Artemis Fine Arts and Arte Primitivo launch joint auction series with $1.5M Moche artifacts sale

Artemis Fine Arts and Arte Primitivo have initiated a collaborative auction series with their first joint sale on February 26-27. The auction featured 900 lots and generated nearly $1.5 million in total sales. The highest-priced item was a pair of Royal Moche ear ornaments from approximately 100-300 AD, which sold for $82,500. These gold and mosaic artifacts were created during the Moche civilization period. Artemis Fine Arts, based in Colorado, is recognized globally for its expertise in ancient and ethnographic art. Arte Primitivo operates from New York City and focuses on Pre-Columbian, African, ethnographic, and ancient artworks. The partnership combines extensive experience from both organizations in the antiquities market. Teresa Dodge, owner and executive director of Artemis Fine Arts, noted that the inaugural auction drew significant international interest and produced strong results across various collecting areas. This collaboration marks the beginning of multiple planned auctions between the two auction houses.