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.0045)Bird Effigy Votive Seal with Intaglio - D.0045Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BC Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 2.75" (7.0cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 400 AD to 600 AD Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Coptic Medium: Textile The textile  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 400 AD to 600 AD Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Coptic Medium: Textile The textile weavers of Egypt were considered the finest in the ancient world. Using wool, silk, and linen, they created bold pictorial masterpieces to adorn the garments of the rich and powerful. Dating to the twilight of the pagan age, this small roundel depicts a scene from classical mythology. A naked sea nymph carrying a seashell sits upon a hippogriff, a creature with a lion's head and a fish's tail. Defined with strong, clear lines and an eye to unity of design, this charming piece evokes a world in transition, the last brilliant flowering of paganism. - (PF.1260)   « Less

Simple of form yet powerful of spirit, this anthropomorphic figurine speaks of the heart and mind of an ancient people. As we observe the figures curving breasts and swelling  More »

Simple of form yet powerful of spirit, this anthropomorphic figurine speaks of the heart and mind of an ancient people. As we observe the figures curving breasts and swelling hips we are reminded of the great goddess, the mother of all life who nourishes and enriches us one and all. Down through the ages her likeness has been rendered by man in all forms of media, however, nowhere is she interpreted as more potent than in this ceramic sculpture. Moreover, time has treated this figurine kindly, for the softly weathered finish on her surface further enhances the eternal qualities of this ancient female spirit. - (PF.2623B)   « 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, arecurringmotif, wasassociatedwiththeideaofthesoul.Carvedithabstractsimplicitybutanobservanteyetowardnature,thestarkvisualappealofthispieceistimeless.Thesesealsrepresent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success, andhappiness that are as old as civilization itself. - (D.0045)Bird Effigy Votive Seal with Intaglio - D.0045Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 2.75" (7.0cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel,  More »

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel, Lebanon and Syria, while their sphere of conquest and influence extended throughout the Mediterranean and even beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Straits of Gibraltar) and into the Mediterranean-Atlantic. Their power was due primarily to their mastery of seamanship – which they developed to a whole new level during their pre-eminence – and extremely well-organised administration which was strengthened by extensive use of the alphabet. Indeed, it was the Phoenicians who introduced the alphabet to the Greeks, who in turn passed it onto the rest of the Western World. They were essentially Canaanites, to whom they were identical in sociocultural and material terms, the only difference being the massive range over which their cultural remains and heritage can be found. Phoenician society was comparatively stable when compared to the changeable fortunes of other Eastern Mediterranean cultures, primarily due to its broad royal, political and religious foundations. The town of Byblos became a major hub for trade all over the Fertile Crescent, followed by Tyre and Sidon; overseas territories notably included Carthage (founded 814 BC), but they either took over or culturally dominated trading ports from Cyprus to Malta, Spain, Portugal and Sardinia. They traded in purple dye (“Tyrian Purple”), textiles, luxury ceramics, silver, tin (with England) and glass, explored down the west coast of Africa as far as the Gulf of Guinea, and may even have circumnavigated Africa in around 600 BC. - (FJ.5366)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 8.5" (21.6cm) high x 7.5" (19.1cm) wide Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium:  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 8.5" (21.6cm) high x 7.5" (19.1cm) wide Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where a dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale, yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This magnificent fragment, in an excellent state of preservation, was probably the central panel on a linen tunic. It has nine roundels of intertwined vines. In the central space is a plant growing in an urn, while the corners are filled with four swirling dancers. The other panels depict animals native to the Egyptian landscape. Combining abstract design with naturalistic subject matter, this splendid piece epitomizes the finest in Coptic weaving of the Late Roman period. - (PF.2105)   « 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, arecurringmotif, wasassociatedwiththeideaofthesoul.Carvedithabstractsimplicitybutanobservanteyetowardnature,thestarkvisualappealofthispieceistimeless.Thesesealsrepresent dreams, hopes and aspirations for health, success, andhappiness that are as old as civilization itself. - (D.0045)Bird Effigy Votive Seal with Intaglio - D.0045Origin: Lake Van, Anatolia Circa: 4000 BC to 3000 BCDimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 2.75" (7.0cm) wide Collection: Near Eastern Style: Neolithic Medium: Dickite   « Less

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel,  More »

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel, Lebanon and Syria, while their sphere of conquest and influence extended throughout the Mediterranean and even beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Straits of Gibraltar) and into the Mediterranean-Atlantic. Their power was due primarily to their mastery of seamanship – which they developed to a whole new level during their pre-eminence – and extremely well-organised administration which was strengthened by extensive use of the alphabet. Indeed, it was the Phoenicians who introduced the alphabet to the Greeks, who in turn passed it onto the rest of the Western World. They were essentially Canaanites, to whom they were identical in sociocultural and material terms, the only difference being the massive range over which their cultural remains and heritage can be found. Phoenician society was comparatively stable when compared to the changeable fortunes of other Eastern Mediterranean cultures, primarily due to its broad royal, political and religious foundations. The town of Byblos became a major hub for trade all over the Fertile Crescent, followed by Tyre and Sidon; overseas territories notably included Carthage (founded 814 BC), but they either took over or culturally dominated trading ports from Cyprus to Malta, Spain, Portugal and Sardinia. They traded in purple dye (“Tyrian Purple”), textiles, luxury ceramics, silver, tin (with England) and glass, explored down the west coast of Africa as far as the Gulf of Guinea, and may even have circumnavigated Africa in around 600 BC.Since earliest times, the mysterious, poisonous scorpion has gripped men's imaginations. In Egypt this ancient arachnid was worshipped as a god, and the Greeks placed it among the constellations of the heavens. This powerfully abstract sculpture, perhaps a votive, seems to possess a magic that is older than memory itself. Even in a world where the scorpion is hardly seen, we are attracted by the primal energy of this image. - (PF.1074)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 5.5" (14.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 5.5" (14.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where the dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This lovely textile, which once adorned a tunic, depicts a stylized fruit tree flanked by two graceful birds. In the arid desert world of Egypt, such a tree represented a cool oasis, a paradise. This might be a variation on the "Tree of Life" theme, or possibly a representation of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Worked in rich reds and greens, it puts us in intimate touch with a vanished world. - (PF.2108)   « Less

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel,  More »

The Phoenicians were one of the most important civilisations of the ancient world, and flourished from around 1500 to 300 BC. Their world was centred on Northern Israel, Lebanon and Syria, while their sphere of conquest and influence extended throughout the Mediterranean and even beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Straits of Gibraltar) and into the Mediterranean-Atlantic. Their power was due primarily to their mastery of seamanship – which they developed to a whole new level during their pre-eminence – and extremely well-organised administration which was strengthened by extensive use of the alphabet. Indeed, it was the Phoenicians who introduced the alphabet to the Greeks, who in turn passed it onto the rest of the Western World. They were essentially Canaanites, to whom they were identical in sociocultural and material terms, the only difference being the massive range over which their cultural remains and heritage can be found. Phoenician society was comparatively stable when compared to the changeable fortunes of other Eastern Mediterranean cultures, primarily due to its broad royal, political and religious foundations. The town of Byblos became a major hub for trade all over the Fertile Crescent, followed by Tyre and Sidon; overseas territories notably included Carthage (founded 814 BC), but they either took over or culturally dominated trading ports from Cyprus to Malta, Spain, Portugal and Sardinia. They traded in purple dye (“Tyrian Purple”), textiles, luxury ceramics, silver, tin (with England) and glass, explored down the west coast of Africa as far as the Gulf of Guinea, and may even have circumnavigated Africa in around 600 BC.It is astonishing that the simple beauty of this ewer is as appealing to modern sensibilities as it no doubt was to ancient ones. When the trading empire of the Phoenicians was at its height, such a vessel might have contained oil or wine. As we grip its elegant handle today, we recognize that our gestures echo those of its ancient owners. Though centuries have passed, what dreams and emotions might we share in common with those vanished lives? As our hands rest where theirs did, we are connected in an intimate way with their vanished world. - (PF.2205)   « Less