Origin: Middle East Circa: 100 BC to 800 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman-Islamic Medium: Glass Additional Information: SOLD Necklace composed of antique glass beads  More »

Origin: Middle East Circa: 100 BC to 800 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman-Islamic Medium: Glass Additional Information: SOLD Necklace composed of antique glass beads from the Roman through the Islamic periods.The love of ornament is as old as civilization itself. By wearing jewelry that is unusual or unique, we define ourselves as individuals and set ourselves apart from the crowd. Throughout antiquity, in every great culture, beads were formed from colored gems, glass, ceramic, shell, bone and metal in an endless variety of shapes and sizes. Sometimes they were worn for their magical or curative powers, at other times simply for their beauty. They were worn by people, highborn and low, the citizen of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Judea, Greece, Rome and Byzantium. Frequently these jewels, so prized in life, were buried with their owners to adorn them through eternity. When we wear them today, we add another chapter to their long and fascinating history. - (SB.0364)   « Less

Origin: Syria Circa: 3300 BC to 2300 BC Medium: Rock Crystal/quartz Additional Information: SOLD

Origin: Syria Circa: 3300 BC to 2300 BC Medium: Rock Crystal/quartz Additional Information: SOLD   « Less

Origin: Europe Circa: 1800 AD to 1900 AD Collection: Cameos Medium: Agate/Gold Additional Information: Sold The delicate profile on this cameo bears a striking  More »

Origin: Europe Circa: 1800 AD to 1900 AD Collection: Cameos Medium: Agate/Gold Additional Information: Sold The delicate profile on this cameo bears a striking resemblance to Sabina, wife of the emperor Hadrian. This lovely echo of antiquity does not seem the product of a particular age or time, but rather seems to possess an eternal beauty, as much at home in our age as in any other. - (SJ.0053)   « Less

Origin: Tel Mardik, Syria Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Collection: Jewelry Medium: Stone Additional Information: SOLD Centuries ago, these beads must have been the  More »

Origin: Tel Mardik, Syria Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Collection: Jewelry Medium: Stone Additional Information: SOLD Centuries ago, these beads must have been the cherished possession of some fabled beauty. Their rich, earthy color surely complimented the dark luster of her eyes to perfection. Perhaps most remarkable about these beads is that they appeal to the contemporary eye with the same simple elegance that must have delighted ancient tastes. True beauty transcends time, as the woman who wears these splendid strands today will certainly prove. - (FB.0030)   « Less

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 100 AD to 300 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman Cameo Ring Medium: Sardonyx and Gold Additional Information: Sold Cameos are hard or  More »

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 100 AD to 300 AD Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman Cameo Ring Medium: Sardonyx and Gold Additional Information: Sold Cameos are hard or precious stones carved in relief. The cameo is usually a gem (commonly agate, onyx, or sardonyx) having two different colored layers, with the figures carved in one layer so that they are raised on a background of the other. The cameo is the converse of the intaglio, which consists of an incised, or sunken, engraving in the same class of materials.Cameos exist in large numbers from the early Sumerian period (c. 3100 BC) to the decline of Roman civilization, from the Renaissance to the Neoclassical period in the 18th century. While Greek cameos were purely decorative (as opposed to intaglios, which were used as seals), Roman cameos were usually carved with portraits and mythological scenes. This stunning cameo represents a lion, a symbol of strength and ferocity associated with kings and rulers since the days of antiquity. The largest of the cat family, this animal is known as the “king of the beasts.” They are equally feared and respected for their power, speed, and intimidating growl. Today, mounted in a gorgeous 18 karat Roman gold ring dating from the 1930’s modeled after Classical examples, this cameo is a stunning centerpiece symbolic of the strength and fortitude of the Roman Empire. - (FJ.7129)   « Less

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 100 AD to 300 AD Dimensions: 0.4" (1.0cm) high x 0.275" (0.7cm) wide x 0.2" (0.5cm) depth Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman Additional  More »

Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 100 AD to 300 AD Dimensions: 0.4" (1.0cm) high x 0.275" (0.7cm) wide x 0.2" (0.5cm) depth Collection: Jewelry Style: Roman Additional Information: SOLD   « Less

Origin: Israel Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Scarab Pendants Medium: Steatite/Gold Additional Information: SOLD The scarab beetle of ancient Egypt is an  More »

Origin: Israel Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Scarab Pendants Medium: Steatite/Gold Additional Information: SOLD The scarab beetle of ancient Egypt is an emblem of the creator Kheper. The word "Kheper" denotes being, existence, creation or becoming and the God Khepera 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. It was thought that a sacred beetle rolled the orb of the sun across the sky, and a winged scarab was associated with dawn and rebirth. In the ritual of mummification, a scarab replaced the heart. Carved scarabs served two major functions: as amulets with protective and religious powers and as personal seals that designated the property and authority of the individual whose name was placed upon it. In both cases the power ascribed to the scarab was very great. In life it served as the signature of their owner and was thought to bring prosperity and in the afterlife it insured continuous re-birth through eternity. A lovely carved design appears on the under side of this ancient scarab. Down the center is a double incised line twisted into a rope shape. At each corner other incised parallel lines form angles with rounded corners. Single incised lines come to a point at the center of the scarab on each side of the rope pattern. We can only guess at the imaginative thoughts that went through the ancient artist's creative mind as he carved this delicate scarab. However, the spirited energy expressed through this amulet can still be felt today, capturing our imagination and sending it back to a time when the pharaohs ruled a mighty kingdom and scarabs such as this blessed both the king and the farmer alike. - (FJ.3453)   « Less

Origin: Israel Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Steatite/Gold Additional Information: SOLD Perhaps no single object better embodies the mystery and  More »

Origin: Israel Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Steatite/Gold Additional Information: SOLD Perhaps no single object better embodies the mystery and magic of Ancient Egypt than the scarab. Representing the sacred desert beetle, scarabs were used by king and commoner alike as amulets of good fortune and prosperity. Certain scarabs also functioned as personal seals, which designated the property and authority of the person whose name appears on them. An emblem of Kephera, the creator, and the scarab was worshiped from the earliest period of civilization in Egypt. In addition to its aura of luck, the scarab represented eternal life and resurrection. The Ancient Egyptians frequently wore the scarab as jewelry, especially in rings, bracelets and necklaces. To wear a scarab today is to link us with Egypt at the height of her grandeur. It also invites the accumulated good fortune of centuries to smile upon us, as it did upon its ancient owner. - (FJ.3465)   « Less

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience Additional Information: SOLD According to Egyptologists, such beads were made on an  More »

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Medium: Faience Additional Information: SOLD According to Egyptologists, such 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 Egyptian Kingdom. In the art of Ancient Egypt, we see lovely women adorned with such jewels. To wear these beads today is to follow in the royal tradition of Nefertiti, Tutankhamen and Cleopatra. - (FJ.4566)   « Less

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Medium: Faience Additional Information: SOLD According to Egyptologists, such beads were  More »

Origin: Egypt (Sinai) Circa: 1600 BC to 1100 BC Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Medium: Faience Additional Information: SOLD According to Egyptologists, such 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 Egyptian Kingdom. In the art of Ancient Egypt, we see lovely women adorned with such jewels. To wear these beads today is to follow in the royal tradition of Nefertiti, Tutankhamen and Cleopatra. - (FJ.4571)   « Less