Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York organizes its first ancient glass exhibition

Étiquettes

beaker, Beaker with Greek Inscription, Cup with Gladiators, Dip Mold, Eastern Mediterranean, Ennion, Gaul, Glass, Head Flask, Lotus-Bud Beaker, Northern Italy, One-handled jug, Palestine, Pyxis with Lid, Rhineland, Ribbed bowl, Roman, Roman Empire, Syria, Western Asia

One-handled jug signed by Ennion, Roman, blown in a four-part mold, 1st half of 1st century A.D. Unknown provenance, but said to have been acquired from a collection near Naples, Italy. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

Ewer (detail), Ennion, Probably Syria, Possibly Palestine, 25-75. 59.1.76. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

NEW YORK, NY.- Glassmaking originated around 2500 B.C. in Mesopotamia, and by the mid-first millennium B.C. it had spread throughout the ancient world. The number of vessels made from glass remained limited, however, until the introduction of two important technical advances—the use of the blowpipe and closed multipart molds—in the late first century B.C. and the early first century A.D., respectively. These advances revolutionized the glass industry under the Roman Empire, making glass vessels accessible to all and allowing producers to create a wide range of shapes, sizes, and usages. Some of the earliest vessels made by mold blowing bear the names of the craftsmen who “signed” the molds.

Cup, Ennion, Syria; Palestine; Northern Italy, 25-75. 66.1.36. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

Cup (detail), Ennion, Syria; Palestine; Northern Italy, 25-75. 66.1.36. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

 Cup (top detail), Ennion, Syria; Palestine; Northern Italy, 25-75. 66.1.36. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

In the early first century A.D. the most outstanding examples of Roman mold-blown glass were made by a craftsman called Ennion, and products of his workshop are the focus of the exhibition Ennion: Master of Roman Glass, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is the first exhibition of ancient glass organized by the Metropolitan, which has one of the finest collections of this material in the world.

Knobbed or Lotus-Bud Beaker, Roman Empire, 59.1.80. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

Glassware—primarily jugs and cups—signed by Ennion was traded throughout the entire Mediterranean world and has been found during archaeological excavations at sites from Israel to Spain. Of the 37 complete or fragmentary vessels in the exhibition, 24 are by Ennion, including the Metropolitan Museum’s three signed pieces. Examples by other named glassworkers of the period—including one of only two intact works by Ennion’s closest rival, Aristeas, as well as examples of beakers signed by Jason, Neikais, and Meges—also are presented. A selection of unsigned blown glass that illustrates Ennion’s profound influence on the nascent Roman glass industry also is on view.

Dip Mold, probably Western Asia, 86.7.15. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

The exhibition features works from museums and private collections in Europe, Israel, and the United States. Lenders to the exhibition are The Corning Museum of Glass; Israel Antiquities Authority and the Israel Museum, Jerusalem; Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv; The British Museum; the Louvre; Museo di Antichità, Turin; Musei Civici del Castello Visconteo, Pavia; Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Adria; Yale University Art Gallery; Newark Museum; Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia; the Yunwai Lou Collection, New York; and the Strada Collection, Scaldasole, Italy. Six works were also lent by Dr. Shlomo Moussaieff, who had the initial concept for the exhibition.

 Cup with Gladiators, Roman Empire; Northern Italy; Rhineland; Gaul, 25-75. 54.1.84. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

Ancient glassworking techniques are demonstrated within the exhibition by means of a video that was commissioned by the Corning Museum of Glass and filmed at the Roman-style wood-fired furnace at Villa Borg, Germany.

Beaker with Greek Inscription, Roman Empire; Syria; Palestine, 1-99. 59.1.79. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

The exhibition was organized by Christopher S. Lightfoot, Curator, Department of Greek and Roman Art. Exhibition design is by Daniel Kershaw, Exhibition Design Manager; graphics are by Mortimer LeBigre; and lighting is by Clint Ross Coller and Richard Lichte, Lighting Design Managers, all of the Museum’s Design Department.

Bowl signed by Ennion, Roman, blown in four-part mold, 1st half of 1st century A.D. Said to be from Sidon, Lebanon Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Head Flask, Roman Empire, probably Eastern Mediterranean, 59.1.150. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

After the presentation at the Metropolitan Museum, the exhibition will be shown at the Corning Museum of Glass (May 15–October 19, 2015).

Beaker, Eastern Mediterranean, 68.1.9. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York. 

Pyxis with Lid, Eastern Mediterranean, probably Palestine, probably Syria, 55.1.68. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York. 

Ribbed Bowl, Roman Empire, possibly Italy, possibly Eastern Mediterranean, 79.1.39. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

Pitcher (detail), Roman Empire; probably Syria; possibly Palestine, 1-99. 65.1.2. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

Bottle Shaped Like a Bunch of Grapes (detail), Roman Empire, 1-99. 64.1.8. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

Double Head Flask, Roman Empire; probably Eastern Mediterranean, 200-225. 50.1.15. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

Beaker (detail), Roman Empire; possibly Northern Italy; possibly Gaul, 50-100. 58.1.32. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

Arthur Millner announces results of Islamic, Indian, Himalayan and South East Asian Art Sale

Étiquettes

13th-14th century, 15-16th century, 16th Century, 17th Century, 8th-9th Century, Bidri, Buff sandstone, circa 1800, Cuerda Seca tile, Deccan, Dome of the Rock, gilt-bronze figure, Jain head, Lahore, Madhya Pradesh, Mughal, Nepal, Ottoman Palestine, Punjab, Sakyamuni Buddha, Southern India, Syria, Talismanic bowl, Tibet, Vajradhara, Vajravarahi

A gilt bronze figure of Vajradhara, dating from the 15-16th century, sold to a Chinese buyer for £28,800 against an estimate of £3,000 – £5,000. It was given as a gift by the previous owner who served as a diplomat in India during the 1960s. Photo courtesy Arthur Millner

LONDON.- Arthur Millner- Islamic, Indian, Himalayan and South East Asian Works of Art online auction from 3rd – 6th November 2014 finished last night with some very good prices particularly amongst the bronze images.

Arthur Millner’s Islamic, Indian, Himalayan and South-East Asian Art was most comprehensive since his first online auction at 25 Blythe Road in April 2013, with over 400 lots. Included were a large selection of Himalayan, Indian and Asian bronzes with some very good prices achieved. All prices include buyers premium.

This Nepalese gilt bronze figure of Vajradhara, dating from the 15/16th century, sold to a Chinese buyer for £28,800 against an estimate of £3,000 – £5,000. It was given as a gift by the previous owner who served as a diplomat in India during the 1960s.

A gilt bronze figure of Vajradhara, Nepal, 15-16th century, sold to a Chinese buyer for £28,800 against an estimate of £3,000 – £5,000. Photo courtesy Arthur Millner

Seated on a double lotus throne, his arms crossed at his chest holding a vajra and ghanta, wearing elaborate crown and inlaid jewellery

Provenance: Private Collection, Spain. Given as a gift by the previous owner who served as a diplomat in India during the 1960s.

Condition: Gilding worn, sealing plate refixed.

Also, this Tibetan gilt bronze figure of Vajravarahi, from the 13th-14th century had an estimate of £7,000 – £9,000, and sold online for £15,600.

A gilt bronze figure of Vajravarahi, Tibet, 13th-14th century, 9.5cm high, estimate £7,000 – £9,000, sold online for £15,600. Photo courtesy Arthur Millner

The dancing goddess holding a karttrka in her raised right hand, a kapala in her left, clasping a khatvanga against her keft shoulder, wearing a long skull necklace, her jewellery and crown with turquoise and glass inlay, traces of red pigment in her hair, mounted on stand

The wrathful goddess Vajravarahi (‘Diamond Sow’) has a miniature sow’s face protruding from the side of her head. Vajravarahi is the consort of the important Buddhist yidam (tutelary deity) Samvara. She is also worshipped in her own right as the Protectress of the Hidden Knowledge and the Keeper of Secrets of Vajrayana Buddhism. Vajravarahi is the only goddess in Tibet who reincarnates in a recognised succession as the incumbent abbotess of Samding monastery near lake Yamdrok

Condition: Gilding worn in places, loss of ribbon on right.

A Ming bronze figure of Sakyamuni Buddha, circa 17th century, sold for £7,200 (with an estimate: £1,500 – £1,800).

A bronze figure of Sakyamuni Buddha, China, circa 17th century. 19.5cm high, estimate £1,500 – £1,800, sold for £7,200. Photo courtesy Arthur Millner

Seated in dhyana sauna on a double lotus throne, his right hand in bhumisparsa mudra, his left in dhyana mudra, with elongated ear lobes.

Provenance: Private European collection

Condition: Formerly lacquered and gilded, only traces remaining, base and contents missing.

Wood sculptures also did well with a selection of architectural carvings going over their estimates, and among the buff sandstone sculptures a monumental Jain head, from the 8/9th century sold for £3,600. The metalwork also achieved some high prices such as a Bidri Talismanic bowl, circa 1800s, selling for £2,280 against an estimate of £500 – £800. Islamic tiles had some good interest with a 17th century Mughal Cuerda Seca tile selling for £1,560, well over its estimate of £600 – £800, as did three 16th century Ottoman Dome of the Rock tiles, probably from Jerusalem, which sold for £1,920 against an estimate of £600 – £800.

A monumental Jain head, Madhya Pradesh, 8th-9th century. Estimate: £4,000 – £6,000. Sold for £3,600. Photo courtesy Arthur Millner

Buff sandstone, with elongated eyes, urna on his forehead and tightly curled hair, his head surmounted by a domed usnisa, 40cm high.

Provenance: British Private Collection, acquired by the vendor on the London art market around 1981. This superb over-lifesize head typifies the transitional style between the idealised naturalism if the Gupta period, and the more linear stylised idiom of the so-called mediaeval period. It would originally have formed part of a stele, as it is uncarved at the back. With its wide rounded face and distinctive eyes, it recalls the head of a Vishnu figure in the Norton Simon Museum: see Pratapaditya Pal, ‘Art from the Indian Subcontinent’, no.91

Condition: Old chips to facial features presumably from Muslim invaders, patches of filling around eyebrows, chin and cheeks.

A Bidri Talismanic bowl, Deccan, Southern India, circa 1800, 5.5cm high, 12.7cm diam. Estimate: £500 – £800. Sold for £2,280. Photo courtesy Arthur Millner

The inscription: Starting from the centre, an invocation to God: ya shafi ‘O the Healer!’; the nada ‘ali quatrain, a prayer that includes Qur’an, chapters LV (Al-Rahman), verse 60; CVI (Quraysh), verse 4; XVII (Al-Isra’), part of verse 82; XII (Yusuf), part of verse 64. A similar bidri talismanic bowl is in the Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Collection, Geneva, see Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, fig. 571.

Condition: Very small loss to inlay, otherwise good.

A Mughal Cuerda Seca tile, Probably Lahore, Punjab, India (now Pakistan), 17th century. Estimate: £600 – £800. Sold for £1,560. Photo courtesy Arthur Millner

Blue and turquoise glazed terracotta, of rectangular form, inscribed in a cartouche in nastaliq. 24 x 33 x 3.4cm

Private collection, France, acquired at the Drouot salerooms before 1999. The incomplete inscription reads: ‘bada darash gosh[adeh] (?) « May its door be open (?) »

Condition: White overglaze to calligraphy and border now missing, various minor chips and firing faults, small areas of filling and retouching mostly on left edge.

Three Dome of the Rock tiles, Ottoman Palestine or Syria, 16th century. Estimate: £600 – £800. Sold for £1,920. Photo courtesy Arthur Millner

Underglaze cobalt painted fritware, each of square form, with diagonal split palmette motif, interwoven with stylised lotuses; 19.5cm approx square each (3)

Condition: Edges with various chips, one with slightly pitted surface, no restoration or repairs