Ancient Near East

It has been suggested that the bulbous shape and vertical slit decoration of vessels like this evoke the opium poppy full to bursting. This graceful bilbil was probably made  More »

It has been suggested that the bulbous shape and vertical slit decoration of vessels like this evoke the opium poppy full to bursting. This graceful bilbil was probably made on Cyprus and exported to ancient Palestine carrying opium, valued as a medicine in antiquity. The healing energy of ancient hands seems to cling to it still. When our touch rests where other hands did in biblical times, we establish a direct bond to that vanished world. - (PF.1110)   « Less

Graceful and elegant in form, bilbil vessels were created on the island of Cyprus for export to ancient Egypt and Palestine. In their distinctive shape and general size,  More »

Graceful and elegant in form, bilbil vessels were created on the island of Cyprus for export to ancient Egypt and Palestine. In their distinctive shape and general size, bilbils resemble the bulb of the opium poppy, the source of one of the oldest medicines known to man. It is believed that in antiquity, precious opium was cultivated in Cyprus or Turkey as a healing drug and distributed along the Mediterranean coast in bilbils. These vessels were frequently buried in tombs, perhaps as symbols of curative medicine or maybe as balms to grief and mourning. As we hold this lovely vessel in our hands today, we are aware of the touch of forgotten hands, of some human story lost in the mists of time. Its simple beauty delights the senses, even as its history excites the imagination. - (PF.1504)   « Less

Graceful and elegant in form, bilbil vessels were created on the island of Cyprus for export to ancient Egypt and Palestine. In their distinctive shape and general size,  More »

Graceful and elegant in form, bilbil vessels were created on the island of Cyprus for export to ancient Egypt and Palestine. In their distinctive shape and general size, bilbils resemble the bulb of the opium poppy, the source of one of the oldest medicines known to man. It is believed that in antiquity, precious opium was cultivated in Cyprus or Turkey as a healing drug and distributed along the Mediterranean coast in bilbils. These vessels were frequently buried in tombs, perhaps as symbols of curative medicine or maybe as balms to grief and mourning. As we hold this lovely vessel in our hands today, we are aware of the touch of forgotten hands, of some human story lost in the mists of time. Its simple beauty delights the senses, even as its history excites the imagination. - (PF.1501)   « Less

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 1200 BC to 800 BC Dimensions: 5.50" (14.0cm) high Collection: Classical Style: Cypriot Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 1200 BC to 800 BC Dimensions: 5.50" (14.0cm) high Collection: Classical Style: Cypriot Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Cyprus Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Cyprus Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Cyprus Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 5.50" (14.0cm) high Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Cyprus Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 5.50" (14.0cm) high Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Cyprus Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Cyprus Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Cyprus Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 5.625" (14.3cm) high Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Cyprus Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 5.625" (14.3cm) high Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Seljuk Brass Tray with Central Medallion - AMD.127, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 3.9" (9.9cm) high x 4.7" (11.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic  More »

Seljuk Brass Tray with Central Medallion - AMD.127, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 3.9" (9.9cm) high x 4.7" (11.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, Medium: Brass. In the 9th century, hordes of nomadic Turkic horseman living on the outskirts of the Muslim world began to migrate westward into the heart of Central Asia. By the 10 century, a branch known as the House of Seljuk had broken off from the Oghuz confederation of Turkomen tribesmen, arrived into mainland Persia, and settled in the province of Khurasan. Overtime, the Seljuks converted to Islam and began to adopt the Persian language and culture. In the 11th century, the Seljuks set up an independent state under their leader Tugrul Bey with its capital in Isfahan, initially under the auspices of the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad. The arts thrived during the Seljuk period as the Turkic rulers patronized Persian culture, arts, and literature.   « Less

Origin: Cyprus Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 5.50" (14.0cm) high Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Cyprus Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 5.50" (14.0cm) high Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta   « Less