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 birds, animals, cult 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. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature, he 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.-(D.0167 )Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0167Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimensions: 1.375" (3.5cm) high x .75" (1.9cm) wide Collection:Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Height-50", Depth-18 1/2", Width-34 1/2", Flame mahogany French carved serpentine front high chest with French cabriole legs, solid brass pulls, and fluted column sides circa  More »

Height-50", Depth-18 1/2", Width-34 1/2", Flame mahogany French carved serpentine front high chest with French cabriole legs, solid brass pulls, and fluted column sides circa 1920s.   « Less

Origin: Upper Egypt Circa: 1650 BC to 1085 BC Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Style: New Kingdom Medium: Steatite The sacred beetle of ancient Egypt, the scarab is  More »

Origin: Upper Egypt Circa: 1650 BC to 1085 BC Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Style: New Kingdom Medium: Steatite The sacred beetle of ancient Egypt, the scarab is an emblem of the creator, Khepera. The word kepher denotes Being, Existence, Creation, or Becoming, and the god Kephera is the self-existent maker of all things. The worship of the scarab, which is symbolic of resurrection and fertility, dates from the earliest period of civilization in Egypt. Carved scarabs served two major functions: as amulets with protective and religious powers, and as personal seals, which designated the property and authority of the individual whose name was placed upon them. In both cases, the power ascribed to the scarab was very great—in life they served as the signature of their owner and were thought to bring prosperity, and in the afterlife they ensured rebirth through eternity. Inscribed with a cartouche containing the name Menkheperre (Tuthmosis III). The cartouche is flanked on each side by a winged Kheper beetle. - (S.082)   « Less

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the pre-Exilic Period. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.413)   « Less

Origin: Upper Egypt Circa: 1650 BC to 1085 BC Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Style: New Kingdom Medium: Faience The sacred beetle of ancient Egypt, the scarab is an  More »

Origin: Upper Egypt Circa: 1650 BC to 1085 BC Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Style: New Kingdom Medium: Faience The sacred beetle of ancient Egypt, the scarab is an emblem of the creator, Khepera. The word kepher denotes Being, Existence, Creation, or Becoming, and the god Kephera is the self-existent maker of all things. The worship of the scarab, which is symbolic of resurrection and fertility, dates from the earliest period of civilization in Egypt. Carved scarabs served two major functions: as amulets with protective and religious powers, and as personal seals, which designated the property and authority of the individual whose name was placed upon them. In both cases, the power ascribed to the scarab was very great—in life they served as the signature of their owner and were thought to bring prosperity, and in the afterlife they ensured rebirth through eternity. Inscribed with the name of the god Amun, below which is a goose, sacred bird of the god. - (S.083)   « 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 at  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 he shrine of some powerful god.This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth. The design that adorns them—of birds, animals, cult 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. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature,he stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless. These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success, and happiness that areas old as civilization itself.-(D.0168) Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0168 Origin:Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimensions: 1.375(3.5cm) high x .75(1.9cm) wide collection: Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Origin: Upper Egypt Circa: 1650 BC to 1085 BC Dimensions: .25" (0.6cm) high x .5" (1.3cm) wide x .625" (1.6cm) depth Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Style: New  More »

Origin: Upper Egypt Circa: 1650 BC to 1085 BC Dimensions: .25" (0.6cm) high x .5" (1.3cm) wide x .625" (1.6cm) depth Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Style: New Kingdom Medium: Steatite The sacred beetle of ancient Egypt, the scarab is an emblem of the creator, Khepera. The word kepher denotes Being, Existence, Creation, or Becoming, and the god Kephera is the self-existent maker of all things. The worship of the scarab, which is symbolic of resurrection and fertility, dates from the earliest period of civilization in Egypt. Carved scarabs served two major functions: as amulets with protective and religious powers, and as personal seals, which designated the property and authority of the individual whose name was placed upon them. In both cases, the power ascribed to the scarab was very great—in life they served as the signature of their owner and were thought to bring prosperity, and in the afterlife they ensured rebirth through eternity. Inscribed with a sphinx, representing the king. Above is an Ankh. - (S.090)   « Less

Height- 54 5/8", Depth-20", Width-38", Batesville mahogany serpentine front high chest with with carved top , carved columns and very heavy solid brass hardware circa 1940s.

Height- 54 5/8", Depth-20", Width-38", Batesville mahogany serpentine front high chest with with carved top , carved columns and very heavy solid brass hardware circa 1940s.   « 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 at  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 he shrine of some powerful god. This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth .The design that adorns them—of birds, animals, cult 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. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature,he stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless. These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success, and happiness that are as old as civilization itself. -(D.0169) Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0169 Origin: Lake Van,Anatolia Circa:4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimensions: 1.375(3.5cm) high x .75(1.9cm) wide collection: Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 11 th Century BC to 10 th Century BC Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 1.5" (3.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: New Kingdom Medium: Stone By far  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 11 th Century BC to 10 th Century BC Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 1.5" (3.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: New Kingdom Medium: Stone By far the most important amulet in ancient Egypt was the scarab, symbolically as sacred to the Egyptians as the cross is to Christians. Based upon the dung beetle, this sacred creature forms a ball of dung around its semen and rolls it in a large ball over the sand dropping it into its burrow. The female lays her eggs on the ground and covers them with the excrement ball that is consumed by the larvae that emerge in the following days as if miraculously reborn. In the life cycle of the beetle, the Ancient Egyptians envisioned a microcosm of the daily rebirth of the sun. They imagined the ancient sun god Khepri was a great scarab beetle rolling the sun across the heavens. The scarab also became a symbol of the enduring human soul as well, hence its frequent appearance in funerary art. Scarabs of various materials form an important class of Egyptian antiquities. Though they first appeared in the late Old Kingdom (roughly 2575–2130 B.C.), scarabs remained rare until Middle Kingdom times (circa 1938-1600 B.C.) when they were fashioned in great numbers. While some were used as ornaments, others were purely amuletic in purpose. The seal type of scarab was, however, the most common, and many clay seals have been found attesting to this use. However, this gorgeous scarab bears no inscription on its base. Therefore it was most likely an amulet. Perhaps the owner would have carried it around in order to secure protection from evil forces. Perhaps the object was simply a decorative ornament for we can easily appreciate its tremendous beauty and the expertise of its workmanship. Overall, the scarab is a potent symbol for the glories of Ancient Egypt as a whole. In our hands, we hold a tangible reminder of the mythology, religion, and funeral rites of this civilization that continue to fascinate mankind even today. - (PF.5818)   « Less