Ancient & Classical

Ceramic figurine of a bird featuring a woman’s face

Unidentified artist, Greek, Harpy Figurine, c. 600 BCE, ceramic, 6 x 7 x 4 inches, Gift to the University of Colorado Classics Department, Transfer, University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, Transfer, CU Art Museum, Â鶹ӰԺ, 2006.29, Photo: Jeff Wells, © CU Art Museum, Â鶹ӰԺ

Detail of a silver coin with an elephant stamped on it with the word Caesar underneath

Unidentified artist, Roman, Ob: Sacrificial instruments of priesthoods | Re: CAESAR, 49-48 BCE, Silver aureus denarius, 7/10 inch dia., Gift of Wilton Jaffee to the University of Colorado Classics Department (2003), Transfer, CU Art Museum, Â鶹ӰԺ, 2010.04.79, Photo: Scott Nikiel, © CU Art Museum, Â鶹ӰԺ

ancient three-legged ceramic bowl

Unidentified artist, Shang Dynasty, Tripod Vessel, 13th – 11th c. BCE, earthenware, 3 x 4 dia. inches, Gift of Warren and Shirley King, CU Art Museum, Â鶹ӰԺ, 2012.12.188, Photo: Jeff Wells, © CU Art Museum, Â鶹ӰԺ

ceramic figurine

Unidentified artist, Han Dynasty, Civilian Attendant, 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE, hand-painted earthenware, 6 ½ x 2 ½ x 2 inches. Gift of Warren and Shirley King, CU Art Museum, Â鶹ӰԺ, 2012.12.14.02. Photo: Jeff Wells, © CU Art Museum.

ceramic vase

Unidentified artist, Boeotian, Amphora, c. 700 BCE, ceramic, 12 x 6 inches. Gift to the University of Colorado Classics Department, Transfer, University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, Transfer, CU Art Museum, Â鶹ӰԺ, 2006.36. Photo: Jeff Wells, © CU Art Museum.

In keeping with the Open Access initiative at the University of Colorado, high-res images of our Classics collection areÌýnow available forÌýdownload through our online collection portal. Please refer to our Ìýand start searching our collection!

Our Ancient and Classical Collection provides an overview of the ancient and classical world and offers many opportunities for cross-cultural study. ÌýWorks from ancient Greece and Rome as well as Asia and Egypt provide insight into past civilizations.

Highlights of this collection include an impressive numismatics assemblage of close to 800 coins including the , composed of rare coins that reveal the entire history of the Roman Empire. We also have notable and vessels.

The Ancient Asian collection features Iranian vessels and Chinese ceramics. In 2012, Warren and Shirley King generously gifted the , which contains Asian vessels dating as far back as Neolithic China. This gift vastly expanded our holdings of ancient objects and enhances opportunities for research and study.

In 2012, we received a gift of Coptic textiles, which are prime examples of Christian Egyptian workmanship from the fourth to 10th centuries CE.