From the ancient Near East, Syria, ca. 1000 to 800 BC. Delightful terracotta child's toy in the form of a covered cart and horse - each with original four wheels. Entire unit  More »

From the ancient Near East, Syria, ca. 1000 to 800 BC. Delightful terracotta child's toy in the form of a covered cart and horse - each with original four wheels. Entire unit measures 9"L x 4-1/2"H, wheels once applied using wooden dowels which have been lost to age. ProvenanceEx-private German Collection acquired at auction Material Terracotta Dimensions 9"L x 4-1/2"H   « Less

Found in the Holyland, but quite possibly of Egyptian manufacture, dating to about 600 BC. Large cosmetic jar of banded alabster; with small lug handles, broad flat rim and  More »

Found in the Holyland, but quite possibly of Egyptian manufacture, dating to about 600 BC. Large cosmetic jar of banded alabster; with small lug handles, broad flat rim and thin neck. Small section of rim invisibly restored, else excellent. ProvenanceEx-private Santa Fe NM Collection, acquired at Arte Primitivo Gallery Material Alabaster Dimensions 3-18"H Condition Restored   « Less

Wonderfully carved! Alabaster pyxis from the ancient Bactrian culture of Pakistan / Afghanistan, ca 5th to 3rd centuries BC. Small stone jar decorated liberally with  More »

Wonderfully carved! Alabaster pyxis from the ancient Bactrian culture of Pakistan / Afghanistan, ca 5th to 3rd centuries BC. Small stone jar decorated liberally with carved/incised decorations. 2-3/4"W x 1-3/4"H, broken and repaired, but quite attractive (and rare!). ProvenanceEx-Gualario Collection, Tampa, FL.   « Less

From the ancient Near East, Holy Land, ca. 500 BC. Nicely sculpted terracotta bovine carrying two large baskets across its broad shoulders; long horns and dewlap adorn head.  More »

From the ancient Near East, Holy Land, ca. 500 BC. Nicely sculpted terracotta bovine carrying two large baskets across its broad shoulders; long horns and dewlap adorn head. Painted in black leaf pattern over buff clay. 6-1/2"L x 3-1/2"H, intact/excellent. ProvenanceEx-Harvey Sarner Collection. Material Pottery Dimensions 6-1/2"L x 3-1/2"H Condition Intact   « Less

Islamic Glass Bottle , Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions:Height8.4cm 6,5cm wide colection islamic art.Mold Blown/Tooled Antiquities Ancient Near  More »

Islamic Glass Bottle , Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions:Height8.4cm 6,5cm wide colection islamic art.Mold Blown/Tooled Antiquities Ancient Near East   « Less

Islamic Glass Bottle Circa: 700 AD to 800 AD Dimensions: 27,5cm high 16,2cm wide Collection: Islamic Art Style: Islamic Medium: Glass origin: central asia The  More »

Islamic Glass Bottle Circa: 700 AD to 800 AD Dimensions: 27,5cm high 16,2cm wide Collection: Islamic Art Style: Islamic Medium: Glass origin: central asia The advent of Islam in the seventh century and the empire created by its adherents had little immediate impact on glass production. In the Eastern Mediterranean Classical-Byzantine forms and techniques continued to be practiced, whilst further east Parthian-Sassanian traditions prevailed. By the late eighth century however it is possible to discern a distinctively Islamic style of glass. Cultural ties across the empire and the migration of craftsmen from one area to another helped to fuse Classical and Near-Eastern traditions. Whilst it is certainly true that one of the characteristic features of Islamic glass is the emphasis on decoration, undecorated vessels of great beauty were also created. Many of these were used for everyday purposes by the urban population- as tableware, containers for oils and perfumes, storage vessels, oil lamps and even for scientific and medicinal equipment. Although weathering due to burial often prevents a full appreciation of the chromatic as well as the sculptural appeal of a glass vessel, many have survived in excellent condition and still convey a playful charm. Globular bottles and vases, small flasks and ewers were the favoured shapes during the Islamic period. The decorative elements often took on regular circular forms (discs, roundels, ovals, prunts). The majority of such vessels were decorated with applied glass of the same colour since the shape and distribution on the surface would be sufficient to emphasize the ornamental pattern   « Less

Islamic Glass Bottle Circa: 700 AD to 800 AD Dimensions: 27,5cm high 16,2cm wide Collection: Islamic Art Style: Islamic Medium: Glass origin: central asia The  More »

Islamic Glass Bottle Circa: 700 AD to 800 AD Dimensions: 27,5cm high 16,2cm wide Collection: Islamic Art Style: Islamic Medium: Glass origin: central asia The advent of Islam in the seventh century and the empire created by its adherents had little immediate impact on glass production. In the Eastern Mediterranean Classical-Byzantine forms and techniques continued to be practiced, whilst further east Parthian-Sassanian traditions prevailed. By the late eighth century however it is possible to discern a distinctively Islamic style of glass. Cultural ties across the empire and the migration of craftsmen from one area to another helped to fuse Classical and Near-Eastern traditions. Whilst it is certainly true that one of the characteristic features of Islamic glass is the emphasis on decoration, undecorated vessels of great beauty were also created. Many of these were used for everyday purposes by the urban population- as tableware, containers for oils and perfumes, storage vessels, oil lamps and even for scientific and medicinal equipment. Although weathering due to burial often prevents a full appreciation of the chromatic as well as the sculptural appeal of a glass vessel, many have survived in excellent condition and still convey a playful charm. Globular bottles and vases, small flasks and ewers were the favoured shapes during the Islamic period. The decorative elements often took on regular circular forms (discs, roundels, ovals, prunts). The majority of such vessels were decorated with applied glass of the same colour since the shape and distribution on the surface would be sufficient to emphasize the ornamental pattern   « Less

Early Islamic Glass Bottle Origin: Syria Circa: 700 AD to 800 AD Dimensions:8,9cm high 6,8cm wide Collection: Islamic Art Style:Applied Decoration/Arabic  More »

Early Islamic Glass Bottle Origin: Syria Circa: 700 AD to 800 AD Dimensions:8,9cm high 6,8cm wide Collection: Islamic Art Style:Applied Decoration/Arabic characters Although the development from the pre-Islamic period to the middle of the ninth century is very recognizable in architecture, including works in stone, plaster and wood, it becomes quite blurred on other media such as metalwork and pottery. Between the 5th and the 8th century glass production seems unchanged, although the surviving objects would still point to an industry that persisted and thrived, almost careless of the political and religious turmoils of the Ummayad era, including the death of the prophet Muhammad. Perhaps, the diffusion of glass- blowing and the consequent paucity of high quality glass after the crumbling of the Roman Empire might have hampered the rulers' sponsorship of glassmaking, yet during this period glass became more accessible for mundane use and thus, by loosing its status value, less attractive to affluent patrons. Late Roman glass made along the coasts of modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt that is usually classified as 'eastern Mediterranean� thus kept on being produced during the early Islamic period. Its features include the decoration with applied trails that could be pulled either from the same glass batch or from a different one. Applied trails were also used functionally as handles and feet; commonly the thread was patterned in zigzags or simple spirals. When trails of the same colour were used, they were manipulated with a pointed tool or a fine pincher after they were applied to the vessel. While weathering due to burial often prevents a full appreciation of the chromatic as well as the sculptural appeal of a glass vessel many have survived in excellent condition and still convey a playful charm. Plastic decoration also included patches of glass of different shapes applied at regular intervals to the surface of the vessel. Globular bottles and vases, small flasks and ewers were the favoured shapes during the Islamic period. The decorative patches took either regular circular forms #discs, roundels, ovals, prunts# or irregular geometrical shapes #triangles, six-pointed star, composite figures# that have sometimes been interpreted as animal hides or masks. The majority of such vessels were decorated with patches of the same colour since the shape and distribution on the surface would be sufficient to emphasize the ornamental pattern. This small entirely weathered bottle features a a large flared mouth and a globular body. a ring applied at the base to allow the bottle to stand. The main decoration consists of four H-shaped six pointed figures, unevenly spaced around the body. A trail was applied around the upper part of the body and pincered all around to produce a rib-like decoration in relief. The tips of the H- shaped figures are clearly placed above the thread, thus the thread was clearly applied before the H-shaped figures. The surface is entirely weathered, resulting in a golden iridescent effect, gray pitting and heavy corrosion. Such decorated vessels were once dated exclusively to the pre-Islamic period. However, a dating to the proto-Islamic period #7th -8th century# seems more appropriate, since these objects do not have an immediate parallel with known late Roman pieces. On the other hand they were certainly produced before the codification of shapes and decorative patterns that occurred in the 9th century.   « Less

Very rare ancient Western Asiatic bronze hilted short sword – dagger 10th - 7th Century B.C. The bronze hilt with antenna pommel and cylindrical ribbed grip  More »

Very rare ancient Western Asiatic bronze hilted short sword – dagger 10th - 7th Century B.C. The bronze hilt with antenna pommel and cylindrical ribbed grip splayed at the base to take the double – edged iron blade with medial fuller grooves. The ancient swords with iron blades are extremely rare and rarely survive the ages, disintegrating over time and an example like this is very uncommon to find today in the market in original condition. A weapon like this was reserved for warriors of nobility as this was a very luxurious weapon in its time and one that represented the dawning of a new invention of blade weapons incorporating iron in their blades instead of being entirely made of bronze. CONDITION: showing the age and usage dark green patina, broken blade. MEASUREMENTS: Overall length: 32 cm (12 5/8 in) ALL ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE AUTHENTIC ANTIQUES, AND NOT REPRODUCTIONS. ALL OUR ARTIFACTS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY. WE SHIP INTERNATIONALLY   « Less

Ancient Sumerian cream stone cylinder seal Jemdet Nasr Uruk period (3200-2900 BC) Early Dynastic Period. CONDITION: excellent. MEASUREMENTS: Diameter 16 mm by 11  More »

Ancient Sumerian cream stone cylinder seal Jemdet Nasr Uruk period (3200-2900 BC) Early Dynastic Period. CONDITION: excellent. MEASUREMENTS: Diameter 16 mm by 11 mm.. Cylinder Seals: A recessed inscription was carved onto the cylinder, which produced a raised impression when rolled on a clay tablet or envelope, these types of cylinder seals were frequently used to protect vessels, clay envelopes and storeroom door latches from tampering, the also served as a guarantee of authenticity, marked ownership, and indicated participation in a legal transaction. Cylinder seals were usually made of hard-stone, other known examples are in bone, bronze, faience, glass, wood, or even baked clay. ALL ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE AUTHENTIC ANTIQUES, AND NOT REPRODUCTIONS. ALL OUR ARTIFACTS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY. WE SHIP INTERNATIONALLY   « Less