christie’s to stage ‘Classic Week’ as series of online auctions

14 May 2020

Christie’s has announced that its ‘Classic Week’ of sales in New York will now take place as a series of online auctions.

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Fake Sumerian cuneiform tablets seized at airport

11 May 2020

A group of smuggled Mesopotamian ‘antiquities’ destined for collectors in the UK was discovered to be fake and seized by Border Force.

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From Roman fragments to jigsaws: dealers sell for charity

11 May 2020

Dealers might not be on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis but many are trying to do their bit through charity sales. Here is a quick look at some of the businesses pledging proceeds to good causes.

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Fake Mesopotamian antiquities seized at Heathrow airport with help of Border Force officers and the British Museum

05 May 2020

A group of Mesopotamian antiquities destined for collectors in the UK was discovered to be fake and seized in an operation by Border Force and the British Museum.

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Ancient Greek helmet and Martin Brothers’ vase are among four lots to watch at auction this week

04 May 2020

With estimates from £50-9000 here are four previews of upcoming items this week.

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Coronavirus: Dealers sell antiquities to give NHS and homeless charities a boost

30 April 2020

When coronavirus first led to a UK lockdown, some dealers reported feeling powerless to help or even to sell. Now traders are launching more and more efforts to transact while doing some good.

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