Origin: Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 525 BC Dimensions: 3.6" (9.1cm) high Collection: Egyptian Art Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Stone The Egyptians have left us with  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 525 BC Dimensions: 3.6" (9.1cm) high Collection: Egyptian Art Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Stone The Egyptians have left us with what is perhaps the most detailed legacy of an ancient civilization. They had strong beliefs about what would happen after the death and spent much of their earthly lives preparing for the next world. The falcon is one of the few clear examples of a motif known in Egypt's Predynastic times that continued into the Dynastic period, after 3100 B.C., when it symbolized the king as an embodiment of the falcon-headed god Horus, the patron deity of kingship. Horus was the falcon-deity, originally the sky-god, identified with the king during his lifetime Known more importantly as the son of Osiris and Isis. Horus was also the avenger of his father Osiris, who was killed by Set.   « Less

Origin: The Holy Land Circa: 2300 BC to 1300 BC Catalogue: V4 Collection: Biblical

Origin: The Holy Land Circa: 2300 BC to 1300 BC Catalogue: V4 Collection: Biblical   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 650 BC to 30 BC Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide Catalogue: V30 Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium:  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 650 BC to 30 BC Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide Catalogue: V30 Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Bronze The ancient Egyptians were conservative and traditional with regard to their design for depictions of cats. Most of the known representations in both two and three dimensions rely on a seated attitude, as here, in which the beloved feline sits on its hind legs with its erect fore legs drawn up close to the chest in order to create a compact body from which the head with its perked up ears emerges, attentive and focused. In these compositions, the tail of the cat is invariably wrapped around the proper right-hand side of the animal closely following the contour so that its tip ends at or about even with the claws of the right paw. Our example is unusual in that it still exhibits an original suspension loop on its back into which links of the original chain are likewise well preserved. Other examples of bronze cats are known which are provided with suspension loops and it was not uncommon for the ancient Egyptians to attach similar loops to other bronze statuettes, such as images of Osiris, which are, to a modern critic, of such a large size that they would have seemed cumbersome, if worn as pendants suspended from necklaces and the like.   « Less

Origin: Israel Circa: 3 rd Century AD to 5 AD Dimensions: 1.9" (4.8cm) high Collection: Biblical Style: Roman Period Medium: Lead

Origin: Israel Circa: 3 rd Century AD to 5 AD Dimensions: 1.9" (4.8cm) high Collection: Biblical Style: Roman Period Medium: Lead   « Less

The graceful form of this splendid vessel achieves a sculptural perfection. It speaks of an age-old fondness for luxury unadorned with extraneous detail. Containing precious  More »

The graceful form of this splendid vessel achieves a sculptural perfection. It speaks of an age-old fondness for luxury unadorned with extraneous detail. Containing precious perfumes or balms, it surely belonged to some woman of the ancient world whose skin echoed its luminous beauty. When we hold it as she did, we delight also in its cool and pleasing contours. - (PF.1029) Origin: Eastern Mediterranean Circa: 550 BC to 450 BC Dimensions: 14.2" (36.1cm) high Collection: Biblical Style: Persian Period Medium: Alabaster   « Less

In the Holy Land, where wells are scarce and far between, the water flask was part of every traveler's equipment. With a flattened circular body and handles through which a  More »

In the Holy Land, where wells are scarce and far between, the water flask was part of every traveler's equipment. With a flattened circular body and handles through which a cord could be passed, such flasks could be suspended from the shoulder to refresh the traveler on long journeys. In Samuel, the story is told of how David found king Saul sleeping in a cave. Though Saul was pursuing him with evil intent, David refused to harm the king. Instead, to demonstrate his mercy, David took only Saul's spear and the water flask near the king's head. That flask no doubt closely resembled this graceful one. As we hold this vessel in our hands today, we cannot help but wonder who drank from it so long ago. - (PF.2015) Origin: Israel (Hebron) Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Collection: Biblical Medium: Terracotta   « Less

This elegant lamp has seven spouts, which suggest it may have been used as a menorah. It burned in the Holy Land in the period between the rise of the Hasmoneans and the  More »

This elegant lamp has seven spouts, which suggest it may have been used as a menorah. It burned in the Holy Land in the period between the rise of the Hasmoneans and the first Jewish revolt. A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. Lamps have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike. They have guided great thoughts through the night and stood vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow. It remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (PF.2208)   « Less

Origin: Israel Circa: 600 AD to 900 AD Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style: Islamic Medium: Glass This most unusual vessel  More »

Origin: Israel Circa: 600 AD to 900 AD Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style: Islamic Medium: Glass This most unusual vessel is shaped like a spindle laden with wool. In the art of the classical world, we see Roman and Greek matrons bending over their spinning: in antiquity, the spindle was part of every well-bred woman's household equipment. Surely then, this charming object belonged among the treasures of a woman who lived long ago. This may be the only surviving clue to her existence, yet somehow in its presence we feel we know her very well. - (GF.0138)   « Less

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 202 AD to 209 AD Collection: Numismatics Style: Roman Medium: Silver Publius Septimius Geta was Roman emperor from 209 to 212, jointly with  More »

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 202 AD to 209 AD Collection: Numismatics Style: Roman Medium: Silver Publius Septimius Geta was Roman emperor from 209 to 212, jointly with his father, Septimius Severus (reigned 193-211), and his brother, Caracalla (reigned 198-217). The younger son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna, he was given the title “Caesar” in 198, when the title “Augustus” was bestowed upon his elder brother Caracalla, effectively sharing command with their father. In 209, Geta was himself made an Augustus, joining the ranks of his father and brother. The furious rivalry that developed between the brothers remained concealed from public view as long as their father lived; but after Severus' death at Eboracum (modern York, England) in February 211, the brothers formed separate military factions. Civil war threatened until February 212, when Caracalla had Geta murdered in their mother's arms in her apartment at the imperial palace. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This ancient coin is a memorial to an emperor’s brief reign passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.8410)   « Less

Diamond Studded Gold Ring Featuring a Triangular Watermelon Tourmaline - FJ.0609 Origin: Afghanistan, South Africa Collection: Modern Jewelry Style: Tourmaline  More »

Diamond Studded Gold Ring Featuring a Triangular Watermelon Tourmaline - FJ.0609 Origin: Afghanistan, South Africa Collection: Modern Jewelry Style: Tourmaline Rings Medium: Tourmaline, Diamonds   « Less