Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A petite pyxis of a cylindrical form with a discoid lid, a slender needle-form applicator with a bulb finial, and a rounded applicator with two pierced holes, all hand-carved from cow bone or that of another ungulate. The lid has a small pierced hole in the center to hold the needle applicator when not in use. The bottom of the pyxis as well as the lid top are decorated with incised concentric circles, and the lobed applicator boasts two sets of four incised circles. The pyxis form - a rounded vessel with a small fitted lid, originally made to hold cosmetics, trinkets, or jewelry - is found throughout the ancient Near East and the Classical world. The presence of the applicators with this brown-painted example indicates this vessel was used to contain and apply cosmetic makeup. Size (w/ lid): 1.5" W x 2.9" H (3.8 cm x 7.4 cm).

Provenance: private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#140112

  • Condition: Minor nicks to vessel, lid, and both applicators, with some stable hairline fissures, fading and chipping to original brown pigmentation, and small losses to tip of needle applicator. Nice earthen deposits throughout.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

November 8, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000