This imposing ceramic sculpture is a votive figure from the middle of the first millennium BC, and represents a deity in the Phoenician pantheon. Unusually for the  More »

This imposing ceramic sculpture is a votive figure from the middle of the first millennium BC, and represents a deity in the Phoenician pantheon. Unusually for the Phoenicians – who seem to have had more goddesses than gods – it represents a male. The figure halts at about the level of the knees, and has been slightly restored so it stands correctly. The detailing of the piece has largely been ignored or perhaps eroded, which endows it with a considerable monolithic presence. The figure is very broad, but comparatively shallow from front to back. The major lines indicate that it is attired in a simple tunic, and that the head was probably covered with some textile that ran into the main garment(s). The lines of the face indicate high, sharp cheekbones, a long nose and a slight smile that is reminiscent of early Greek Archaic pieces. The arms have been damaged but it appears that he was originally standing with his right arm raised in what is generally assumed to be benediction, and the left resting on the hip/side. The back of the piece is almost completely plain, implying that it was always meant to be viewed from the front rather than in the round, which is appropriate for figures destined for shrines. The piece retains some calcareous concretions from its long interment in the Mediterranean, and one especially impressive shell is adhering to the right arm.   « Less

This imposing ceramic sculpture is a votive figure from the middle of the first millennium BC, and represents a deity in the Phoenician pantheon. Unusually – for the  More »

This imposing ceramic sculpture is a votive figure from the middle of the first millennium BC, and represents a deity in the Phoenician pantheon. Unusually – for the Phoenicians depicted more goddesses than gods – it represents a male figure, standing on a square, integrated pedestal base, resting his weight on his right leg in a somewhat casual manner, his left leg bent and flexed forward. He is wearing a long robe-like garment that runs over both shoulders down to the ground, and concealing a further piece of clothing (possibly a tunic). His right hand is raised in what is considered to be benediction, his left tucked into his hip. The head appears to be covered with a textile cap or an extrusion of the robe. The facial features are crisply rendered and well preserved. The pose of the personage is characteristic of Phoenician art, and also that of the Archaic period in Greece, which it helped inspire. The back of the piece is almost completely plain, implying that it was always meant to be viewed .from the front rather than in the round, which is appropriate for figures destined for shrines. The piece has attracted some calcareous encrustation from its long immersion in the Mediterranean.   « Less

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel,  More »

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel, Lebanon and Syria, while their sphere of conquest and influence extended throughout the Mediterranean and even beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Straits of Gibraltar) and into the Mediterranean-Atlantic. Their power was due primarily to their mastery of seamanship – which they developed to a whole new level during their pre-eminence – and extremely well-organised administration which was strengthened by extensive use of the alphabet. Indeed, it was the Phoenicians who introduced the alphabet to the Greeks, who in turn passed it onto the rest of the Western World. They were essentially Canaanites, to whom they were identical in sociocultural and material terms, the only difference being the massive range over which their cultural remains and heritage can be found. Phoenician society was comparatively stable when compared to the changeable fortunes of other Eastern Mediterranean cultures, primarily due to its broad royal, political and religious foundations. The town of Byblos became a major hub for trade all over the Fertile Crescent, followed by Tyre and Sidon; overseas territories notably included Carthage (founded 814 BC), but they either took over or culturally dominated trading ports from Cyprus to Malta, Spain, Portugal and Sardinia. They traded in purple dye (“Tyrian Purple”), textiles, luxury ceramics, silver, tin (with England) and glass, explored down the west coast of Africa as far as the Gulf of Guinea, and may even have circumnavigated Africa in around 600 BC. - (CK.0244)   « Less

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high x 18.5" (47.0cm) wide x 5.25" (13.3cm) depth Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high x 18.5" (47.0cm) wide x 5.25" (13.3cm) depth Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 13.78" (35.0cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 13.78" (35.0cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 13.75" (34.9cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 13.75" (34.9cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 11.5" (29.2cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 11.5" (29.2cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 15" (38.1cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 15" (38.1cm) high x 4.25" (10.8cm) wide Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Lebanon circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 12.5" (31.8cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide x 12.5" (31.8cm) depth Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium:  More »

Origin: Lebanon circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 12.5" (31.8cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide x 12.5" (31.8cm) depth Collection: Biblical Style: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 16.5" (41.9cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide x 4.25" (10.8cm) depth Collection: Biblical atyle: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Lebanon Circa: 600 BC to 500 BC Dimensions: 16.5" (41.9cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide x 4.25" (10.8cm) depth Collection: Biblical atyle: Phoenician Medium: Terracotta   « Less