This sturdy, simple vessel may once have held an offering of wine or oil. To the vanished age that created it, it was perhaps an unremarkable vessel, notable more for its  More »

This sturdy, simple vessel may once have held an offering of wine or oil. To the vanished age that created it, it was perhaps an unremarkable vessel, notable more for its contents than its beauty. Yet, the passage of time has graced it with qualities it did not originally possess: it serves as a bridge to the past. We wonder whose hands crafted it, whose once grasped its handle and poured out its contents? As our fingers rest where theirs did so long ago, we recognize that the jug radiates still with the energetic glow of those ancient lives. - (P.2780)   « Less

This sturdy, simple vessel may once have held an offering of wine or oil. To the vanished age that created it, it was perhaps an unremarkable vessel, notable more for its  More »

This sturdy, simple vessel may once have held an offering of wine or oil. To the vanished age that created it, it was perhaps an unremarkable vessel, notable more for its contents than its beauty. Yet, the passage of time has graced it with qualities it did not originally possess: it serves as a bridge to the past. We wonder whose hands crafted it, whose once grasped its handle and poured out its contents? As our fingers rest where theirs did so long ago, we recognize that the jug radiates still with the energetic glow of those ancient lives. - (P.2781   « Less

In antiquity, there was a thriving trade between the island of Cyprus and the coast of Palestine. The graceful curving form of this vessel seems to convey the lively spirit  More »

In antiquity, there was a thriving trade between the island of Cyprus and the coast of Palestine. The graceful curving form of this vessel seems to convey the lively spirit of the people through whose hands it passed so long ago. We remember that these were individuals who laughed and sang, talked, argued and loved. In appearance, they were similar to us, though their vision of the world was vastly different. This charming bilbil--which perhaps held oil, wine or medicinal opium--links us directly to that ancient world. Our hands rest where other hands did in Biblical times; the energy, the bond, is there to be felt. - (P.2794)   « Less

This beautiful terracottaheadwasmadeinoneof Central Asia’smostdynamicandfascinating periods, when the mighty forces of east and west were coming into full contact in  More »

This beautiful terracottaheadwasmadeinoneof Central Asia’smostdynamicandfascinating periods, when the mighty forces of east and west were coming into full contact in the wake of Alexander’s Empire. It bears characteristics of both endemic (Afghanistan and Bactria) and western (Greek and Mediterranean) styles.Thepieceistruncatedattheneck, andwouldonecehavebeenpartofalargesculptureorfrieze.Thefaceisnaturalistic,fullcheeks, a high forehead, sensitive lips and alongnose.Thebrowsaretenderedgeometrically,as are the eyes, which have more in common with the eastern aesthetic in theirschematic reductivism. The ears are pierced with thick rings, beneath waves and ringlets. The head is tipped very slightly to theright,lendingareflectivesensitivity.The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom covered today's northern Afghanistan and partsof Central Asia,theeasternmost area of the Hellenistic world, from 250 to125BCE.Theexpansionofthe Greco-Bactrians into northern India from 180 BCE established the Indo-Greek Kingdom, which was to last until around 10 AD. This kingdom was highly urbanized andwaswidelyconsidered to be one of the richest of the Orient, expanding to the east and thewest.Thenumerous small city states and powers began to compete to marked cultural and stylisticdiversity. The artworks of Central Asia reflect this, and there are perhaps no finer examples than Greco- Bactrian portraiture like the current example. Theidentityofthepersonportrayed is uncertain, but is likely to represent a king or ancestor, that wouldhavebeendisplayed asasocialpointforthesocietyinquestion.Bactrian Royal Head-LO.1087Origin:Bactria/Afghanistan Circa: 250 BC to 125 BCDimensions: 11" (27.9cm) high Collection: Central Asia Style: Graeco-Bactrian Medium: Terracotta   « 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.1590)   « Less

In the Israel of biblical times, this elegant vessel might have held rare oils or fragrant perfumes. Perhaps it was left as a votive at the shrine of some powerful deity. As  More »

In the Israel of biblical times, this elegant vessel might have held rare oils or fragrant perfumes. Perhaps it was left as a votive at the shrine of some powerful deity. 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. - (PF.1731)   « Less

Context scene: Bull man, hornedanimal,twocrossedlions,twocrossedhornedanimals, bull-man.Terminal:discabovedoubleruling.Finecondition.Interpretationanddatingby  More »

Context scene: Bull man, hornedanimal,twocrossedlions,twocrossedhornedanimals, bull-man.Terminal:discabovedoubleruling.Finecondition.Interpretationanddatingby Prof.Lambert.-(LO.1088)Sumerian Cylinder Seal-LO.1088Circa:2500BCDimensions:1.25" (3.2cm) high Collection: Near Eastern Art Style: Early Dynastic IMedium:Dark veined stone   « Less

Throughout antiquity, the island of Cyprus was an important trading center at the crossroads of Mediterranean shipping routes. Cypriot goods have been discovered as far west  More »

Throughout antiquity, the island of Cyprus was an important trading center at the crossroads of Mediterranean shipping routes. Cypriot goods have been discovered as far west as Spain and as far east as India. The artisans of Cyprus were especially famed for their pottery, and this splendid vessel shows that reputation to be justified. Generous in size yet graceful in shape, it probably contained olives or perhaps figs-- two of the exports for which Cyprus was famed. Simple yet elegant, it continues to delight our senses even when empty. With time it has transcended its functional origins to achieve the status of art. - (PF.1989)   « Less

The design consists of two standing, facing figures. On the left is the god with mace, Ninshubur, wearing a hat with a deep brim, a the body and fall tojustabove theknees. He  More »

The design consists of two standing, facing figures. On the left is the god with mace, Ninshubur, wearing a hat with a deep brim, a the body and fall tojustabove theknees. He holds his mace at the waist. The other hand hangs down. On the right is Lamma goddess, in horned tiara and long flounced robe down attheback.Sheisholdingupboth hands in a gesture of greeting and respect. There is a crescent moon and solar disk in the sky.The remainder of the space inscription naming the firstownerofthisseal. But the seal, of a hard stone, passed to asecondownerwhodidnotofcoursewanttheprevious owner’snameonhisseal,soitwasrubbedoffandonlyafewtracesnowremain.Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal - LO.1089Origin: Central Asia Circa: 1900 BCto1400BCDimensions: 1.125" (2.9cm)high Collection:Near Eastern Art Style:Old Babylonian Medium:Hematite   « Less

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 could be 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.2016)   « Less