Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience Most ancient Egyptian beads were made of faience, a glass-composite glaze which was  More »

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience Most ancient Egyptian beads were made of faience, a glass-composite glaze which was introduced as early as the pre-Dynastic period. According to Egyptologists, most beads were made on an axis, probably of thread, which would burn up during firing, leaving a hole. Disc, ring and tubular beads were made by coating the axis with the unfired body-paste, rolling the cylinder to an even diameter on a flat surface, and then scoring it with a knife into sections of the desired length. Other shapes, such as ball beads, were rolled between the hands and perforated while still wet with a stiff point such as a wire needle. The beads were then dried, coated with glaze (if the glaze had not already been mixed with the paste),and fired. The firing process often gave the beads a beautiful transulcent quality. The majority of faience beads are blue or green in color; but black, red, yellow and white ones were also produced, especially in the New Kingdom. - (FJ.2663)   « Less

Created during the age of David and Solomon, this simple but charming vessel glows with the rich patina of history. Who can say through whose hands it might have passed  More »

Created during the age of David and Solomon, this simple but charming vessel glows with the rich patina of history. Who can say through whose hands it might have passed centuries ago? It was perhaps from such a jug that Samuel anointed Saul king of Israel. Whatever its past, we are aware that it was crafted by ancient hands, held and used by people who lived in a time and place much different from our own. The energy of those vanished lives clings to it still and sets our imaginations stirring. - (P.4288)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 1600 BC to 300 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience The benevolent eye of Horus protected the wearer from evil influences, so whoever wears this  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 1600 BC to 300 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience The benevolent eye of Horus protected the wearer from evil influences, so whoever wears this unique necklace should be very lucky indeed. One look at this delightful piece will confirm that fact, for who would not feel the magical appeal of these amulets? These ancient eyes will draw the attention of modern eyes and charm all who see them. - (FJ.2676)   « Less

In Israel, as in other ancient nations, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by annointing them with oil. Thus Samuel annointed Saul as king, as  More »

In Israel, as in other ancient nations, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by annointing them with oil. Thus Samuel annointed Saul as king, as Moses hallowed the tabernacle and Aaron the High Priest before, and Abraham had sanctified Isaac. A vessel such as this--simple but elegant--may have contained oil for ritual use. Whose hands might have held it so long ago we can only guess, yet the connection is a direct one between our age and theirs. - (PF.0111)   « Less

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience Most ancient Egyptian beads were made of faience, a glass-composite glaze which was  More »

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience Most ancient Egyptian beads were made of faience, a glass-composite glaze which was introduced as early as the pre-Dynastic period. According to Egyptologists, most beads were made on an axis, probably of thread, which would burn up during firing, leaving a hole. Disc, ring and tubular beads were made by coating the axis with the unfired body-paste, rolling the cylinder to an even diameter on a flat surface, and then scoring it with a knife into sections of the desired length. Other shapes, such as ball beads, were rolled between the hands and perforated while still wet with a stiff point such as a wire needle. The beads were then dried, coated with glaze (if the glaze had not already been mixed with the paste), and fired. The firing process often gave the beads a beautiful translucent quality. The majority of faience beads are blue or green in color, but black, red, yellow and white ones were also produced, especially in the New Kingdom. - (FJ.2753)   « Less

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience Most ancient Egyptian beads were made of faience, a glass-composite glaze which was  More »

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience Most ancient Egyptian beads were made of faience, a glass-composite glaze which was introduced as early as the pre-Dynastic period. According to Egyptologists, most beads were made on an axis, probably of thread, which would burn up during firing, leaving a hole. Disc, ring and tubular beads were made by coating the axis with the unfired body-paste, rolling the cylinder to an even diameter on a flat surface, and then scoring it with a knife into sections of the desired length. Other shapes, such as ball beads, were rolled between the hands and perforated while still wet with a stiff point such as a wire needle. The beads were then dried, coated with glaze (if the glaze had not already been mixed with the paste), and fired. The firing process often gave the beads a beautiful translucent quality. The majority of faience beads are blue or green in color, but black, red, yellow and white ones were also produced, especially in the New Kingdom. - (FJ.2754)   « Less

In Israel, as in other ancient kingdoms, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by anointing them with oil. Thus Samuel anointed Saul king, as Moses  More »

In Israel, as in other ancient kingdoms, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by anointing them with oil. Thus Samuel anointed Saul king, as Moses had hallowed the tabernacle and Aaron the High Priest before, and Abraham had sanctified Isaac. A vessel such as this--simple but elegant--may have contained oil for ritual use. Whose hands might have held it so long ago we can only guess, yet the connection is a direct one between our age and theirs. - (PF.0121)   « Less

In the age of David and Solomon, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its  More »

In the age of David and Solomon, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. 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.1506)   « Less

In the age of David and Solomon, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its  More »

In the age of David and Solomon, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. 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.1507)   « Less

In the age of David and Solomon, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its  More »

In the age of David and Solomon, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. 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.1508)   « Less