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 were 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.2259   « Less

This charming monochromatic Bronze Age vessel carries with it the history of more than three thousand years. The small, delicate vessel has an unusual curvilinear biomorphic  More »

This charming monochromatic Bronze Age vessel carries with it the history of more than three thousand years. The small, delicate vessel has an unusual curvilinear biomorphic shape, somewhat like the body of a bird. It has an elegantly formed opening and an arching handle. Such features reveal that as long ago as the Bronze Age, people thoughtfully considered the utilitarian aspects of simple pottery. It is fascinating to wonder who touched this vessel, where it was placed, and what it once contained. Holding it brings one back to ancient Israel, a land filled with wondrous, historical events. Such a momentary retreat into the past showers one with the mystical sensation of connecting with ancient times. - (PF.2946)   « Less

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or oils, or perhaps an offering of food or drink. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple  More »

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or oils, or perhaps an offering of food or drink. 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. - (PF.1592)   « Less

Created during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, just prior to Moses, this elegant vessel might have held a drink offering, or perhaps served as a pouring vessel, or  More »

Created during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, just prior to Moses, this elegant vessel might have held a drink offering, or perhaps served as a pouring vessel, or decanter for water or wine. 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, we cross the bridge of time and set the imagination on a journey of discovery. - (SP.039)   « 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. - (SP.268)   « Less

Created during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, just prior to Moses, this elegant two-handled vessel might have held a drink offering, or perhaps served as a pouring  More »

Created during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, just prior to Moses, this elegant two-handled vessel might have held a drink offering, or perhaps served as a pouring vessel, or decanter for water or wine. Its pedestal base gives way to a generously bulging ridged equator. The lip of the vessel casts a fairly broad shadow over the wide neck, below which are perched two handles that sprout from the sides of a fairly wide neck. Its sides are adorned with a geometric pattern of stacked and inverted triangular shapes, faintly visible. 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, we cross the bridge of time and set the imagination on a journey of discovery. - (SP.269)   « Less

Created during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, just prior to Moses, this elegant vessel might have held a drink offering, or perhaps served as a pouring vessel, or  More »

Created during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, just prior to Moses, this elegant vessel might have held a drink offering, or perhaps served as a pouring vessel, or decanter for water or wine. 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, we cross the bridge of time and set the imagination on a journey of discovery. - (SP.270)   « Less

Created during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, just prior to Moses, this elegant vessel might have held a drink offering, or perhaps served as a pouring vessel, or  More »

Created during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, just prior to Moses, this elegant vessel might have held a drink offering, or perhaps served as a pouring vessel, or decanter for water or wine. 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, we cross the bridge of time and set the imagination on a journey of discovery. - (SP.276   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC 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, wood, and bone has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the earliest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint arrowhead in our hand, delicately carved to a fine point thousands of years ago, we are holding the nascent breath of civilization. Tools allowed mankind to utilize his natural setting to its fullest potential, to altar the surroundings to suite his needs, and to create his own collective habitats that would eventually evolve into great cities. An arrowhead head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could have been used to fell a fleeing prey or to spear a fish. As well, the delicate serrated edge could be used to cut and prepare the meat for cooking. This stone arrowhead represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to conquer. 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 evolving from arrowheads to temples. - (N.1161)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC 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, wood, and bone has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the earliest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint arrowhead in our hand, delicately carved to a fine point thousands of years ago, we are holding the nascent breath of civilization. Tools allowed mankind to utilize his natural setting to its fullest potential, to altar the surroundings to suite his needs, and to create his own collective habitats that would eventually evolve into great cities. An arrowhead head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could have been used to fell a fleeing prey or to spear a fish. As well, the delicate serrated edge could be used to cut and prepare the meat for cooking. This stone arrowhead represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to conquer. 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 evolving from arrowheads to temples. - (N.1162)   « Less