By Carter B. Horsley

The Fall 2008 Antiquities auction at Sotheby's December 9, 2008 is highlighted by several wonderful pieces including a Summerian figure of a deity, a Neolithic stone figure of a woman circa 1st half of the 6th Millennium B.C.,

The Sumerian work is Lot 59, a 6 3/4-inch-high copper figure of a deity, Uruk IV, circa 3300-3100 B.C. The figure is seated with his legs folded beneath him and holds his clasped hands on his left thigh and wears a cylindrical diadem supporting a high flaring vessel of remains of sunk relief decoration. The lot has an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. It sold for $782,500 including the buyer's premium as do all results mentioned in this article.

Almost 83 percent of the offered lots, making this auction the second most successful of the Fall 2008 season.

Lot 61 is a marvelous Neolithic stone figure of a reclining woman that is as powerful as any sculpture by the French Impressionists. Dating to the first half of the 6th Millennium B.C., it is only 3 15/16 inches long. It was formerly in the collection of Ben Heller. It has a very modest estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. It sold for $134,500.

Lot 27 is a tall Cycladic marble figure of a goddess that is dated Early Bronze Age II, circa 2500-2400 B.C. It is 19 1/2 inches high and is intriguing because her left sideis pockmarked rather than smooth. It has an estimate of $300,000 to $500,000. It sold for $1,022,500. Lot 26 is a smaller and slightly earlier Cycladic goddess that is more rounded and smoother. It is 6 3/4 inches high and has an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000. It sold for $170,500.

Lot 34 is an exquisite and retal Roman Imperial, Augustan bronze figure of a goddess that is 7 inches high and is in superb condition except that she is missing her arms. While her bolt-upright pose may not recall more sensuous goddesses, but the drapery of her garments and her very beautiful face are most arresting. She is dated Late 1st Century B.C./Early 1st Century A.D. She has an estimate of $600,000 to $900,000. The lot failed to sell.

One of the more charming works in this auction is a small Roman bronze of a sphinx, Lot 37. It is only 3 7/8 inches high but is finely detailed and has a highly animated pose. It is dated Roman Imperial, circa Late 1st Century B.C./Early 1st Century A.D. It has a modest estimate of $8,000 to $12,000. It sold for $22,500.

Lot 29 is a very sweet and nicely carved statue of the Young Asklepios, Roman Imperial, circle 2nd Century A.D. The marble statue is 15 inches high. It has a modest etimate of $50,000 to $80,000. It sold for $110,500.

Lot 38 is a nice Etruscan bronze cista handle from the early 5th Century B.C. It is 2 13/16 inches long. It has an estimate of $5,000 to $8,000. It sold for $9,375.

One of the most beautiful works in the auction, one that is almost too perfect, is Lot 11, the head of an Egyptian sarcophagus of indurated limestone, 30th Dynasty, 380-343 B.C. It is 21 1/4 inches high and has a conservative estimate of $80,000 to $120,000. It sold for $134,500.

Lot 17 is a finely preserved and impressive Egyptian greywacke figure of a man, Late 26th/30th Dynasty, circa 600-342 B.C. It is 13 7/8 inches high. The kneeling figure is holding an enthroned figure of ram-headed Khnum on his lap. It has an estimate of $600,000 to $900,000. It sold for $1,650,500.

Perhaps the most impressive work in the auction to many contemporary collectors is Lot 16, an Egyptian torso of a man, Ptolemaic Period,m circa 305-30 B.C. Carved in black diorite, it is 22 1/2 inches high and is headless and legless and armless but very powerful and very beautiful. It has a conservative estimate of $150,000 to $250,000. It sold for $662,500.

Lot 20 is an impressive Egyptian Horus falcon from the 26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C. It is 10 5/8 inches high and has an estimate of $75,000 to $125,000. It sold for $92,500.

Lot 14 is an excellent Egyptian bronze statue of Nefertum, 26/30th Duynasty, 664-343 B.C. It is 9 inches high and has an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. It sold for $53,125.