In the Israel of Biblical times, this elegant vessel might have held an offering of oil or wine. It was perhaps left as a votive gift to win the favor of a powerful deity. As  More »

In the Israel of Biblical times, this elegant vessel might have held an offering of oil or wine. It was perhaps left as a votive gift to win the favor of a powerful deity. 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, we cross the bridge of time and set the imagination on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1639)   « Less

This charming vessel was created on the island of Cyprus for export to the cities of the Levant. Though small, it is rendered with a fine attention to detail that suggests it  More »

This charming vessel was created on the island of Cyprus for export to the cities of the Levant. Though small, it is rendered with a fine attention to detail that suggests it held important contents, perhaps oil, balm or medicine. Its decoration of circles and lines is simple but elegant, as appealing to modern sensibilities as it no doubt was to ancient ones. As we hold this exquisite vessel in our hands today, we share our pleasure with those who first held it so long ago. - (PF.2193)   « 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.3021)   « 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.3022)   « Less

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held oil or wine, or perhaps a liquid offering at a temple. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple  More »

In the Israel of Biblical times, this vessel might have held oil or wine, or perhaps a liquid offering at a temple. 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, we cross the bridge of time and set the imagination on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1573)   « Less

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

In Israel, as in other ancient nations, 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 elegantmay has 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.0207)   « Less

Origin: Israel Circa: 900 BC to 700 BC Collection: Biblical Style: Iron age Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Israel Circa: 900 BC to 700 BC Collection: Biblical Style: Iron age Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Created during the Israelite Monarchy, this elegant vessel might have held an offering of food or drink, or perhaps served as a drinking vessel for a thirsty carpenter. Or  More »

Created during the Israelite Monarchy, this elegant vessel might have held an offering of food or drink, or perhaps served as a drinking vessel for a thirsty carpenter. Or perhaps it held sauces or condiments to delight the palate and spruce up an otherwise humble meal for a shepherd. 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, we cross the bridge of time and set the imagination on a journey of discovery. - (SP.258)   « Less

Iron Age Terracotta Juglet In Israel, as in other ancient nations, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by anointing them with oil. Thus Samuel  More »

Iron Age Terracotta Juglet In Israel, as in other ancient nations, 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. This simple yet charming vessel exudes an energy of the ages, glowing from within its surface, richly patinated by the fingerprints of history. Such a vessel would have been a necessity in the ancient world to contain and transport precious oils and unguents for ritual or daily usage. Although its original contents have long disappeared, the energy of those vanished lives is still contained within this vessel. This jug was once a vital, indispensable part of everyday life in the ancient world. Today, it is even more valuable to our modern lives, not as a container, but as a symbol of the past. This jug holds history inside, it reminds us of the lives, the joys and struggles, the triumphs and defeats, of those who came before us. 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.   « 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. - (SP.291)   « Less