Fatimid Small Rock Crystal Vessel - OF.197, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 11 th Century AD to 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 1.6" (4.1cm) high x 2.0" (5.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic  More »

Fatimid Small Rock Crystal Vessel - OF.197, Origin: Egypt, Circa: 11 th Century AD to 12 th Century AD, Dimensions: 1.6" (4.1cm) high x 2.0" (5.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Fatimid, Medium: Glass, At the height of their power, the Fatimid Caliphate ruled much of the Islamic world, including North Africa, the Hejaz, and the Eastern Mediterranean, from their capital in Cairo. However, their roots can be traced to the shores of Ifriqiya in modern day Tunisia and eastern Algeria where in 909 A.D. an imam from the Ismaili sect of the Shia branch of Islam declared himself caliph and adopted the name of al-Mahdi (the Divinely Guided One). Directly opposing the power of the Sunni Abbasids, the Fatimids legitimized their claim to authority by tracing their descent to Muhammad by way of his daughter Fatima (hence the name Fatimid) and her husband Ali, the first Shia imam. Soon after their founding, the Fatimids began to expand outwards, swiftly bringing all of the Maghreb under their dominion. Thereafter, the Fatimids set their sights to the East where the Abbasids centers of power lay.   « Less

At the dawn of the Christian era, this vessel might have held oils or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of milk or honey. From such a vessel as this, wine might have been  More »

At the dawn of the Christian era, this vessel might have held oils or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of milk or honey. From such a vessel as this, wine might have been served at the Last Supper. 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.1520)   « Less

At the dawn of the Christian era, this vessel might have held oils or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of milk or honey. From such a vessel as this, wine might have been  More »

At the dawn of the Christian era, this vessel might have held oils or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of milk or honey. From such a vessel as this, wine might have been served at the Last Supper. 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.1522)   « Less

At the dawn of the Christian era, this vessel might have held oils or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. From such a vessel, Mary Magdalene might have  More »

At the dawn of the Christian era, this vessel might have held oils or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. From such a vessel, Mary Magdalene might have anointed the feet of Christ. 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.1537)   « Less

At the dawn of the Christian era, this vessel might have held oils or perfumes, or perhaps and offering of wine or honey. From such a vessel, Mary Magdalene might have  More »

At the dawn of the Christian era, this vessel might have held oils or perfumes, or perhaps and offering of wine or honey. From such a vessel, Mary Magdalene might have anointed the feet of Christ. 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.1540)   « Less

Large Islamic Glazed Amphora - SF.122, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions:21.25" (54.0cm) high, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic, Medium:  More »

Large Islamic Glazed Amphora - SF.122, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions:21.25" (54.0cm) high, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic, Medium: Glazed Terracotta.   « Less

Stone Bird Relief - SF.195, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm), high x 7.50" (19.1cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic,  More »

Stone Bird Relief - SF.195, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 6.75" (17.1cm), high x 7.50" (19.1cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern, Style: Islamic, Medium: Stone.   « Less

At the dawn of the Christian era, this vessel might have held oils or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. From such a vessel, Mary Magdalene might have  More »

At the dawn of the Christian era, this vessel might have held oils or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. From such a vessel, Mary Magdalene might have anointed the feet of Christ. 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.1585)   « Less

Wood Plaque with Inscriptions - SF.206, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions:2.2" (5.6cm) high x 8.1" (20.6cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style:  More »

Wood Plaque with Inscriptions - SF.206, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 700 AD to 900 AD, Dimensions:2.2" (5.6cm) high x 8.1" (20.6cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Abbasid, Medium: Wood.   « Less

Bronze Footed Dish with Silver Inlay - SF.121, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1250 AD, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 12.50" (31.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic  More »

Bronze Footed Dish with Silver Inlay - SF.121, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 1100 AD to 1250 AD, Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 12.50" (31.8cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium:Bronze and Silver.   « Less