Our Ethos

Helios Gallery our Ethos...

How do we buy our stock?

  • We buy items which emerge from old collections, primarily in Britain but also Northern Europe and North America.

  • We do this through an extensive network of general antiques and art dealers, auctioneers, inheritance and probate lawyers, and the occasional contact from a member of the public.

  • We buy items which have a provenance, meaning they have a collection history,  indicating that they were not excavated or removed from a source country in recent years.

  • We pay a premium for older or more interesting provenances and we refuse to buy items which we suspect may have been illegally excavated or exported.

  • We believe that knowingly buying artifacts which were recently looted from archaeological sites is comparable to trading in poached ivory and claiming to admire elephants: the process is incompatible to anyone who genuinely cares about our global cultural heritage.

  • Research is vital to this process but so is common sense and experience.

Frequently asked questions

Helios Gallery our Ethos...

How do we research and authenticate our stock?

  • We rely on decades of experience, archaeological training, an extensive library and study collection, but also on independent consultants who are often top academics specialising a very narrow field of study.

  • We listen and learn rather than claiming to know everything. Sometimes less than a minute is needed to identify, value and authenticate an object; on other occasions we may keep an item for several years before gaining sufficient information to make an intelligent assessment.

  • The process can be laborious but mistakes can harm a reputation which has taken decades to build.

Helios Gallery our Ethos...

Why buy from Helios Gallery?

  • Before buying from any website we recommend that you check their reputation and claims independently, please visit our collecting antiquities page for further advice.

  • We offer the highest possible standards of customer care, we source our stock in a responsible and ethical manner, and we try to offer items which are interesting and special at all price levels.

  • We do not exaggerate our descriptions, we do not take photographs with enhanced contrasts and colours and we do not employ gimmicks or hyperbole to entice buyers.

  • We treat a sale as part of an on-going relationship with an individual. Honesty, integrity and a good rapport with our clients is how we maintain our reputation.

  • We have built a business with over one thousand registered clients ranging from school kids to professors, casual buyers to institutional collectors and museum curators. If you do not know us already but like what you see on our website we hope you will get in touch or perhaps make a small purchase and see if it lives up to your expectations

Further Resources

 

 

Reviews

Most recent comments

Egyptian Funerary Mask

12th August 2024

Thank you Rolf for another stunning item. I am a repeat customer. Helios Gallery is one of the most outstanding dealership enterprises online.

Rolf always provides excellent service and is an expert in his field.

Brian d

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Brian, the mask is amazing, so glad you like it, Sam & Rolf 🙂

Consummate experts of ancient world antiquities

9th August 2024

Only the quality of your offerings surpasses your incredible knowledge. Thank you for providing the opportunity to be the next custodian of such an extraordinary artefact.

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Brad

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you so much Brad, delighted you love the little vase, Sam & Rolf 🙂

Bronze votive figurine of Osiris

4th April 2024

I bought a really lovely figurine and I am delighted! I spoke to Rolph and he is a very nice chap, and the figurine arrived two days later. I have bought from Helios Gallery before, after reading glowing reports about them, and have always loved my purchases. Thank you so much.

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Robin Halls

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Robin, Glad you like the little Osiris figure and thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment about us, Sam & Rolf 🙂

Egyptian sandals

20th December 2023

The sandals have just arrived thank you. Unfortunately they don’t fit me so I have put them in my display cabinet where they look amazing along with the rest of my antiquities. Once again thank you and happy Christmas to you both.

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Martin OSullivan

Response from Helios Gallery

Love this! so glad they don’t fit 🙂 and delighted you love them, many thanks for your comment, Sam & Rolf

Helios - excellent collection of items to buy & excellent customer service

16th December 2023

I have just purchased my ninth item from Helios and will continue to make this company my first choice when I want to buy an antiquity. I always feel confident that whatever I decide to buy is authentic and fairly priced, and the service provided to customers is excellent. Thank you Rolf and Sam

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Andrew Antoniou

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Andrew, for your great comment. and we are really pleased you love your growing collection, Rolf & Sam

Excellent Experience!

2nd April 2024

This was my first time purchasing from this vendor and I couldn’t be happier. Once I placed my order, they personally emailed me thanking me and ensured it would be shipped out the next day. One week later, across the Atlantic – I received my piece. It was securely packed and handled with care. I look forward to supporting this vendor in the future!

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Jean-Paul

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Jean-Paul, so glad everything went smoothly and you’re happy with us and your lekythos, Sam & Rolf 🙂

Geometric oinochoe

8th November 2023

This is my second purchase from Helios. Very happy with the pitcher- just as described in the website. A nice example of italo-geometric pottery. Well packaged as was the previous item. Fast dispatch. Altogether, very satisfied with this purchase. I am sure to return to this seller. Thank you.

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Mike

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Mike, for you lovely comment, we love to hear that you like the Oinochoe, it is a lovely piece, Many thanks Sam & Rolf: )

Terracotta figurine of Harpocrates

22nd September 2023

It’s already the second purchase I’ve made from Helios Gallery and for the second time I am satisfied. Rolf is kind and available to resolve any doubts quickly and professionally. I highly recommend helios gallery to everyone who loves history and antiquities!

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Alessio

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you so much for you comment, and glad you like the Terracotta, Sam & Rolf

Smooth transaction. Will return.

13th September 2023

Item as described. Carefully packaged and promptly delivered. A happy purchaser! Will continue to visit this dealer.

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Mike

Response from Helios Gallery

So glad you like the lamp, thank you for the kind comment, Sam and Rolf 🙂

ESTIC CONTENTISSIMA DEL SEU TRACTE I DEL PROFESSIONALS QUE SON

7th September 2023

EMPRESA 100% RECOMANABLE PER LA PROFESSINALITAT I PEL BON TRACTE. ELS HE COMPRAT VARIES PECES I SEMPRE AMB LA CONFIANÇA DE QUE ESTIC ACOMPANYADA DE GRAN PROFESSIONALS

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NURIA AUBERNI

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you Nuria, for your kind review, Sam & Rolf 🙂

Triton figure

26th July 2023

Really happy with my beautiful artefact. Love this business- always friendly and personable. Great swift service too

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Johnny

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you so much Johnny, so pleased you like the lovely chap, Sam and Rolf 🙂

Redfigure Pottery Shard

26th June 2023

Thank you very much for my ancient Greek redfigure shard – communication was excellent and the delivery was very fast!

I am very happy to adding the first ancient piece to my collection!!!

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Grace

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Grace, so glad you are happy with your first antiquity.

Amazing antiquities

31st March 2023

These people have become my go-to place for reasonably priced antiquities with excellent provenance. I know I can count on them to be ethical and responsible in our dealings, and my purchases always arrive on time or even early at times.

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richard flournoy phd

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, Richard, for your kind review, so glad you are pleased with us, we try to have an interesting group of Antiquities for sale. Sam & Rolf

Neolithic flint axe head

5th February 2023

I’m delighted with my purchase, it has exceeded my expectations! The axe head is exactly as described, and was delivered in very safe and secure packaging. Rolf was very courteous and helpful with his communication, which is greatly appreciated. Overall, I am very happy, and I highly recommended Helios Gallery!

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Jeremy

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you Jeremy, really pleased you like the axe head and many thanks for your kind comment, Sam & Rolf

Minoan blossom bowl

6th February 2023

I made my first purchase from Helios 17 years ago and since then I regurlarly buy Greek items with the same pleasure and full confidence. Once again this Minoan bowl is an excellent item ! I also want to warmly thank Rolf for his great support for administrative questions !

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J.P. Chappuis

Response from Helios Gallery

Thank you, JP, for another kind comment, we value you as one of our longest established collectors, many thanks Sam and Rolf

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

17th January 2023

I bought two exceptionel wonderful greek terracottas.

Fantastic items and fantastic service by the Helios Gallery.

Highly recommended!

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Stefan

Response from Helios Gallery

Fab comment Stefan, so glad you love the terracotta’s and thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Sam & Rolf:)

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