BOULDER, COLO.- The new year begins with a deep look into the past as Artemis Fine Arts launches its January 2026 auction, a carefully curated sale bringing together fine art, antiquities, ethnographica, and historical objects from across the globe. The auction opens on January 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (GMT–6) and will be conducted from the firm’s headquarters in Boulder.

Spanning civilizations and centuries, the sale reflects Artemis Fine Arts’ long-standing focus on legally sourced, well-documented works. Objects from ancient Egypt, Greece, Italy, and the Near East appear alongside material from Asia, Pre-Columbian cultures, Native American traditions, Africa, and Oceania. Fossils, Neoclassical objects, antiques, fine art, and numismatic material round out a catalog designed to appeal to both seasoned collectors and new buyers.


12th C. Venetian Architectural Lion Support Istrian Sto. Estimate $15,000-$22,500.


One of the most striking architectural works in the auction is a 12th-century Venetian Romanesque lion stylobate, carved from dense Istrian limestone. Measuring nearly two feet in length, the recumbent lion once supported a column, likely at the entrance of a civic or religious building. Its polished head—smoothed by centuries of human contact—contrasts with the weathered body, bearing the marks of time, erosion, and use. Estimated at $15,000–$22,500, the sculpture embodies the dual role these lions played in medieval Venice: structural support and symbolic guardian, closely tied to the city’s civic identity and the emblem of Saint Mark.


Khmer Angkor Red Sandstone Head of Shiva. Estimate $4,500-$7,500

From Southeast Asia comes a Khmer Angkor red sandstone head of Shiva, dating to the 12th–13th century. Identified by the third eye and crescent moon, the fragment once formed part of a larger temple sculpture. Despite losses to the neck and facial abrasions, the serene expression and refined carving remain intact. The head carries an estimate of $4,500–$7,500 and traces a collecting history that includes long-term private ownership in the United States.


1873-S $20 Gold Double Eagle - Closed 3 Variety. Estimate $6,500-$9,750

The auction also moves beyond antiquity into the modern era with an 1873-S $20 Gold Double Eagle, Closed 3 variety. Struck at the San Francisco Mint during a famously complex year in American coinage, the piece reflects a moment when small design details carried lasting historical consequences. With an estimate of $6,500–$9,750, the coin offers collectors a blend of rarity, narrative depth, and strong visual presence.


Rene Lalique Opalescent Glass Car Mascot "Sirene" 1920. Estimate $4,000-$6,000

Among the decorative arts highlights is René Lalique’s opalescent glass car mascot “Sirene” from 1920. Created at the height of Art Deco experimentation, the small sculpture captures the mythological siren in shimmering translucent glass. Signed by Lalique both in mold and by hand, the piece reflects the designer’s mastery of light, movement, and myth. It is estimated at $4,000–$6,000 and comes from the estate of Francis and Marion Lederer, a prominent Hollywood family.


Burmese Sagyin Marble Buddha Head w/ Gilt and Lacquer. Estimate $5,000-$7,500

Sacred sculpture appears again in a Burmese Sagyin marble Buddha head, carved during the Mandalay period in the late 19th to early 20th century. Slightly over life-size, the head retains traces of gilt and red lacquer, remnants of its original devotional finish. With its calm expression and refined proportions, the piece stands as a testament to Burma’s marble carving tradition and is estimated at $5,000–$7,500.


Chinese Neolithic Nephrite Jade Cong Core - Qijia. Estimate $3,000-$4,500

Rounding out the global scope of the sale is a rare Chinese Neolithic nephrite jade cong core, attributed to the Qijia culture (ca. 2100–1600 BCE). As a byproduct of jade tube production, such cores were typically discarded, making surviving examples uncommon. Estimated at $3,000–$4,500, the object offers a direct glimpse into early jade-working techniques and the ritual importance of the material in ancient China.

All lots are guaranteed authentic and compliant with U.S. cultural property laws, with certificates of authenticity provided. Artemis Fine Arts handles packing and worldwide shipping in-house, though restrictions apply for certain countries and categories.

Taken together, the January 2026 auction presents a cross-section of human creativity—from ritual stone and sacred imagery to gold coinage and Art Deco glass—positioning Artemis Fine Arts’ opening sale of the year as both a scholarly and market-driven event.