Islamic Glass Camel Head - OF.122, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 1.5" (3.8cm) high x 1.28" (3.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Medium: Glass,  More »

Islamic Glass Camel Head - OF.122, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 1.5" (3.8cm) high x 1.28" (3.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Medium: Glass, This charming glass camel head is a fragment of a larger piece. It is possible that its function was purely ornamental, however there was also a tradition whereby the body of the animal was used to support a small cosmetic container, also made from glass. If this head did once belong to such a piece it would have been a prized possession, used to store precious liquids such as perfume. The original colour of the glass was a translucent pale green. Over the centuries it has acquired an irridescent patina in a variety of shades, including stunning areas of turquoise blue.   « Less

Occasionally, a charm or amulet that has enormous power and magic for one culture will have only aesthetic value for another. Where the Egyptians attached great importance to  More »

Occasionally, a charm or amulet that has enormous power and magic for one culture will have only aesthetic value for another. Where the Egyptians attached great importance to the scarab, the Greeks might have been seen only a species of desert beetle. Yet, every culture makes use of such talismans for protection and to bring good luck. This unusual charm was carved by one of the early peoples of the Upper Euphrates Valley. It is unclear what it depicts, perhaps a bird, maybe a sea creature. What magic it was thought to bring is also unknown, though surely it has remained potent across the centuries. - (PF.1951)Mesopotamian Stone Amulet of a Bird - PF.1951 Origin: Northern Syria Circa: 3000 BC to 2000 BCDimensions: 0.75" (1.9cm) high x 0.5" (1.3cm) wide x 1.375" (3.5cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Mesopotamian Medium: Stone   « Less

Islamic Glass Bottle - OF.123, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 2.4" (6.1cm) high, Collection: Islamic, Style: Mold-Blown/Cut, Medium: Glass. This  More »

Islamic Glass Bottle - OF.123, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1000 AD, Dimensions: 2.4" (6.1cm) high, Collection: Islamic, Style: Mold-Blown/Cut, Medium: Glass. This small pale green glass bottle would have been used to hold precious liquids such as perfume. The stoppers of such vessels have not survived but it has been suggested they were made of cotton or a similar perishable material. The beauty of this type of bottle lies the use of bold geometric motifs cut in high relief. Facet- cutting was already known during the Sassanian period and flourished in the sixth century AD when it was used mainly for round bowls. During the Islamic era it was applied to a larger range of vessels, especially small bottles which enjoyed a particular vogue between the ninth and tenth centuries AD. Its use was reserved for luxury wares, perhaps in imitation of more costly rock crystal cut vessels. The usual method was to cast the basic shape of the vessel in a mold. The cutting was carried out when the glass was cold. The early dating of this example is fairly secure as the facet-cutting technique had fallen out of fashion by the eleventh-century.   « Less

Translucent Yellow-Green Bottle - OF.147, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 8.5" , (21.6cm) high, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic, Medium:  More »

Translucent Yellow-Green Bottle - OF.147, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 8.5" , (21.6cm) high, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Occasionally, a charm or amulet that has enormous power and magic for one culture may have little meaning for another. Where the Egyptians attached great importance to the  More »

Occasionally, a charm or amulet that has enormous power and magic for one culture may have little meaning for another. Where the Egyptians attached great importance to the scarab, the Greeks might have seen only a species of desert beetle. Yet, every culture makes use of such talismans for protection and to bring good fortune. This unusual charm was carved by one of the early peoples of the Upper Euphrates Valley. It appears to depict some sort of animal, though exactly which one is unclear. Its abstract shape makes a strong appeal to modern sensiblities, while its ancient magic is no doubt still strong and powerful as ever. - (PF.1952)Mesopotamian Stone Amulet - PF.1952Origin: Northern Syria Circa: 3000 BC to 2000 BCDimensions: 0.75" (1.9cm) high x 1" (2.5cm) wide x 0.5" (1.3cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Mesopotamian Medium: Stone   « Less

Green Glass Bottle - OF.148, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high x 1.5" (3.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mold  More »

Green Glass Bottle - OF.148, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high x 1.5" (3.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mold Blown/Tooled, Medium: Glass, This Bottle has an irregular cylindrical body, a slightly curved shoulder, a short flared neck that bulges at the opening and a slightly kicked base. Its decoration consists the common vertical ribbed motif which here is twisted clockwise outside the mold. Although the decoration might be faint, because the finished object was always larger than the interior of the mold, it survived to a greater extent. The object is in good condition and is partially weathered, resulting in a greyish patina.   « Less

Olive-Green Glass Vessel - OF.149, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glass.

Olive-Green Glass Vessel - OF.149, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Throughout history, the spindle whorl has been a symbol of domesticity and femininity, a metaphor for woman's contribution to society. The spindle whorl is used to weight the  More »

Throughout history, the spindle whorl has been a symbol of domesticity and femininity, a metaphor for woman's contribution to society. The spindle whorl is used to weight the wool as it is being spun into thread, and examples have been found in every part of the world. Spinning was considered a worthy activity even for women of noble birth. This early stone spindle whorl, created in the Euphrates Valley, is engraved with elaborate cuneiform writing. Quite possibly it is a prayer to the gods for a happy and healthy life. Such invocations are eternal, which the passage of time cannot alter. - (PF.1953)Mesopotamian Spindle Whorl with Cuneiform Inscriptions - PF.1953Origin: Northern Syria Circa: 3000 BC to 2000 BCDimensions: .5" (1.3cm) high x 1.125" (2.9cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style: Mesootamian Medium: Stone   « Less

Islamic Glass Ribbed Vessel - OF.196, Origin: Mediterranean, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 2.0" (5.1cm) high x 2.3" (5.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Islamic Glass Ribbed Vessel - OF.196, Origin: Mediterranean, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 2.0" (5.1cm) high x 2.3" (5.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Islamic Glass Bottle - OF.206, Origin: Mediterranean, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 2.5" (6.4cm) high x 1.0" (2.5cm) wide, Collection: Biblical, Style: Islamic,  More »

Islamic Glass Bottle - OF.206, Origin: Mediterranean, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 2.5" (6.4cm) high x 1.0" (2.5cm) wide, Collection: Biblical, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glass.   « Less