This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the pre-Exilic Period. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.400)   « Less

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the pre-Exilic Period. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.401)   « Less

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the pre-Exilic Period. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.402)   « Less

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its thickened, pedestal base, this lamp probably derives from the  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its thickened, pedestal base, this lamp probably derives from the Southern Kingdom of Israel during the period of the Divided Kingdom. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.403)   « Less

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the pre-Exilic Period. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.405)   « Less

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at the shrine of some powerful god. This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth.The design that adorns them—of birds, animals, cult idols—probably stood in proxy for more costly sacrifices. Pressed into soft clay or wax, they would have created multiple images to win the favor of the god. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature, the stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless. These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success,and happiness that are as old as civilization itself. -(D.0162) Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0162Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimensions: 1.375" (3.5cm) high x .75" (1.9cm) wide Collection:Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its low, flat base, this lamp probably derives from the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the pre-Exilic Period. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.406)   « Less

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings a  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings a the shrine of some powerful god. This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth.The design that adorns them—of birds, animals, cult idols—probably stood in proxy for more costly sacrifices. Pressed into soft clay or wax, they would have created multiple images to win the favor of the god. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature, the stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless. These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success,and happiness that are as old as civilization itself.-(D.0163)Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0163Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa:4000BCto3000BCDimensions: 1.375" (3.5cm) high x .75" (1.9cm) wide Collection:Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture, these apparently were offerings at the shrine of some powerful god. This unknown deity appears to have been associated with fertility and rebirth.The design that adorns them—of birds, animals, cult idols—probably stood in proxy for more costly sacrifices. Pressed into soft clay or wax, they would have created multiple images to win the favor of the god. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature, the stark visual appeal of this piece is timeless. These seals represent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success,and happiness that are as old as civilization itself. -(D.0164) Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0164Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimensions: 1.375" (3.5cm) high x .75" (1.9cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its thickened, pedestal base, this lamp probably derives from the  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at the height of the Israelite monarchy. Judging by its thickened, pedestal base, this lamp probably derives from the Southern Kingdom of Israel during the period of the Divided Kingdom. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.407)   « Less