Early Dynastic III; c. 2600-2300 B.C. The calf stands statically on all four legs, the front right leg slightly in front of the left, the two back legs parallel, with a  More »

Early Dynastic III; c. 2600-2300 B.C. The calf stands statically on all four legs, the front right leg slightly in front of the left, the two back legs parallel, with a large tail curved over and resting on his back. The muzzle of the calf is clearly defined as are the protruding ears and slightly downward turned horns. The eyes are incised and each pupil is delineated by a small dot. Incision is also used to mark the ribs of the animal and can be clearly seen on the left side of its body. On an integral plinth. Calves and bovines were sacred as associated with the goddess Ninhursaga during most of Mesopotamian history. Ninhursaga was directly associated with the fecundity of animals, especially livestock. One of the translations of her name is in fact “mother birth hut”, associating her with procreation as well as the place where birth takes place, thereby making the calf a most appropriate symbol. This piece is extremely similar to larger scale cast copper figures of bulls which appear on her temple at Tell Al’-Ubaid. 2.55 x 2.12 inches (6.5 x 5.4 cms) Export Approval from Israel Antiquities Authority   « Less

c. 1st Millennium B.C. Cast bronze figure of an ibex with nice detail including ribbed horns and a collar which continues into the suspension loop. Excellent and original  More »

c. 1st Millennium B.C. Cast bronze figure of an ibex with nice detail including ribbed horns and a collar which continues into the suspension loop. Excellent and original condition with nice patina. Extremely rare example. 1.9 x 1.2 inches (5 x 2.9 cms) Plexiglas stand, worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price. Export Approval from Israel Antiquities Authority. ******** The Luristan culture consisted of communities living in and around the Zagros Mountains between Iran and Iraq in the late 2nd and early 1st millennia B.C., distinctive for their bronze-working industry. Their origins are obscure, but they may have originated in the Caucasus away to the east; they seem to have been ancestral to the Medes and Persians. Their bronze work is characterized by ornamentation that includes the free use of animal and demonic human forms applied to such products as weapons, horse fittings, and jewelry.   « Less

c. 1st Millennium B.C. The large cast bronze finial depicts a shamanistic depiction of the Master of Animals with each hand terminating in a confronted animal head. In  More »

c. 1st Millennium B.C. The large cast bronze finial depicts a shamanistic depiction of the Master of Animals with each hand terminating in a confronted animal head. In excellent condition with nice, natural brown patina. 14 inches (34 cms) high Custom plexiglas stand, worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price. Export Approval from Israel Antiquities Authority. ********** The powerful iconography of these standard finials remains mysterious though undeniably hypnotic. Most probably offered as votives to the local gods, they depict scenes from a mythology which was never written down. The central image involves a god/hero who has power over threatening beasts and monsters.   « Less

c. 7th-8th Century A.D. Mold made using reddish buff clay, comprised of tear shaped body with ring base. Ornamented with birds and animals in discus, star decoration on  More »

c. 7th-8th Century A.D. Mold made using reddish buff clay, comprised of tear shaped body with ring base. Ornamented with birds and animals in discus, star decoration on base. Remains of red paint. In very good and original condition. 3.58 x 3.35 x 1.22 inches (9.5 x 8.5 x 3.1 cms) Custom lucite stand, worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price. Export Approval from Israel Antiquities Authority. Bibliography: Qedem 8 , “Ancient Lamps in the Schloessinger Collection”, (Jerusalem, 1978). ********* The lamp, in the form of a small clay bowl in which oil was burned, was the most common form of domestic lighting from very early times. As olive oil was plentiful in Palestine, this was the fuel normally used in lamps. “As thou shalt command the children of Yisra’el, that they bring pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always” (Exodus 27:20); the wick was usually made of flax. According to the Mishna, a much greater variety of oils was used for lighting during the Roman period, included oils extracted from sesame seeds, nuts, horseradish and vegetable resins: naptha (an inflammable oil, obtained by dry distillation of coal, shale, etc.) is also mentioned   « Less

Two ancient Mesopotamian Limestone Cylinder Seals.(3500BC-640AD) Perhaps Bactrian,Sumerian,or Sassanian Empire.2.8cm.X1.3cm. and 2.3cm.X 1.3cm. These were meant to be  More »

Two ancient Mesopotamian Limestone Cylinder Seals.(3500BC-640AD) Perhaps Bactrian,Sumerian,or Sassanian Empire.2.8cm.X1.3cm. and 2.3cm.X 1.3cm. These were meant to be worn as jewelry,so to be readily available for authorization and notarization signatures on the first clay tablets.Often discovered in the tombs at the ancient burial sites.Placed there to honor the deceased. Excellent condition.No claims to actual age,era, or origin. Paypal is accepted.Insurance is extra charge.   « Less

c. 2nd -1st Century B.C. The female figure is depicted nude and reclines on her left hip with her legs crossed. The right arm rests against the hip and the left arm is  More »

c. 2nd -1st Century B.C. The female figure is depicted nude and reclines on her left hip with her legs crossed. The right arm rests against the hip and the left arm is bent at the elbow with the hand poised to hold a cup which is now missing. The facial features are finely detailed with large, inset eyes. The hair is pulled back into a chignon. This is an excellent and remarkably intact example of a piece of sculpture which is characteristic of the Parthian Empire during this period as well as the Ancient Near East as a whole. Similar examples found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 8.8 x 3.2 inches (22.35 x 8.13 cms) Worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price. Export Approval from Israel Antiquities Authority. ******** The Parthian Empire originated in the area of what is now northeast Iran, along the Caspian Sea. Originally a semi-nomadic people they clashed with the Seleucid dynasty in the 3rd Century B.C. following the death of Alexander the Great, and eventually became the dominate power in the region. During its height the empire reached to the Persian Gulf in the south and encapsulated the Tigris and Euphrates in the west, with the residence of the kings being placed in Ctesiphon on the Tigris River. It was not until their defeat by the Sassanians in the 3rd Century A.D. that their empire came to an end.   « Less

Late Bronze Age; c. 1400-1200 B.C. Mould made with accentuated breasts and abdomen this figure is one of many that was mass produced at this time suggesting such figures  More »

Late Bronze Age; c. 1400-1200 B.C. Mould made with accentuated breasts and abdomen this figure is one of many that was mass produced at this time suggesting such figures were prevalent. The figure is adorned with various kinds of jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. The lines on her abdomen and pubic area may represent decorated garments or additional jewelry and pubic hair. Details such as the hair, toes, nipples and some facial features are defined while other areas such as the arms are very crudely delineated. Over 40 similar examples can be found in The British Museum after a cache of these figures was excavated by W.K. Loftus is Susa in 1852. 5.3 x 1.7 inches (13.46 x 4.32 cms) Custom stand, worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price. Export Approval from Israel Antiquities Authority. Bibliography: D. Collon, Ancient Near Eastern art (London, The British Museum Press, 1995) P.O. Harper, J. Aruz, and F. Tallon, The royal city of Susa (New York, Metropolitan Museum, 1992) J. Curtis, 'William Kennett Loftus and his excavations at Susa', Iranica Antiqua-4, 28 (1993), pp. 1-55   « Less

c. 10th Century A.D. A Conical shaped bowl with cream slip and black and red decoration. Black kufic script on the interior sides of bowl with five botehs painted in red  More »

c. 10th Century A.D. A Conical shaped bowl with cream slip and black and red decoration. Black kufic script on the interior sides of bowl with five botehs painted in red between the script. Two small black circles in the center of the bowl. The exterior is undecorated. In very good and original condition. 9.5 x 3.4 inches (24.13 x 8.64 cms) Worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price. Export Approval from the Israel Antiquities Authority. ****** Nishapur lies in what was once Northeast Persia and is now part of modern Iran. This location afforded Nishapur an important strategic position astride the old Silk Road that linked Anatolia and the Mediterranean with China. On the Silk Road, Nishapur has often defined the flexible frontier between the Iranian plateau and Central Asia. The town derived its name from its reputed founder, the Sassanian king Shapur I, who is said to have established it in the 3rd century A.D..   « Less

c. 10th Century A.D. Finely decorated conical vessel with a black kufic script interspersed between brown and ochre non-figurative designs, on a cream slip. Kufic script  More »

c. 10th Century A.D. Finely decorated conical vessel with a black kufic script interspersed between brown and ochre non-figurative designs, on a cream slip. Kufic script at the center within a painted discus. Reddish brown scalloped border along the edge of the bowl. In excellent and original condition. 9.8 x 3.8 inches (24.89 x 9.65 cms) Worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price. Export Approval from the Israel Antiquities Authority. ****** Nishapur lies in what was once Northeast Persia and is now part of modern Iran. This location afforded Nishapur an important strategic position astride the old Silk Road that linked Anatolia and the Mediterranean with China. On the Silk Road, Nishapur has often defined the flexible frontier between the Iranian plateau and Central Asia. The town derived its name from its reputed founder, the Sassanian king Shapur I, who is said to have established it in the 3rd century A.D.   « Less

c. 10th Century A.D. A conical form bowl with black kufic script on a cream slip with a black dot at the center of the vessel. In good and original condition.  More »

c. 10th Century A.D. A conical form bowl with black kufic script on a cream slip with a black dot at the center of the vessel. In good and original condition. 9.2 x 3.7 inches (23.37 x 9.39 cms) Worldwide shipping and Certificate of Authenticity included in price. Export Approval from the Israel Antiquities Authority. ****** Nishapur lies in what was once Northeast Persia and is now part of modern Iran. This location afforded Nishapur an important strategic position astride the old Silk Road that linked Anatolia and the Mediterranean with China. On the Silk Road, Nishapur has often defined the flexible frontier between the Iranian plateau and Central Asia. The town derived its name from its reputed founder, the Sassanian king Shapur I, who is said to have established it in the 3rd century A.D.   « Less