Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high x 2.375" (6.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high x 2.375" (6.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1107)   « Less

The bold, abstract geometry that decorates this charming vessel seems to convey the lively spirit of the ancient people through whose hands it passed so long ago. We remember  More »

The bold, abstract geometry that decorates this charming vessel seems to convey the lively spirit of the ancient people through whose hands it passed so long ago. We remember that these were individuals who laughed and sang, talked, argued and loved. In appearance they were similar to us, though their vision of the world was vastly different. This pot--which perhaps held ritual oil or wine--links us directly to that ancient world. Our hands rest where other hands did in Biblical times; the energy, the bond, is there to be felt. - (P.0452)   « Less

Terracotta figurines such as these ones have been unearthed also at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, suggesting a commonality of style and purpose throughout the Indus Valley during  More »

Terracotta figurines such as these ones have been unearthed also at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, suggesting a commonality of style and purpose throughout the Indus Valley during the mature Harappan period (ca. 2600-2450 BCE). Like many figurines datable to this period, the front and back legs are joined together. In one excavated examplefrom Chanudaroaholewaspokedinthebelly,indicatingthatitwouldhavebeenattachedoastickoruseasapuppetorasmallstandardofthekindcarriedintheprocessionsdepicted .Inothers,theholewasindeedplaceonthebackoftheanimal,thussuggesting an alternative function, perhaps linkedtomusic.Painted Earthenware Zebu Bull-LO.1025 Origin: Central Asia Circa: 2600 BC to 1900 BCDimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 7.25" (18.4cm) wide Collection: Indus Valley Style: Mature Harappan Medium: Earthenware   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 2.625" (6.7cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 2.625" (6.7cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1108)   « Less

With double holes looking like wide round eyes and a plump, tapering body, this delightful little vessel resembles an owl. What might it originally have contained to evoke  More »

With double holes looking like wide round eyes and a plump, tapering body, this delightful little vessel resembles an owl. What might it originally have contained to evoke the presence of a night bird? A stimulant to keep one alert? A potion to help conquer insomnia? After all these centuries, the little bird keeps that information secret; only however, its considerable charm is very much in evidence. - (P.0453)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 5.125" (13.0cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 5.125" (13.0cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1109)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1110)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 5.375" (13.7cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 5.375" (13.7cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1111)   « Less

n the shape of a horse, the cylindrical body supported on four lotubularlegs,theneck flattened out and curved into an elongated muzzle, the ears pinched in relief, the eyes  More »

n the shape of a horse, the cylindrical body supported on four lotubularlegs,theneck flattened out and curved into an elongated muzzle, the ears pinched in relief, the eyes incised on both sides of the neck, a short bent tail .Aroundprojecting mouth opening on the back and a small spout located on thechest.(LO.1038)Terracotta Zoomorphic Vessel - LO.1038Origin: Azerbaijan Circa: 1000 BCto750BCDimensions: 10.75" (27.3cm) high x 14" (35.6cm) wide Collection: Central Asia Medium: Terracotta   « Less

When the servant of Isaac met Rebecca returning form the well (Genesis 24) she might have been carrying water in a vessel such as this one. Graceful in form, with bold yet  More »

When the servant of Isaac met Rebecca returning form the well (Genesis 24) she might have been carrying water in a vessel such as this one. Graceful in form, with bold yet simple decoration, it reminds us of mankind's age-old desire to surround himself with a beauty that outshines mere function. It is so easy to imagine this jug perched atop the head of some ancient woman as she went, laughing with her friends to collect water. - (P.0502)   « Less