Roman Period Cartonnage Funerary Mask of a Man - LO.1382 Origin: Egypt Circa: 1 st Century AD to 3 rd Century AD Dimensions: 9.0" (22.9cm) high Collection: Egyptian  More »

Roman Period Cartonnage Funerary Mask of a Man - LO.1382 Origin: Egypt Circa: 1 st Century AD to 3 rd Century AD Dimensions: 9.0" (22.9cm) high Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Roman Period Medium: Plaster   « Less

Roman Period Stucco Funerary Masks of a Woman - FF.077 Origin: Egypt Circa: 2 nd Century AD to 3 rd Century AD Dimensions: 11.8" (30.0cm) high x 7.0" (17.8cm)  More »

Roman Period Stucco Funerary Masks of a Woman - FF.077 Origin: Egypt Circa: 2 nd Century AD to 3 rd Century AD Dimensions: 11.8" (30.0cm) high x 7.0" (17.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Roman Period Medium: Stucco   « Less

Origin: Alexandria, Egypt Circa: 300 AD to 500 AD Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high x 1.125" (2.9cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Gnostic Medium: Carnelian Gnosticism  More »

Origin: Alexandria, Egypt Circa: 300 AD to 500 AD Dimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high x 1.125" (2.9cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Gnostic Medium: Carnelian Gnosticism (from Greek gnosis, knowledge) refers to a diverse, syncretistic religious movement consisting of various belief systems generally united in the teaching that humans are divine souls trapped in a material world created by an imperfect spirit, the demiurge, who is frequently identified with the Abrahamic God. The demiurge, who is often depicted as an embodiment of evil, at other times as simply imperfect and as benevolent as its inadequacy allows, exists alongside another remote and unknowable supreme being that embodies good. In order to free oneself from the inferior material world, one needs gnosis, or esoteric spiritual knowledge available only to a learned elite. Jesus of Nazareth is identified by some (though not all) Gnostic sects as an embodiment of the supreme being who became incarnate to bring gnosis to the Earth. Gnosticism was popular in the Mediterranean and middle eastern regions in the first centuries of the common era, but it was suppressed[citation needed] as a dualistic heresy in areas controlled by the Roman Empire when Christianity became its official religion in the fourth century. Conversion to Islam greatly reduced the remaining number of Gnostics throughout the middle ages, though a few isolated communities continue to exist to the present. - (CK.0573)   « Less

An ancient symbol ofpowerandstrength,thiscarvedbull’shead votive was offered thousands of years ago at a shrine of some powerful deity, perhaps a god of  More »

An ancient symbol ofpowerandstrength,thiscarvedbull’shead votive was offered thousands of years ago at a shrine of some powerful deity, perhaps a god of natureandfertility. With a cache of related artifacts, it was discoveredalong the shores of Lake Van in Turkey. With simple, abstract lines, the artist has captured the essence of the animal, believed by the ancients to be the most suitablesacrifice to please the heavens. The intaglio carvingdepictsaseated idol, and may have created multipleimagesinsoftclayorwax.Atokenof Westerncultureatitsdawn,thissplendidsealevokes a mysterious vanished world. - (D.0031)Bull's Head Votive Seal with an Intaglio - D.0031Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: 1.25" (3.2cm) high x 1.25" (3.2cm) wide x 2" (5.1cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Shaped like an abstract bird, this ancient with a cacheof similar artifacts along the shoresof Lake Van.Evokingthedawnof Westernculture,theseapparentlywereofferingsatthe  More »

Shaped like an abstract bird, this ancient with a cacheof similar artifacts along the shoresof Lake Van.Evokingthedawnof Westernculture,theseapparentlywereofferingsatthe adorns them—of birds, animals,seatedidols—probablystoodin proxy for more costlysacrifices.Pressedntosoftclayorwax,theywouldhavecreatedmultipleimagestowinthefavor of the god. It is possible that the bird, a recurring motif, was associated with the idea of thesoul.Carvedwith 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.0034)Bird Effigy Votive Seal With An Intaglio - D.0034Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions:2.25"(5.7cm)highx3.25"(8.3cm)wide Collection: 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  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 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.0035)Bird Effigy Votive Seal With An Intaglio - D.0035Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimensions: 1.875" (4.8cm) high x 1.25" (3.2cm) wide Collection:Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similarartifactsalongtheshoresof Lake Van.Evokingthedawnof  More »

This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similarartifactsalongtheshoresof Lake Van.Evokingthedawnof Westernculture,theseapparentlywereofferingsattheshrineofsomepowerfulnaturegod.Thedesignthatadorns 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.0035)Bird Effigy Votive Seal With An Intaglio - D.0035Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions:1.875"(4.8cm)highx1.25"(3.2cm)wide Collection:Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « 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 in Turkey. 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 springsfromtheoppositeendofthesculpture.Inthisancientcult,thebirdseemsassociated withtheideaofthesoul,perhapsatransformationintheafterlife.Theimageengravedonthebottom 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.0037)Man/Bird Votive Figure With An Intaglio-D.0037Origin: Lake Van,Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: 1.625" (4.1cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « 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 in Turkey.The cult  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 in Turkey.The cult most likely centered around a nature god, one concerned with fertility and rebirth. Birds were clearly important to this cult, perhaps being associated with.This is an extremely fine example of early animals culture.Depicting a stylized bird,its base bears the intaglio image of a seated idol.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.0041)Bird Effigy Votive Seal With An Intaglio-D.0041Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 3.5" (8.9cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

The Old Testament is full of stories of the false gods of Canaan, of which this is surely one, most likely Ba'al. The deity is presented simply, yet majestically, wearing a  More »

The Old Testament is full of stories of the false gods of Canaan, of which this is surely one, most likely Ba'al. The deity is presented simply, yet majestically, wearing a tall, conical hat to designate his power. In spite of its small size, the statue projects an aura of strength which makes it easy to comprehend why he caused the ancient Hebrews so much worry. - (FZ.095)   « Less