This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at the shrine of some powerful god. This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth The design that adorns the of stood in proxy for more costly sacrifices. Pressed into soft clay or wax, they would have created multiple images to win the favor of the god. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature, the stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success, and happiness that area sold as civilization itself. v-(D.0116) Engraved Votive Seal with an Intaglio D.0116 Origin: Lake Van,Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimension1.75(4.4cm) high x 1(2.5cm) wide x 75"(1.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at the shrine of some powerful god. This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth The design that adorns the of stood in proxy for more costly sacrifices. Pressed into soft clay or wax, they would have created multiple images to win the favor of the god. Carved with an abstracts implicity but an observant eye toward nature, the stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success, and happiness that are as old as civilization itself. v-(D.0117) Engraved Votive Seal with an Intaglio D.0117 Origin: Lake Van,Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimension1.75(4.4cm) high x 1(2.5cm) wide x 75"(1.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

The tradition to which this powerful little god belongs is as old as civilization itself. Heroically nude, wearing only a helmet, arm upraised as if to hurl a weapon, he is  More »

The tradition to which this powerful little god belongs is as old as civilization itself. Heroically nude, wearing only a helmet, arm upraised as if to hurl a weapon, he is kin to Ba'al, to Zeus, to Mars. A sky god, a lightening god, a war god, he symbolizes strength and power. Perhaps the person who offered this votive long ago was seeking victory in battle. The outcome of that ancient war seems unimportant in the context of the centuries, yet the confident energy of this little god remains strong. - (FZ.212)   « Less

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van.Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van.Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at the shrine of some powerful god. This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth The design that adorns the of stood in proxy for more costly sacrifices .Pressed into soft clay or wax ,they would have created multiple images to win the favor of the god. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature, the stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success, and happiness that are as old as civilization itself. v-(D.0118) Engraved Votive Seal with an Intaglio D.0118 Origin: Lake Van,Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimension 1.75(4.4cm) high x 1(2.5cm) widex 75"(1.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

In the age of David and Solomon, a bracelet such as this might have adorned the arm of a person of rank. Heavy and simple, it radiates a quiet authority, a no-nonsense  More »

In the age of David and Solomon, a bracelet such as this might have adorned the arm of a person of rank. Heavy and simple, it radiates a quiet authority, a no-nonsense approach to power. There is nothing frivolous about such a jewel, yet its simplicity makes it very appealing to modern sensibilities. Time has given the bronze a mottled green patina like some rare gem. As we slip it onto our own arm today, we cannot help but wonder whose arm it rested on so long ago. - (FZ.269)   « Less

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van.Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van.Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at the shrine of some powerful god. This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth The design that adorns the of stood in proxy for more costly sacrifices. Pressed into soft clay or wax ,they would have created multiple images to win the favor of the god. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature, the stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health ,success ,and happiness that area sold as civilization itself. v-(D.0119 Engraved Votive Seal with an Intaglio D.0119 Origin: Lake Van,Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimension 1.75(4.4cm) high x 1(2.5cm) widex 75"(1.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 30 BC Dimensions: .25" (0.6cm) high x .4" (1.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Late Dynastic/Ptolemaic Period Medium:  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 30 BC Dimensions: .25" (0.6cm) high x .4" (1.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Late Dynastic/Ptolemaic Period Medium: Faience The first examples of amulets appeared in Ancient Egypt as early as 4000 B.C. Believed to possess magical powers that protected the wearer or bestowed upon the properties they symbolized, amulets were worn both by the living as well as the dead. Throughout their evolution, talismans were crafted from a variety of materials including precious metals such as gold and silver, semiprecious stone like jasper and carnelian, as well as other more affordable glazed compositions such as faience. The particular powers of an individual amulet were based upon its specific shape, although the material and even the color of the charm could affect its magical abilities. While many of the amulets created to be worn by the living could also be worn after death, there also existed a specific group of charms that were made specifically to be placed upon the mummified remains of the deceased. All together, amulets represent an important class of Ancient Egyptian art that furthers our understanding of their complex religious beliefs. The Ancient Egyptians believed the wedjat eye was the most powerful protection against evil. Ever-vigilant against bad luck and misfortune, the symbolic eye of the god Horus was worn by king and peasant alike. Though the eye was sometimes fashioned in gold and precious stones, it was thought to be at its most powerful when colored blue. The tradition of blue amulets guarding against harm is a very ancient one. Throughout the Mediterranean world today, one sees beads and talismans of bright blue, which are meant to avert the evil eye of bad luck. In Egypt, peasants dip the palm of their hands in blue paint and press their palms against the sides of their houses. When the Egyptian Empire was at its glorious height, this faience eye of the god Horus was worn by some long-forgotten person to bring good fortune and luck. Much has changed in the world since then, but the power of this talisman remains strong and benevolent as always. - (CK.0233)   « Less

Since the dawn of time, man has sought power overtheanimalworld. The Neolithic Era was marked by the domesticationofanimalseither for food or labor. This fascinating seal,  More »

Since the dawn of time, man has sought power overtheanimalworld. The Neolithic Era was marked by the domesticationofanimalseither for food or labor. This fascinating seal, abstract andelegant,is shaped like a stylized animal’s head. It is engravedwiththeimage of a seated idol, perhaps a nature deity who caused the animals to flock and multiply. Discovered with a cacheofrelatedartifacts along the shoresof Lake Van,itevokesthebeginningsof Westerncultureasweknowit.Itspowerandbeautyaretimeless,touchingachorddeepintheimagination.-(D.0054)Sincethedawnoftime, man has sought power over the animal world. The Neolithic Erawas marked by the domestication of animals either for food or labor. This fascinating seal, abstract and elegant,isanimal’shead.Itisengravedwiththeimageofaseatedidol,perhapsanaturedeitywhocausedtheanimalstoflockandmultiply.Discoveredwithacacheofrelatedartifactsalongtheshoresof Lake Van,itevokesthebeginningsof Westerncultureasweknowit.Itspowerandbeautyaretimeless,touchingachorddeepintheimagination.- (D.0054)   « Less

Since the dawn of time, in every part of the world, man has worshiped his gods with the burning of fragrant woods, oils and spices. The ancient trade routes to the East did a  More »

Since the dawn of time, in every part of the world, man has worshiped his gods with the burning of fragrant woods, oils and spices. The ancient trade routes to the East did a thriving business in incense, and the shrines and temples of antiquity were laden with the precious smoke from its burning. Centuries ago, some person unknown placed incense in this brazier so that the smoke would rise through the holes to please some now-forgotten god. It was not perhaps the gift of a wealthy person, yet in the presence of this vessel we feel the power of those ancient aspirations and dreams. - (P.0191)   « Less

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at the shrine of some powerfu god. This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth The design that adorns the of stood in proxy for more costly sacrifices. Pressed into soft clay or wax ,they would have created multiple images to win the favor of the god. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature, the stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success, and happiness that are as old as civilization itself. v-(D.0121) Engraved Votive Seal with an Intaglio D.0121 Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimension 1.75(4.4cm) high x 1(2.5cm) wide x 75"(1.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less