A very nice Iron Age netting Bobbin, see Israel in Antiquity #47. These bobbins were found near coastal sites and were used by net weavers. 53mm long

A very nice Iron Age netting Bobbin, see Israel in Antiquity #47. These bobbins were found near coastal sites and were used by net weavers. 53mm long   « Less

Herodian - Judaean Oil Lamp, 1st Century B.C.E. - 1st Century C.E. 8.2cm length, 5.7cm width. Excellent condition. Adler 77. Handsome stand INCLUDED. A  More »

Herodian - Judaean Oil Lamp, 1st Century B.C.E. - 1st Century C.E. 8.2cm length, 5.7cm width. Excellent condition. Adler 77. Handsome stand INCLUDED. A wonderful specimen.   « Less

Herodian - Judaean Oil Lamp, 1st Century B.C.E. - 1st Century C.E. 8.3cm length, 6.1cm width. Excellent condition. Adler 77. Handsome stand INCLUDED. A nice  More »

Herodian - Judaean Oil Lamp, 1st Century B.C.E. - 1st Century C.E. 8.3cm length, 6.1cm width. Excellent condition. Adler 77. Handsome stand INCLUDED. A nice specimen.   « Less

In the ancient world, engraved gem seals served many functions. In addition to their decorative appeal as jewelry, intaglios could act as an individual's signature, placing  More »

In the ancient world, engraved gem seals served many functions. In addition to their decorative appeal as jewelry, intaglios could act as an individual's signature, placing his mark on property or documents, or as talismans to bring good luck and protect against illness and the evil eye. This unusual piece has as its central motif a running goat, perhaps the celestial Capricorn. To hold such a seal in our hands today is to touch in an intimate way upon the life of the person who owned it long ago. We cannot help but wonder who that person was, what they thought, what mattered to them. This simple object sets the imagination upon an exciting journey of discovery. - (FJ.3258), Origin: Israel, Circa: 900 BC to 700 BC,Dimensions: .875" (2.2cm) high x .75" (1.9cm) wide, Collection: Biblical, Style: Iron Age, Medium: Limestone   « Less

Bronze Conical Incense Burner Top with Repoussé Decoration - LO.662 Origin: Israel Circa: 900 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 7.50" (19.1cm)  More »

Bronze Conical Incense Burner Top with Repoussé Decoration - LO.662 Origin: Israel Circa: 900 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 7.50" (19.1cm) wide Collection: Biblical Antiquities Medium: Bronze   « Less

Crafted in a vigorous abstract style, this superb creature probably served a ritual purpose. The slot in his back and the hinged opening on his belly suggest that he was  More »

Crafted in a vigorous abstract style, this superb creature probably served a ritual purpose. The slot in his back and the hinged opening on his belly suggest that he was meant to contain something which could be retrieved at a later point, much as a modern piggy bank or ballot box might. Though his exact function remains a mystery, it is clear that an early bronze of this size and splendor was a rare and costly treasure in its own time: in our age, it is even more so. - (FZ.117)Origin: Syria Circa: 1200 BC to 700 BC Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high Catalogue: V1, V4 Collection: Biblical Style: Iron Age Medium: Bronze   « Less

Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD Dimensions: 2.50" (6.4cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Art Medium: Terracotta Inscribed with magic  More »

Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD Dimensions: 2.50" (6.4cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Art Medium: Terracotta Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were neglected by the nineteenth century pioneers of Mesopotamian archaeology who were more interested in discovering palace foundations and large-scale sculpture. In more recent years however their importance has been recognised and they have been studied in-depth. The incantations were written in a variety of Aramaic dialects including Jewish Aramaic, Mandaic and Syriac. There are also examples written in Pseudo-script, presumably by less literate scribes. Although the texts are not dated they are generally assigned to the late Sassanian/ early Islamic period (6th-8th century A.D.). Their main function was to trap evil spirits and they were often placed upside down at the corners of rooms, or built into foundations or cemeteries. The texts sometimes instruct them to be placed ‘at the four corners (of the room)’ for extra protection. The names of the clients for whom the bowls were made can be divided into two main categories- Semitic and Persian. However this is not always a reliable guide to their ethnicity. Jewish influence on the Mandaic inscriptions was minimal but is pronounced in the Aramaic incantations. Many of the scribes may have been Jewish or trained by Jews, and the Hebrew Bible is frequently quoted.   « Less

In the Temple of Jerusalem and in synagogues throughout the ancient world, the fragrant smoke of incense filled the air. The high priest burned this aromatic blend of spices  More »

In the Temple of Jerusalem and in synagogues throughout the ancient world, the fragrant smoke of incense filled the air. The high priest burned this aromatic blend of spices and gums on a special altar before the Holy of Holies. The smoke was intended to purify the air of the sanctuary and to please the deity. A costly offering, incense was considered the worthy gift of princes and heads of state. It also carried great spiritual significance hence the saying, ‘Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice,’ (Psalms 141:2). The mahta, or incense shovel, was employed in the ritual of burning and for removing the ashes afterwards. This splendid example, free from graven images, was almost certainly used in a synagogue of the Roman Period. The handle is of column-form, decorated with a Corinthian capital. Origin: En Gedi, Israel Circa: 1 st Century CE to 2 nd Century CE Dimensions: 11.5" (29.2cm) high Catalogue: V12 Collection: Biblical Style: Roman Period Medium: Bronze   « Less

This extraordinary bronze statue is one of the earliest examples of the goddess Asherat, the "Mother of the Gods", or "the Holy One". She was the spouse of El the "Father of  More »

This extraordinary bronze statue is one of the earliest examples of the goddess Asherat, the "Mother of the Gods", or "the Holy One". She was the spouse of El the "Father of Men"; and in Ugarit, a maritime city, she was associated with the sea. It may not be a coincidence therefore that a statue of her came from Byblos, a coastal city. Called Byblos by the Greeks, this prosperous city was the source of papyrus on which they wrote their books, byblia. Though there were close ties with Egypt during this period, this statue is distinctly Near Eastern in style. She is the archetype female, naked and proud, with her arms upraised and fists clenched, characteristic of such goddess figures. Her femininity and overt sexuality is directly related to her being a fertility image. Her function was probably to stand in a temple dedicated to fertility rites, and accept homages by women hoping to conceive. Though she may be a goddess of the past, her power and sexual energy makes her as alive and vibrant today as she was thousands of years ago. - (FZ.351)Origin: Byblos, Lebanon Circa: 1900 BC to 1300 BC Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high Collection: Biblical Style: Middle Bronze Age Medium: Bronze   « Less

A rare--possibly unique--early example of the glassmaker's art, this vase appears as if carved from jade, alabaster or some similar gemstone. In fact, as glass, it was even  More »

A rare--possibly unique--early example of the glassmaker's art, this vase appears as if carved from jade, alabaster or some similar gemstone. In fact, as glass, it was even more precious to the age that created it. Time has in no way diminished that rarity, and we today can continue to delight in its astonishing beauty. - (GF.0007) Origin: Houran,Syria Circa: 4000 BC to 2000 BC Dimensions: 2.65" (6.7cm) high Catalogue: V1 Collection: Biblical Style: Bronze Age Medium: Glass   « Less