The Bactrio-Margiana Archeological Complex (BMAC) can be defined by the commonality of cultural expression, including bronze metallurgy throughout a vast geographical area  More »

The Bactrio-Margiana Archeological Complex (BMAC) can be defined by the commonality of cultural expression, including bronze metallurgy throughout a vast geographical area encompassing modern Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and northern Afghanistan. During the late third and early second millennia BC, this area of western Central Asia produced a vast array of metal ornaments, attesting to a highly developed civilization, constituted by small fortified urban centres, connected by waterways and well engaged in trade and commerce with both sedentary and nomadic peoples.At that time, local craftsmen were already well versed in the metallurgy of copper and arsenical copper and fully mastered the bronze fusion in moulds and lost wax, creating extremely complex forms both for ceremonial and utilitarian artifacts.   « Less

In Israel, as in other ancient nations, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by annointing them with oil. Thus Samuel annointed Saul as king, as  More »

In Israel, as in other ancient nations, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by annointing them with oil. Thus Samuel annointed Saul as king, as Moses hallowed the tabernacle and Aaron the High Priest before, and Abraham had sanctified Isaac. A vessel such as this--simple but elegant--may have contained oil for ritual use. Whose hands might have held it so long ago we can only guess, yet the connection is a direct one between our age and theirs. - (PF.0111)   « Less

In Israel, as in other ancient kingdoms, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by anointing them with oil. Thus Samuel anointed Saul king, as Moses  More »

In Israel, as in other ancient kingdoms, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by anointing them with oil. Thus Samuel anointed Saul king, as Moses had hallowed the tabernacle and Aaron the High Priest before, and Abraham had sanctified Isaac. A vessel such as this--simple but elegant--may have contained oil for ritual use. Whose hands might have held it so long ago we can only guess, yet the connection is a direct one between our age and theirs. - (PF.0121)   « Less

In Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty,  More »

In Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, the centuries melt away and the imagination sets out on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1514)   « Less

In the Israel of biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its  More »

In the Israel of biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, the centuries melt away and the imagination sets out on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1547)   « Less

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its  More »

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, the centuries melt away and the imagination sets out on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1548)   « Less

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its  More »

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, the centuries melt away and the imagination sets out on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1549)   « Less

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its  More »

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, the centuries melt away and the imagination sets out on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1550)   « Less

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have been held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring  More »

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have been held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, the centuries melt away and the imagination sets out on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1552)   « Less

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its  More »

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, the centuries melt away and the imagination sets out on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1553)   « Less