A mysterious token from the dawn of Western civilization, this stone votive was offered thousands of years ago at the shrine of a powerful god. With a cache of related  More »

A mysterious token from the dawn of Western civilization, this stone votive was offered thousands of years ago at the shrine of a powerful god. With a cache of related artifacts, it was discovered along the shores of Lake Van. The deity whose favor it sought was apparently a nature god, associated also with fertility and rebirth. This superb statue depicts a reclining votary confronting the head of a bird that springs from the opposite end of the sculpture. In this ancient cult, the bird seems associated with the idea of the soul, perhaps a transformation in the afterlife. The image engraved on the bottom of the votive depicts a seated idol. Pressed into soft wax or clay, it would have produced multiple images to please the heavens. The effect of this rare sculpture is powerful and haunting. It touches a chord deep in the soul, something ancient but not completely forgotten. - (D.0171)Man/Bird Votive Figure With An Intaglio - D.0171Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: 1" (2.5cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

This ancient lamp's simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design being of Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have  More »

This ancient lamp's simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design being of 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.417)   « Less

Origin: Israel, Lebanon, Palestine Circa: 1640 BC to 1500 BC Dimensions: 0.750" (1.9cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Canaanite Medium: Green Jasper The  More »

Origin: Israel, Lebanon, Palestine Circa: 1640 BC to 1500 BC Dimensions: 0.750" (1.9cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Canaanite Medium: Green Jasper The ancient Egyptians maintained that the sun was propelled across the heavens by means of a scarab, or sacred beetle. With the passing of time, the Egyptians created a series of amulets in the form of this beetle in a great variety of materials, and these were routinely provided with inscriptions in hieroglyphs conveniently accommodated to their stylized flat bottoms. So popular was the scarab that it became the one amulet associated with Egypt by all of her neighbors, and local variations were created in imitation of the Egyptian model. Our scarab is just such a variation. Created in green jasper, the artist has simplified the beetle’s upper body so that there is no division between its thorax and elytra, or wing case, although he has attempted to suggest their division by means of an incised dash along each vertical side of the beetle’s body. The beetle’s head is suggested by the arrangement of the two oblique incisions which likewise separate it from the plate while the clypeus is indicated by series of incised dashes.   « 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 at  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 time less. These seals represent dreams ,hopes and aspirations for health ,success, and happiness that are as old as civilization itself. -(D.0172) Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0172 Origin: 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 votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shoresof Lake Van.Evokingthedawnof  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shoresof Lake Van.Evokingthedawnof Westernculture,theseapparentlywereofferingsatheshrineofsomepowerfulgod.Thisunknowndeityappearstohavebeenassociatedwithfertilityandrebirth.Thedesign that adorns them—of birds, animals, cult idols—probably stoodinproxyformorecostlysacrifices.Pressedintosoftclayorwax,theywouldhavecreatedmultipleimagestowinthefavorofthegod.Carvedwithanabstractsimplicitybutanobservanteyetowardnature,hestarkvisualappealofthispieceistimeless.Thesesealsrepresentdreams,hopesandaspirationsforhealth,success,andhappinessthatareasoldascivilizationitself.-(D.0173)Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0173Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa:4000BCto3000BCDimensions:1.375(3.5cm)highx.75(1.9cm)wideollection: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 at  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 he 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 he god. Carved with an abstract simplicity but an observant eye toward nature, he 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.0174 Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0174Origin: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.421)   « Less

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shoresof Lake Van.Evokingthedawnof  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shoresof Lake Van.Evokingthedawnof Westernculture,theseapparentlywereofferingsatheshrineofsomepowerfulgod.Thisunknowndeityappearstohavebeenassociatedwithfertilityandrebirth.Thedesign that adorns them—of birds, animals, cult idols—probably stoodinproxyformorecostlysacrifices.Pressedintosoftclayorwax,theywouldhavecreatedmultipleimagestowinthefavorofthegod.Carvedwithanabstractsimplicitybutanobservanteyetowardnature,hestarkvisualappealofthispieceistimeless.Thesesealsrepresentdreams,hopesandaspirationsforhealth,success,andhappinessthatareasoldascivilizationitself.-(D.0175)Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0175Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa:4000BCto3000BCDimensions:1.375(3.5cm)highx.75(1.9cm)wideollection: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.424)   « 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.425)   « Less