BOULDER, COLO.- On December 25 at 1:00 PM (GMT–6), collectors and philanthropists alike are invited to take part in the Christmas Day Charity Auction, a timed, online-only sale benefiting Community Food Share, a Feeding America food bank serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties in Colorado.

Organized by Artemis Fine Arts, the annual auction blends cultural heritage with seasonal giving, with the house pledging $2,500 from the proceeds to help fight hunger in the region. Timed auctions allow participants to bid throughout the day, making it possible to support the cause from anywhere while competing for carefully vetted works spanning ancient civilizations to contemporary art.

Ancient worlds, thoughtfully preserved



Among the highlights is a group of three Egyptian faience amulets dating from the Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic periods (ca. 664–30 BCE), estimated at $600–$900. These intimate objects—depicting Isis nursing Horus, a wadj papyrus scepter, and a pig associated with fertility and agriculture—offer insight into the protective and symbolic language of ancient Egyptian belief. Their documented provenance, including a London collection and the F. Becker collection in Munich, underscores their scholarly interest.



Equally evocative is a Roman Imperial bronze votive of a female deity (1st–3rd century CE), estimated at $350–$525. With its elegant toga folds and expressive face, the small figure reflects personal devotion in the Roman world and may once have functioned as a finial or attachment, bridging private worship and public ritual.

Asia and the Americas in dialogue



From Qing Dynasty China comes a 19th-century openwork jade yupei pendant carved with two peacocks arranged in a near yin-yang composition (est. $400–$600). Long prized for both material and symbolism, jade jewelry of this kind was especially favored by women, and the peacocks’ pairing suggests harmony, beauty, and status.



A powerful counterpoint appears in the Nayarit pottery female mourner (ca. 300 BCE–300 CE), estimated at $400–$600. Seated in a posture of grief, mouth open in a ritual cry and marked by ceremonial scarification, the figure embodies funerary practices of West Mexico. Such sculptures were placed in tombs not merely as representations, but as active participants carrying grief, song, and sacrifice into the afterlife.

Contemporary wit with a charitable heart



Balancing the ancient works is a contemporary highlight: John Runne’s artist proof lithograph, The Chairman’s Prayer (est. $350–$525). Known for his whimsical Western imagery and bold color, Runne depicts one of his signature “critters” fly-fishing atop a dramatic rock formation. The piece reflects the artist’s humor and long-standing commitment to charitable causes—an ethos that aligns seamlessly with the spirit of this auction.

Giving that resonates beyond the holidays

More than a seasonal sale, the Christmas Day Charity Auction demonstrates how collecting can intersect with community support. Each bid not only competes for a work of cultural or artistic significance, but also contributes directly to feeding families in need. In a moment defined by generosity, the auction transforms the pursuit of art and antiquities into a tangible act of care—making the holidays meaningful well beyond December 25.