The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel,  More »

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel, Lebanon and Syria, while their sphere of conquest and influence extended throughout the Mediterranean and even beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Straits of Gibraltar) and into the Mediterranean-Atlantic. Their power was due primarily to their mastery of seamanship – which they developed to a whole new level during their pre-eminence – and extremely well-organised administration which was strengthened by extensive use of the alphabet. Indeed, it was the Phoenicians who introduced the alphabet to the Greeks, who in turn passed it onto the rest of the Western World. They were essentially Canaanites, to whom they were identical in sociocultural and material terms, the only difference being the massive range over which their cultural remains and heritage can be found. Phoenician society was comparatively stable when compared to the changeable fortunes of other Eastern Mediterranean cultures, primarily due to its broad royal, political and religious foundations. The town of Byblos became a major hub for trade all over the Fertile Crescent, followed by Tyre and Sidon; overseas territories notably included Carthage (founded 814 BC), but they either took over or culturally dominated trading ports from Cyprus to Malta, Spain, Portugal and Sardinia. They traded in purple dye (“Tyrian Purple”), textiles, luxury ceramics, silver, tin (with England) and glass, explored down the west coast of Africa as far as the Gulf of Guinea, and may even have circumnavigated Africa in around 600 BC.It is astonishing that the simple beauty of this ewer is as appealing to modern sensibilities as it no doubt was to ancient ones. When the trading empire of the Phoenicians was at its height, such a vessel might have contained oil or wine. As we grip its elegant handle today, we recognize that our gestures echo those of its ancient owners. Though centuries have passed, what dreams and emotions might we share in common with those vanished lives? As our hands rest where theirs did, we are connected in an intimate way with their vanished world. - (PF.2206)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine Empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where a dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This large and stunning fragment, worked in rich reds and browns, depicts the front half of a rearing horse. The wave under its feet suggests that it is a hippocamp, a horse with a fish tail, most likely being ridden by a triton, a sea god. Such a textile might once have belonged to a wealthy individual in the twilight of the Classical Age. Its vigorous energy makes us wonder if such creatures really did roam the world at that time. - (PF.2111)   « Less

Shaped like an abstract bird, this ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture,  More »

Shaped like an abstract bird, this ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at the shrine of some powerful nature god. The design that adorns them—of birds, animals, seated idols—probably stood in proxy for more costly sacrifices. Pressed into soft clay or wax, they would have created multiple images to win the favor of the god. It is possible that the bird, arecurringmotif, wasassociatedwiththeideaofthesoul.Carvedithabstractsimplicitybutanobservanteyetowardnature,thestarkvisualappealofthispieceistimeless.Thesesealsrepresent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success, andhappiness that are as old as civilization itself. - (D.0045)Bird Effigy Votive Seal with Intaglio - D.0045Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 2.75" (7.0cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where the dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This lovely textile, which once adorned a tunic, depicts a stylized fruit tree flanked by two graceful birds. In the arid desert world of Egypt, such a tree represented a cool oasis, a paradise. This might be a variation on the "Tree of Life" theme, or possibly a representation of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Worked in rich reds and greens, it puts us in intimate touch with a vanished world. - (PF.2112)   « Less

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel,  More »

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel, Lebanon and Syria, while their sphere of conquest and influence extended throughout the Mediterranean and even beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Straits of Gibraltar) and into the Mediterranean-Atlantic. Their power was due primarily to their mastery of seamanship – which they developed to a whole new level during their pre-eminence – and extremely well-organised administration which was strengthened by extensive use of the alphabet. Indeed, it was the Phoenicians who introduced the alphabet to the Greeks, who in turn passed it onto the rest of the Western World. They were essentially Canaanites, to whom they were identical in sociocultural and material terms, the only difference being the massive range over which their cultural remains and heritage can be found. Phoenician society was comparatively stable when compared to the changeable fortunes of other Eastern Mediterranean cultures, primarily due to its broad royal, political and religious foundations. The town of Byblos became a major hub for trade all over the Fertile Crescent, followed by Tyre and Sidon; overseas territories notably included Carthage (founded 814 BC), but they either took over or culturally dominated trading ports from Cyprus to Malta, Spain, Portugal and Sardinia. They traded in purple dye (“Tyrian Purple”), textiles, luxury ceramics, silver, tin (with England) and glass, explored down the west coast of Africa as far as the Gulf of Guinea, and may even have circumnavigated Africa in around 600 BC.It is astonishing that the simple beauty of this ewer is as appealing to modern sensibilities as it no doubt was to ancient ones. When the trading empire of the Phoenicians was at its height, such a vessel might have contained oil or wine. As we grip its elegant handle today, we recognize that our gestures echo those of its ancient owners. Though centuries have passed, what dreams and emotions might we share in common with those ancient lives? As our hands rest where theirs did, we are connected in an intimate way with their vanished world. - (PF.2207)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where a dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This large bichrome fragment makes vigorous use of natural floral patterns. The central image is of an abstract vine, a metaphor for both the Christian Church and the cult of Dionysus. The outer border continues the floral theme with another highly stylized vine image. It is impossible to guess who might have worn this lovely panel on their tunic. It seems the perfect metaphor for the transition between the Classical Era and the Christian one. - (PF.2114)   « Less

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at the shrine of some powerful god. This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth. The design that adorns them—of stood in proxy for more costly sacrifices. Pressed into soft clay or wax, they would have created multiple images to win the favor of the god. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature, the stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success, and happiness that area sold as civilization itself. v-(D.0049) Engraved Votive Seal with an Intaglio D.0049Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa:4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimensions: 1.75" (4.4cm) high x 1" (2.5cm) wide x 75"(1.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 5.5" (14.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 5.5" (14.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where the dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This boldly abstract image depicts a naked male carrying an exotic animal. It is worked in shades of red, blue, green and black. The image is at once decorative and representational. It perhaps shows a worshipper bringing a votive gift before some unknown god. The linen around it suggests it once adorned a very fine tunic. As we gaze upon it today, we wonder who might have looked upon this woven picture on a bright morning in Egypt when the world was younger. - (PF.2116)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 3 rd Century AD to 5 th Century AD Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm) high x 4.625" (11.7cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Wood The term  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 3 rd Century AD to 5 th Century AD Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm) high x 4.625" (11.7cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Wood The term "Copt" originally referred to the native Egyptians, as opposed to the Greek or Arab invaders. While later "Copt" became a religious designation referring to Christian Egyptians, the Coptic period is defined as the first millennium of the Christian era, when Christianity thrived in Egypt. Ideally situation at the join of three continents, Coptic artists drew inspiration from the many influences: the forms and motifs of ancient Egypt, classical and Hellenistic Greece and Rome, Near Eastern art; and contemporary life in the Nile Valley. Although Coptic art is generally associated with Christianity, many of its motifs are distinctly non-Christian, such as Bacchanal scenes, pastoral compositions inspired by classical poetry, and groups of nereids and maenads frequently represented on textiles. The style of Coptic art evolved from the late antique art of Egypt, retaining Greek and Roman influences. Economic conditions doubtless played a major role in the emergence of a freer, more popular style of art; the lack of an extensive patronage system is evident in many aspects of Coptic art, the emphasis on more personal, less monumental art, the avoidance of costly materials, and the dearth of skilled craftsmen with extensive training among them. The stylistic tendencies of Coptic art move away from a naturalistic rendering of the human form and features. Outline and detail are simplified, and the number of motifs is limited. - (X.0297)   « Less

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel,  More »

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel, Lebanon and Syria, while their sphere of conquest and influence extended throughout the Mediterranean and even beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Straits of Gibraltar) and into the Mediterranean-Atlantic. Their power was due primarily to their mastery of seamanship – which they developed to a whole new level during their pre-eminence – and extremely well-organised administration which was strengthened by extensive use of the alphabet. Indeed, it was the Phoenicians who introduced the alphabet to the Greeks, who in turn passed it onto the rest of the Western World. They were essentially Canaanites, to whom they were identical in sociocultural and material terms, the only difference being the massive range over which their cultural remains and heritage can be found. Phoenician society was comparatively stable when compared to the changeable fortunes of other Eastern Mediterranean cultures, primarily due to its broad royal, political and religious foundations. The town of Byblos became a major hub for trade all over the Fertile Crescent, followed by Tyre and Sidon; overseas territories notably included Carthage (founded 814 BC), but they either took over or culturally dominated trading ports from Cyprus to Malta, Spain, Portugal and Sardinia. They traded in purple dye (“Tyrian Purple”), textiles, luxury ceramics, silver, tin (with England) and glass, explored down the west coast of Africa as far as the Gulf of Guinea, and may even have circumnavigated Africa in around 600 BC.It is astonishing that the simple beauty of this ewer is as appealing to modern sensibilities as it no doubt was to ancient ones. When the trading empire of the Phoenicians was at its height, such a vessel might have contained oil or wine. As we grip its elegant handle today, we recognize that our gestures echo those of its ancient owners. Though centuries have passed, what dreams and emotions might we share in common with those ancient lives? As our hands rest where theirs did, we are connected in an intimate way with their vanished world. - (PF.2216)   « Less