Incised Ceremonial Buckler - JB.1274, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 9.1" (23.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium:  More »

Incised Ceremonial Buckler - JB.1274, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 9.1" (23.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Brass. This piece has a wide, slightly sloping stepped body and a domical centre with a central hole. Melikian-Chirvani argues that this type of object was most probably used as a buckler, although he also discusses their possible use as lids or cymbals. Bucklers were used in the medieval period as small shields, held in the fist to protect the sword hand. They were generally used in hand-to-hand combat in conjunction with a short sword. This superb example is incised with calligraphy on each tier. Fashioned from brass, it post-dates the medieval period and was produced for ceremonial rather than martial purposes.   « Less

Incised Ceremonial Buckler - JB.1275, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 9.6" (24.4cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium:  More »

Incised Ceremonial Buckler - JB.1275, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 18 th Century AD to 19 th Century AD, Dimensions: 9.6" (24.4cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Brass. This piece has a wide, slightly sloping stepped body and a domical centre with a central hole. Melikian-Chirvani argues that this type of object was most probably used as a buckler, although he also discusses their possible use as lids or cymbals. Bucklers were used in the medieval period as small shields, held in the fist to protect the sword hand. They were generally used in hand-to-hand combat in conjunction with a short sword. This superb example is incised with calligraphy on each tier. Fashioned from brass, it post-dates the medieval period and was produced for ceremonial rather than martial purposes.   « Less

Repoussé Bronze Ceremonial Buckler - JB.1347, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 10.6" (26.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic,  More »

Repoussé Bronze Ceremonial Buckler - JB.1347, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 10.6" (26.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Seljuk, Medium: Bronze, Copper, Condition: Extra Fine.   « Less

Repoussé Bronze Ceremonial Buckler - JB.1348, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 10.6" (26.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art,  More »

Repoussé Bronze Ceremonial Buckler - JB.1348, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 10.6" (26.9cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Medium: Bronze.   « Less

Inlaid Mughal Dagger - AD.023, Origin: India, Circa: 18 th Century AD, Dimensions: 15.7" (39.9cm) high x 15.8" (40.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mughal, Medium:  More »

Inlaid Mughal Dagger - AD.023, Origin: India, Circa: 18 th Century AD, Dimensions: 15.7" (39.9cm) high x 15.8" (40.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mughal, Medium: Jade, Mixed Gems.   « Less

Inlaid Mughal Dagger - AD.024, Origin: India, Circa: 18 th Century AD, Dimensions: 15.8" (40.1cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mughal, Medium: Jade, Mixed Gems.

Inlaid Mughal Dagger - AD.024, Origin: India, Circa: 18 th Century AD, Dimensions: 15.8" (40.1cm) high, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Mughal, Medium: Jade, Mixed Gems.   « Less

A truly remarkable example of the beginnings of bronze craftsmanship in human civilization, this bronze javelin head derives from the Indus Valley. This piece represents the  More »

A truly remarkable example of the beginnings of bronze craftsmanship in human civilization, this bronze javelin head derives from the Indus Valley. This piece represents the ingenuity of the human race, just in the beginning stages of developing metallurgy for the protection and sustenance of the species. Early metal working experienced a significant advance with the advent of bronze casting, a process which alloyed tin with the copper previously used for the castings. This new achievement served to create a stronger and more durable metal. This piece was most probably first cast in the rough shape of the finished product and then the points were forged to their final state, simultaneously creating sharpened edges and giving them a hardened surface that would help retain a sharpened edge.The javelin head incorporates a sizable fuller ridge running the entire length of the blade. The tang would probably have been set into a wooden shaft and wrapped with rawhide in order to secure it. The purpose of the barbs was to prevent such a weapon from being withdrawn easily from the wound of an animal or human enemy hit with the weapon.This javelin would have been the pride and joy of whatever warrior owned it, representing the state of the art in warfare and weaponry. At that point in time, such an item would have been extremely costly and may have belonged to a chieftain or some other man of significance and wealth. - (SP.202)   « Less

Tumbaga Pendant of an Eagle - FJ.4195, Origin: Panama, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 2.5" (6.4cm) high, Catalogue: V7, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Panamanian,  More »

Tumbaga Pendant of an Eagle - FJ.4195, Origin: Panama, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 2.5" (6.4cm) high, Catalogue: V7, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Panamanian, Medium: Tumbaga. When Columbus and his men first arrived on the shores of the New World, they found the native peoples wearing golden pendants shaped like birds of prey. The tradition for these eagle ornaments was already ancient, and variations were known throughout Central America. The prominent beak and claws give this bird a fierce, predatory look; while his radiant plumage makes him seem a creature from myth. Centuries ago he might have hung around the neck of a warrior as a symbol of bravery. His abstract beauty gives him a timeless appeal. In the presence of such a treasure we can imagine an entire world filled with bright and shining gold.   « Less

Origin: Syria Circa: 1900 BC to 1300 BC Collection: Jewelry Style: Cylinder Seal Pendant Medium: Diorite/Gold

Origin: Syria Circa: 1900 BC to 1300 BC Collection: Jewelry Style: Cylinder Seal Pendant Medium: Diorite/Gold   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) 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: 4.75" (12.1cm) 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. - (PF.5969)   « Less