On a bed of bright gold, a naked couple lies in passionate embrace. Their actions are universal, transcendent of time or culture, infinitely old and as new tomorrow. The  More »

On a bed of bright gold, a naked couple lies in passionate embrace. Their actions are universal, transcendent of time or culture, infinitely old and as new tomorrow. The image is erotic, but in an unblushing, life-affirming way. Its power is undeniably, most essential communication between two human beings. The original function of this remarkable talisman is unknown. It may have been an offering to ensure a fertile marriage, a guardian of sexual potency, a gift between lovers. Its precious gold hints at a noble owner. The two winged monsters that guard the bed and the female figures that support it suggest an eastern origin, perhaps from Persia, or Greece. It radiates with the perfume of life itself, mysterious yet at the same time completely familiar. - (FJ.0083)   « Less

Seljuk Bronze Bowl - AMD.180, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 11 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 1.3" (3.3cm) high x 7.2" (18.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art,  More »

Seljuk Bronze Bowl - AMD.180, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 11 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 1.3" (3.3cm) high x 7.2" (18.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, Medium: Bronze. 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

In the ancient Near East, there was a long tradition for carving vessels from radiant alabaster. Graceful cups, bowls and jars found in the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankamen  More »

In the ancient Near East, there was a long tradition for carving vessels from radiant alabaster. Graceful cups, bowls and jars found in the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankamen were made from this lovely stone, and its use has continued on until the present day. This exquisite jar was probably created to hold ointments or perfumes at the heath of the Classical Age. Even empty, it seems to glow with an inner light, the essence of something rare and wonderful. - (PF.0139)   « Less

This vessel, found in the Holy Land, conforms to the Greek style of miniature krater, a vessel used for mixing wine and water prior to drinking, a Greco-Roman custom. Its  More »

This vessel, found in the Holy Land, conforms to the Greek style of miniature krater, a vessel used for mixing wine and water prior to drinking, a Greco-Roman custom. Its simple appearance belies the centuries of ceramic development that are embodied in such a vessel. Whether it is an imported item, or the work of a local craftsman schooled in Greek styles, it is also a witness to the presence of Hellenistic culture in Israel, no doubt making its presence known prior to Alexander’s conquest of the Mediterranean.As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, the centuries melt away and the imagination sets out on a journey of discovery. - (SP.279)   « Less

Origin: Found in Israel Circa: 400 BC to 300 BC Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide x 2.875" 7.3cm) depth Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Magna  More »

Origin: Found in Israel Circa: 400 BC to 300 BC Dimensions: 3.75" (9.5cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide x 2.875" 7.3cm) depth Collection: Classical Antiquities Style: Magna Graecian Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Seljuk Bronze Ewer - AMD.217, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 8.2" (20.8cm) high x 4.3" (10.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk,  More »

Seljuk Bronze Ewer - AMD.217, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 8.2" (20.8cm) high x 4.3" (10.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, Medium: Bronze, Condition: Extra Fine. 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

Engraved Copper Alloy Inkwell (Mihbara) - AMD.219, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 2.9" (7.4cm) high x 2.3" (5.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic  More »

Engraved Copper Alloy Inkwell (Mihbara) - AMD.219, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 2.9" (7.4cm) high x 2.3" (5.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, Medium: Copper-Alloy, Condition: Extra Fine. 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

Seljuk Bronze Jug - AMD.234, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1200 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 13.3" (33.8cm) high x 7.1" (18.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk,  More »

Seljuk Bronze Jug - AMD.234, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1200 AD to 1300 AD, Dimensions: 13.3" (33.8cm) high x 7.1" (18.0cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Seljuk, Medium: Bronze, Condition: Extra Fine. 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

Qajar Copper Vessel - AMD.241, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 24.4" (62.0cm) high x 12" (30.5cm) wide, Collection: Islamic  More »

Qajar Copper Vessel - AMD.241, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 24.4" (62.0cm) high x 12" (30.5cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Qajar, Medium: Copper. From their roots as a Turkmen tribe of shepherd- warriors centered in Azerbaijan, the Qajar Dynasty would become a fully assimilated Perso- Islamic monarchy that reunified Persia and, through their modernization programs, laid the foundation for the modern nation-state now known as Iran. Following the demise of the Safavid Dynasty, various regional centers of powers emerged, including the Zand Dynasty that controlled the south. In 1779, after the death of the Zand leader, Agha Mohammed Khan, the founder of the Qajar Dynasty, set out to reunify Persia under the Qajar banner. By 1794, Agha Mohammed Khan had defeated his internal rivals and reestablished Persian sovereignty over territories in Georgia and the Caucasus previously lost to foreign powers. These territorial gains would not last long, however, as the Qajaris soon found themselves in direct conflict with the imperial aspirations of Russia and Britain. Fath Ali Shah, who rose to the throne following the assassination of Agha Mohammed in 1797, presided over a period of disastrous conflicts with Russia, which resulted in an acknowledgement of Russian sovereignty over Georgia and later the entire South Caucasus region north of the Aras River.   « Less

Bronze Incence Burner - GDC.017, Origin: Jordan, Circa: 900 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high x 9" (22.9cm) depth, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium:  More »

Bronze Incence Burner - GDC.017, Origin: Jordan, Circa: 900 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high x 9" (22.9cm) depth, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Bronze, Condition: Very Fine.   « Less