Well, it seems we're doing this as a pile-on this year, rather than as individual threads. Works for me...keeps it consolidated.
I suppose that 2020 was the year I darn near gave up coin collecting. My single coin pickup this year was way back in January. It was a van't Haaff plate coin, from the collection of a recently deceased collector who - based on his last name - was, in all likelihood, a relative who I did not know. I wrote about it
here.
I had intended to return to some vigorous coin collecting this year, after detouring last year to satisfy my thirst for ancient weapons, but it just didn't happen. Not only did I not collect coins this year but, in fact, I sold off quite a few coins to help fund my antiquities purchases. I will continue to sell coins from my Parthian collection through 2021 and beyond. (I will be holding onto, and occasionally adding to the Vologases III "tiara type tets" that I like so much, however...and I will continue to occasionally purchase Elymaeans that pique my interest.)
But, my 2020 was focused on beefing up my
Bronze Weaponry of Western Asia collection, and on starting a collection of ancient pottery. Both of these collecting areas are fraught with challenges, not the least of which is the ridiculous number of fakes on the market - including, I suspect, through what are supposed to be respectable platforms. I am proceeding with purchases very, very carefully, and am particularly seeking material with solid provenance.
10.
Tie for the tenth spot:AE Dagger/Short Sword Possibly NW Iran
1200-800 BC
44.2cm (17.4")
I added a number of blades to the collection this year. This one stands out due to its length. I believe it's the third longest in my collection at this
point. (See what I did there?)
AE Spear Butt (Counterpoise)Western Asia (likely NW Iran)
Early first millennium BC
18.1cm (7.13")
Ex-Private UK Collection
I picked up three spear butts this year and like them all. They're all in typically rough shape, but this one may be the nicest of the bunch. (There's an obvious joke I could be making here, but I'm striving to rise above my childish inclinations...it's been a real battle)
9.
BowlCypriot
Cypro-Geometric III, Early Iron Age
c. 850 - 700 BC
15.8 cm (w) x 38 mm (h)
(6 3/16" x 1 1/2")
Ex-private collection, Kent, UK. Acquired 1960's - 1980's; underside of base has an export license reference number from the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.
I'm really fond of this one despite the breakage and repair.
8.
Bucchero Ware ChaliceEtruscan/Etruria (Central Italy)
c. 7th - 6th century BC
12.7 cm (w) x 89 mm (h)
(5" x 3.5")
Ex-Wesley Laws Collection
An impressive example of Etruscan pottery from an important collection.
7.
Tripod BowlNW Iran
c. 2000 - 1500 BC
11.43 cm (w) x 10.8 cm (h)
(4.5" x 4.25")
Ex-Marcel Gibrat Collection
From an important collection, and from the same period and location as most of my weapons.
6.
GuttosGreek
c. 5th - 4th century BC
12 cm (l) x 60 mm (h)
(4 3/4" x 2 3/8")
Generally, I like the rougher surfaces and the occasionally quirky forms of some of the Iranian ceramics. But this Greek piece spoke to me.
5.
PitcherCentral or NW Iran
c. 1000 BC
11.18 cm (w) x 12.7 cm (h)
(4.4"x 5")
Ex-Marcel Gibrat Collection
Good provenance, quirky form, patterning still visible...what's not to like?
4.
AE Spearhead (Dealer's picture; item is en route)
Western Asia (likely NW Iran, and quite possibly Marlik...It is a nice match to figure 130, Plate X, in Ezat O. Negahban's
Weapons from Marlik)
1200-800 BC
31cm (12.2")
This piece fills a gap. I've wanted an ancient Iranian socketed spearhead of this type since I started collecting weaponry from Western Asia, but the prices have been off-putting. Prior to this purchase, I only owned one socketed spearhead, and that one is of an entirely different form.
3.
JugNW Iran
12th - 10th century BC
13.97 cm (w) x 15.24 cm (h)
(5 1/2" x 6")
Ex-Arthur M. Sackler collection.
From an extremely important collection (same as the next one). This one has held up well through the millennia.
2.
Footed Cup or BowlParthian
Mid third century BC to early third century AD
13.34 cm (w) x 11.43 cm (h)
(5.25" x 4.5")
Ex-Arthur M. Sackler collection.
Trifecta (or, if hockey's your game, a hat trick): Parthian, ex-Sackler, AND published (in Trudy S. Kawami's
Ancient Iranian Ceramics from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections). Thus, high on my list this year.
1.
Vessel/Pot(Likely NW Iran, based on similarity to vessels excavated at Tepe Giyan, Godin Tepe, and Tepe Sialk in NW Iran)
c. 1000 BC
24.1 cm (w) x 20.32 cm (h)
(9 ½" x 8")
Ex-Marcel Gibrat Collection
This is the largest and, when seen in person, perhaps the most impressive of my pottery pieces. It comes from an important collection. My fave pickup of the year.
Posted 12/05/2020 09:55 am
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