Description:

Northwestern Greece, Illyria, Archaic Period, ca. 6th century BCE. A stupendous and quite substantial bronze belt from ancient Illyria - a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula that was inhabited by Illyrian tribes. In ancient times, it was most likely attached to a leather belt. The belt is comprised of 98 vertical elements - each one including four hemispheric forms joined by bands with a horizontal element across their centers. At one end is a belt plate with a cast bronze curvilinear attachment that resolves in circular termini; at the other is a curvilinear wire fitting with spiraled termini. A very impressive piece that must have belonged to a high ranking military official who had an equally impressive waistline. Size: 47" L x 2.25" H (119.4 cm x 5.7 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Collection of Richard Wagner, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 1960's

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#139815

  • Condition: There are a few breaks to the vertical elements - but truly only a few. Otherwise, most of the 98 pieces show expected age wear but are intact. The belt has been skillfully sewn to a translucent plastic backing for display and to help preserve its form. All of the elements have attained a gorgeous green patina over the course of history.

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February 6, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000