Antiquities

Sale Overview

Christie’s Antiquities sale in New York on 3 February features a diverse selection of objects from across the Mediterranean world — including works from ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Near Eastern cultures, dating from the third millennium BC to the seventh century AD.

The sale is led by a magnificent pair of Roman porphyry columns, circa 2nd century AD, recently on long‑term loan to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and once part of the collection of William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor (1848–1919) at Hever Castle, Kent. Other highlights include a Roman marble statue of Narcissus, circa early 2nd century AD, formerly in the collection of Alfred Moritz Mond, 1st Baron Melchett (1868–1930); an Assyrian gypsum cuneiform relief fragment preserving the Standard Inscription from the reign of Ashurnasirpal II, circa 883–859 BC; and an Egyptian feldspar falcon‑headed crocodile deity, dating to the Ptolemaic–late Roman periods, formerly owned by early 20th‑century connoisseur Martine‑Marie‑Pol de Béhague, Comtesse de Béarn (1870–1939). The sale also includes a strong group of ancient jewellery and cylinder seals.

All works will be on view at Christie’s Rockefeller Center galleries from 29 January to 2 February as part of the Classic Week series of sales and exhibitions.

Auction times

03 Feb 10:00 AM (EST)

Our specialist’s selection

Brought to you by

Hannah Solomon

Head of Department, Specialist | Ancient Art & Antiquities

Hannah Solomon is a Specialist and Head of Department of the Antiquities department at Christie’s New York. She joined the department in 2010 and oversees the auctions in New York as well as collaborates with her London colleagues on their bi-annual auctions. Hannah also works closely with the department’s international clients sourcing and selling material year-round via Christie’s private treaty channel. Hannah has been responsible for a number of recording-breaking results, including the sale of a Greek Bronze Helmet of Chalcidian type that realized over $1 million in April 2017 and a Roman Marble Portrait Bust of the Emperor Didius Julianus in April 2019 that sold for over $4.8 million.

Hannah’s passion of the ancient art is cross-cultural, which lead her to earn two Master’s degrees: one from the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU, with a focus on the Late Bronze Age Mediterranean; and another in the Arts of China from Christie’s Education/University of Glasgow. Hannah’s areas of specialty include Greek arms & armor and Minoan and Mycenaean works of art.

Maxwell Murphy

Associate Specialist | Ancient Art & Antiquities

Maxwell Murphy is an Associate Specialist in the Antiquities department at Christie’s New York. Maxwell joined the department in 2017 and in his current role catalogues and researches ancient Egyptian, Roman, Greek, and Near Eastern antiquities for the department’s biannual New York sales and supports the international Antiquities team with business getting, appraisals, long-term projects and private sales. Maxwell holds a B.A. in Art History from Cornell University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.