Terracotta Fertility Idol SK.059Origin:Mesopotamia Circa:2500BCto1500BCDimensions:6.5 " (16.5cm) high x 2.75 " (7.0cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Art Medium:Terracotta

Terracotta Fertility Idol SK.059Origin:Mesopotamia Circa:2500BCto1500BCDimensions:6.5 " (16.5cm) high x 2.75 " (7.0cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Art Medium:Terracotta   « Less

Mesopotamian Stone Head of Horse - LK.168Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 3000 BC to 2000 BCDimensions: 2." (5.1cm) high x 4.7" (11.9cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Art Style:  More »

Mesopotamian Stone Head of Horse - LK.168Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 3000 BC to 2000 BCDimensions: 2." (5.1cm) high x 4.7" (11.9cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Art Style: Sumerian Medium: Black Stone   « Less

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were  More »

Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were neglected by the nineteenth century pioneers of Mesopotamian archaeology who were more interested in discovering palace foundations and large-scale sculpture. In more recent years however their importance has been recognised and they have been studied in- depth.The incantations were written in a variety of Aramaic dialects including Jewish Aramaic, Mandaic and Syriac. There are also examples written in Pseudo-script, presumably by less literate scribes. Although the texts are not dated they are generally assigned to the late Sassanian/ early Islamic period (6th-8th century A.D.). Their main function was to trap evil spirits and they were often placed upside down at the corners of rooms, or built into foundations or cemeteries. The texts sometimes instruct them to be placed ‘at the four corners (of the room)’ for extra protection. The names of the clients for whom the bowls were made can be divided into two main categories- Semitic and Persian. However this is not always a reliable guide to their ethnicity. Jewish influence on the Mandaic inscriptions was minimal but is pronounced in the Aramaic incantations. Many of the scribes may have been Jewish or trained by Jews, and the Hebrew Bible is frequently quoted.   « Less

Ottoman Silver Ring Featuring a Lapis Lazuli Stone - OS.296, Origin: Turkey, Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Ottoman, Medium:  More »

Ottoman Silver Ring Featuring a Lapis Lazuli Stone - OS.296, Origin: Turkey, Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Ottoman, Medium: Lapis Lazuli, Silver. At its height, the Ottoman Empire was one of the world’s great powers, controlling much of southeastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The roots of the Ottoman Empire can be traced back to the migration of Turkic tribes from Central Asia into Anatolia. Expert horsemen, fierce and highly mobile, these armies encountered little resistance as they moved westward and settled, eventually uniting under the banner of the Seljuk Empire. Back in the East, the rise of the Mongols sent progressive waves of Turkic refugees fleeing the armies of the Khan. The turmoil created by this influx of people, as well as direct confrontations with the Mongols themselves, eventually resulted in the dissolution of the Seljuk Empires into several fractured independent states. One of these states, ruled by Osman I, from whom the word Ottoman is derived, would become the Ottoman Empire.   « Less

This bronze sculpture of a crouching figure was made in ancient Mesopotamia. It is a very fine piece, with interestingly disproportionate rendering of the legs – which  More »

This bronze sculpture of a crouching figure was made in ancient Mesopotamia. It is a very fine piece, with interestingly disproportionate rendering of the legs – which are very powerful – and arms, which are very slender. The overall lines of the piece are generalised, indicating a garment of some sort, probably a long tunic. The head is slightly downcast, with a very prominent nose, almond eyes and a small mouth, the hair gathered up in an elaborate coiffure that resembles a coil on the head’s apex. The whole has an irregular patina with clear evidence of age.Pieces such as this were made all over the area currently covered by Iraq, Iran and other Central Asian countries. Mesopotamia is also the birthplace of much that we currently recognise to be complex society, urbanisation and civilisation. Most areas were controlled by palace-temples that governed religious and social convention, with a resident aristocracy and various priests etc. These gathered taxation and ensured the economic and spiritual health of the serfs who worked for them. Pieces such as this were used to commemorate important members of the priestly class. This is a powerful piece of ancient sculpture.   « Less

This bronze sculpture of a praying figure was made in ancient Mesopotamia. Resembling gallery object number RP.004, it is somewhat larger, with a more monolithic presence.  More »

This bronze sculpture of a praying figure was made in ancient Mesopotamia. Resembling gallery object number RP.004, it is somewhat larger, with a more monolithic presence. The body of the piece is block-like, with an angular base, square shoulders and an inclined lap which is decorated with a band of geometric designs. The hands are gathered together on the lap, holding an as-yet unidentified object between them. The head is tall and austere, with well-marked brows and a long nose, framing empty eyes. The whole has an irregular patina with clear evidence of age.Pieces such as this were made all over the area currently covered by Iraq, Iran and other Central Asian countries. Mesopotamia is also the birthplace of much that we currently recognise to be complex society, urbanisation and civilisation. Most areas were controlled by palace-temples that governed religious and social convention, with a resident aristocracy and various priests etc. These estates gathered taxation and ensured the economic and spiritual health of the serfs and freemen who worked for them. Pieces such as this were used to commemorate important members of the priestly class, and were treated as altar figures or personal talismanic items. This is a powerful piece of ancient sculpture.   « Less

This bronze figure was made in ancient Mesopotamia. It is a very fine piece depicting a seated individual. With both arms held firmly to each side one can just make out the  More »

This bronze figure was made in ancient Mesopotamia. It is a very fine piece depicting a seated individual. With both arms held firmly to each side one can just make out the figure’s fingers spread slightly along his lap. The head is slightly downcast, with a very prominent nose, almond eyes and a small mouth. Just above the forehead is a circular grove that resembles a fitted cap. The piece has an irregular patina with clear evidence of age.Pieces such as this were made throughout the region currently covered by Iraq, Iran and other Central Asian countries. Mesopotamia is also the birthplace of much that we currently recognize to be complex society, urbanization and civilization. Most areas were controlled by palace-temples that governed religious and social convention, with a resident aristocracy and various priests. Such individuals gathered taxation and ensured the economic and spiritual health of the serfs who worked for them. Pieces such as this bronze figure were used to commemorate important members of the priestly class. This is a powerful piece of ancient sculpture.   « Less

Babylonian Erotic Terracotta Tablet - RP.016Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 2100 BC to 1600 BCDimensions: 5.6" (14.2cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide Collection: Near East Style:  More »

Babylonian Erotic Terracotta Tablet - RP.016Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 2100 BC to 1600 BCDimensions: 5.6" (14.2cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide Collection: Near East Style: Babylonian Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Old Babylonian Plaque of a Dog - RP.017Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 2000 BC to 1700 BCDimensions: 3.3" (8.4cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm)wide Collection:Near East Style:Near Eastern  More »

Old Babylonian Plaque of a Dog - RP.017Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 2000 BC to 1700 BCDimensions: 3.3" (8.4cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm)wide Collection:Near East Style:Near Eastern Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Babylonian Moulded Plaque - RP.018Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 2000 BC to 1700 BC Dimensions: 5.75"(14.6cm)highx2.75(7.0cm)wide Collection:Near East Style:Babylonian Medium:  More »

Babylonian Moulded Plaque - RP.018Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 2000 BC to 1700 BC Dimensions: 5.75"(14.6cm)highx2.75(7.0cm)wide Collection:Near East Style:Babylonian Medium: Terracotta   « Less