Shaped like an abstract bird, this ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture,  More »

Shaped like an abstract bird, 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 nature god. The design that adorns them—of birds, animals, seated 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. It is possible that the bird, a recurring motif, was associated with the idea of the soul. Carved with 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.0177)Votive Bird Seal With An Intaglio - D.0177Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) wide Collection:Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Made of terracotta, 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  More »

Made of terracotta, 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. - (CK.0145)   « Less

Originally an offering at the shrine of a powerful deity, this votive seal was discovered with a cache of related artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. The cult most likely  More »

Originally an offering at the shrine of a powerful deity, this votive seal was discovered with a cache of related artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. The cult most likely centered around a nature god, one concerned with fertility and rebirth. This abstract animal, perhaps a turtle, maybe a quail, was most likely worn as an amulet by a worshipper. The intaglio on the base depicts a waterfowl and may have stood in proxy for more a costly sacrifice. Pressed into soft wax or clay, it would have created multiple images to please the deity. Abstract and elegant yet closely observant of nature, this remarkable seal evokes a vanished world at the dawn of Western culture. - (D.0178)Zoomorphic Votive Seal With An Intaglio - D.0178Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: 1"(2.5cm)highx1.875"(4.8cm)depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Shaped like an abstract bird, this ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shores of Lake Van. Evoking the dawn of Western culture,  More »

Shaped like an abstract bird, 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 nature god. The design that adorns them—of birds, animals, seated 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. It is possible that the bird, a recurring motif, was associated with the idea of the soul. Carved with 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.0179)Votive Bird Seal With An Intaglio - D.0179 Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 3" (7.6cm) 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.0180)Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0180Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa:4000BCto3000BCDimensions:1.375(3.5cm)highx.75(1.9cm)wideollection:Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Origin: Israel Circa: 1200 BC to 560 BC Dimensions: 6.29" (16.0cm) high x 5.59" (14.2cm) wide Collection: Biblical Antiquities Style: Iron Age Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Israel Circa: 1200 BC to 560 BC Dimensions: 6.29" (16.0cm) high x 5.59" (14.2cm) wide Collection: Biblical Antiquities Style: Iron Age Medium: Terracotta   « 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.0182)Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.0182Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa:4000BCto3000BCDimensions:1.375(3.5cm)highx.75(1.9cm)wideollection:Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Origin: Hebron, Judean Hills Circa: 1200 BC to 1000 BC Dimensions: 1.80" (4.6cm) high x 5.75" (14.6cm) wide Collection: Biblical Antiquities Style: Iron Age I Medium:  More »

Origin: Hebron, Judean Hills Circa: 1200 BC to 1000 BC Dimensions: 1.80" (4.6cm) high x 5.75" (14.6cm) wide Collection: Biblical Antiquities Style: Iron Age I Medium: Terracotta   « Less

The principal pattern decorating this very ancient vessel may represent the tree of life, amotifwhichstillappearshroughouthe Near  More »

The principal pattern decorating this very ancient vessel may represent the tree of life, amotifwhichstillappearshroughouthe Near Easttoday.Imaginethehandsthatshapeditsolongago,anddrewquickpatternsinthestillwetclay;orthehandsthatfilleditwithsomedesirablecommodity--cosmetics, perfume, rare balm. We can almost picture the person who purchased the vessel, used its contents, and was buried with it. When we hold this lovely amphora today, it is like a key that opens a hundred doorways through which the imagination might pass into a long-forgotten world. - (P.2295)Amphora with Incised Decorations - P.2295Origin: Syria Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BCDimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.875" (7.3cm) wide Catalogue: V1Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Terracotta   « Less

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.01461)Man/Bird Votive Figure With An Intaglio - D.01461Origin: 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