For thousands of years, since before recorded history, man has worn amulets and talismans for luck and protection. The stones, feathers, teeth and claws that adorned early  More »

For thousands of years, since before recorded history, man has worn amulets and talismans for luck and protection. The stones, feathers, teeth and claws that adorned early cultures eventually gave way to an array of amulets whose powers where as varied as their forms. This splendid little token represents the head of a bull, a creature symbolic of strength, power, and virility, the favorite animal of many male gods. The reddish hue of the stone suggests it may have supplied its wearer with courage and protection in battle. Carved with abstract simplicity, it makes a timeless appeal to the senses. - (PF.1937)Mesopotamian Stone Amulet of a Bull's Head - PF.1937Origin: Northern Syria Circa:3000BCto2000BCDimensions:0.5" (1.3cm) high x 0.625" (1.6cm) wide x 0.75" (1.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Mesopotamian Medium: Stone   « Less

Islamic Glass Bird - FF.096, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 8.25" (21.0cm) high x 10.5" (26.7cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glass.

Islamic Glass Bird - FF.096, Origin: Central Asia, Dimensions: 8.25" (21.0cm) high x 10.5" (26.7cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glass.   « Less

Islamic Blue Glass Vessel - SF.201, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern, Style:  More »

Islamic Blue Glass Vessel - SF.201, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glass.   « Less

With a few quick strokes, the ancient artist has carved this red pebble into an animal amulet. The creature in question is perhaps a bear, though it might also be a sheep or  More »

With a few quick strokes, the ancient artist has carved this red pebble into an animal amulet. The creature in question is perhaps a bear, though it might also be a sheep or a bull. Its lack of specific detail only adds to its mystery. Was it once hung around the neck of a baby to give it strength and protection? Did some hunter carry it to ensure a bountiful outcome to the hunt? Might a warrior have worn it into battle to bolster his courage? Talismans and amulets have been used since the dawn of time for these and other reasons. This unusual early charm links us in a magical way with the life of its previous owner. - (PF.1955)Mesopotamian Stone Amuletofan Animal PF.1955 Origin: Northern Syria Circa: 3000 BC to 2000 BCDimensions: .375" (1.0cm) high x .25" (0.6cm) wide x .625" (1.6cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Mesopotamian Medium: Stone   « Less

Islamic Glass Bowl - SF.202, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 3.3" (8.4cm) high x 8.8" (22.4cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern, Style:  More »

Islamic Glass Bowl - SF.202, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 3.3" (8.4cm) high x 8.8" (22.4cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Blown/Tooled, Medium: Glass, In order to understand and appreciate Islamic glass fully, the study of undecorated utilitarian vessels is just as crucial as that of elaborately embellished pieces. A revolution in glass making techniques took place in the 1st century B.C in the Syrio-Palestinian region. For centuries craftsmen had known how to produce glass objects by casting them in moulds or forming the molten glass around a removable clay core. However these methods were labour intensive and time-consuming. The invention of glass- blowing enabled faster production and greater possibilities in terms of the variety of shapes that could be achieved. The use of glass for everyday purposes also increased dramatically, a trend that continued into the Islamic period.   « Less

Islamic Iridescent Glass Bottle - SF.290, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 3.1" (7.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Islamic Iridescent Glass Bottle - SF.290, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 3.1" (7.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Blown/Tooled, Medium: Glass.   « Less

For thousands of years, since before recorded history, man has worn amulets and talismans for luck and protection. The stones, feathers, teeth and claws that adorned early  More »

For thousands of years, since before recorded history, man has worn amulets and talismans for luck and protection. The stones, feathers, teeth and claws that adorned early cultures eventually gave way to an array of amulets whose powers where as varied as their forms. This splendid little token represents the head of a bull, a creature symbolic of strength, power, and virility, the favorite animal of many male gods. The reddish hue of the stone suggests it may have supplied its wearer with courage and protection in battle. Carved with abstract simplicity, it makes a timeless appeal to the senses. - (PF.1937)Mesopotamian Stone Amulet of a Bull's Head - PF.1937Origin: Northern Syria Circa:3000BCto2000BCDimensions:0.5" (1.3cm) high x 0.625" (1.6cm) wide x 0.75" (1.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Mesopotamian Medium: Stone   « Less

For thousands of years, since before recorded history, man has worn amulets and talismans for luck and protection. The stones, feathers, teeth and claws that adorned early  More »

For thousands of years, since before recorded history, man has worn amulets and talismans for luck and protection. The stones, feathers, teeth and claws that adorned early cultures eventually gave way to an array of amulets whose powers where as varied as their forms. This splendid little token represents the head of a bull, a creature symbolic of strength, power, and virility, the favorite animal of many male gods. The reddish hue of the stone suggests it may have supplied its wearer with courage and protection in battle. Carved with abstract simplicity, it makes a timeless appeal to the senses. - (PF.1937)Mesopotamian Stone Amulet of a Bull's Head - PF.1937Origin: Northern Syria Circa:3000BCto2000BCDimensions:0.5" (1.3cm) high x 0.625" (1.6cm) wide x 0.75" (1.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Mesopotamian Medium: Stone   « Less

Large Green Glass Bottle - SF.291, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mold Blown/Tooled, Medium:  More »

Large Green Glass Bottle - SF.291, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high, 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

For thousands of years, since before recorded history, man has worn amulets and talismans for luck and protection. The stones, feathers, teeth and claws that adorned early  More »

For thousands of years, since before recorded history, man has worn amulets and talismans for luck and protection. The stones, feathers, teeth and claws that adorned early cultures eventually gave way to an array of amulets whose powers where as varied as their forms. This splendid little token represents the head of a bull, a creature symbolic of strength, power, and virility, the favorite animal of many male gods. The reddish hue of the stone suggests it may have supplied its wearer with courage and protection in battle. Carved with abstract simplicity, it makes a timeless appeal to the senses. - (PF.1937)Mesopotamian Stone Amulet of a Bull's Head - PF.1937Origin: Northern Syria Circa:3000BCto2000BCDimensions:0.5" (1.3cm) high x 0.625" (1.6cm) wide x 0.75" (1.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Mesopotamian Medium: Stone   « Less