Origin: Egypt Circa: 300 AD to 500 AD Dimensions: .375" (1.0cm) high x .5" (1.3cm) wide Collection: Egpytian Style: Gnostic Medium: Carnelian Gnosticism (from Greek  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 300 AD to 500 AD Dimensions: .375" (1.0cm) high x .5" (1.3cm) wide Collection: Egpytian 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 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.0682)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 600 BC to 300 BC Dimensions: 6.125" (15.6cm) high Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Bronze In  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 600 BC to 300 BC Dimensions: 6.125" (15.6cm) high Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Bronze In spite of the childlike gesture this youthful figure makes with his finger, we are immediately aware that we are in the presence of a god. Horus/Harpocrates is the personification of the Pharaoh on earth, and the elaborate ceremonial crown this child wears immediately confirms his lofty royal rank. We are simultaneously confronted with something touchingly human and yet recognizably divine. This splendid stature seems to reach to the very heart of the ancient Egyptian culture. - (FZ.017)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 600 BC to 300 BC Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Bronze Additional Information: SOLD In  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 600 BC to 300 BC Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Bronze Additional Information: SOLD In the mythology of Egypt, Isis was the protective mother goddess whose lap was a metaphor for the throne of the kingdom, while the infant Horus was represented on earth by the living Pharaoh. Such statues were symbols for the strength and stability of Egypt itself, nurtured by the eternal mother. Although the persons depicted are divine, this beautiful work of art still presents a universal image of tender maternity. - (FZ.019)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 600 BC to 300 BC Dimensions: 10.25" (26.0cm) high Catalogue: V4 Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Bronze Additional  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 600 BC to 300 BC Dimensions: 10.25" (26.0cm) high Catalogue: V4 Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Bronze Additional Information: SOLD A masterpiece of Egyptian bronzework, this powerful statue depicts Sekhmet, the lion- headed goddess of war, standing against a sturdy obelisk. She holds a lotus staff in her hand and is crowned by the sun disc of Aten and the protective cobra Uraeus. The statue bears an inscription that translates, "May Wadjet give life to Hor-Nefer-Pe, son of Ankh-Per-Hery". Whoever dedicated this piece must have been a wealthy man, for it is sculpture of the highest quality. In her fierce and silent majesty, Sekhmet seems to epitomize the grandeur and mystery of eternal Egypt, a land where goddesses walked among men. - (FZ.021)   « Less

Origin: Sakhara, Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 525 BC Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium:  More »

Origin: Sakhara, Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 525 BC Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Faience Additional Information: SOLD The figure is inscribed with a text of eight lines that translates as follows: (1) Illumine Osiris-- Har, child of Hathor in the Necropolis. (2) Ushabti this, act there for Har, child of…(3) Hathor in the Necropolis. Do all the work there. 4) Then will you smite there, as a man…(5) at his affairs. Behold me, say you, (6) if one numbers you at any time…(7) there to cause to grow the fields, to cause to fill…(8) the channels. Behold me. - (PF.0482)   « Less

Origin: Sakhara, Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 525 BC Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium:  More »

Origin: Sakhara, Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 525 BC Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Faience Additional Information: SOLD The figure is inscribed with a text of eight lines that translates as follows: (1) Illumine Osiris-- Har, child of Hathor in the Necropolis. (2) Ushabti this Osiris--Har, child of Hathor in the Necropolis. (3) Do the work there in the Necropolis. Then will you smite…(4) there as a man at his affairs. Behold me, (5) say you. If one numbers you at any time, cause…(6) to grow the fields, (7) cause to fill the canals, (8) carry sand from the west to the east. - (PF.0486)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 320 BC to 31 BC Dimensions: 16.5" (41.9cm) high Catalogue: V4 Collection: Egyptian Style: Ptolemaic Medium: Limestone Additional Information:  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 320 BC to 31 BC Dimensions: 16.5" (41.9cm) high Catalogue: V4 Collection: Egyptian Style: Ptolemaic Medium: Limestone Additional Information: SOLD This monumental head depicts a pharaoh wearing an unstriated nemes-headcloth, the origins of which extend back in time to the very earliest periods of Egypt’s long history. From the time of its introduction, the nemes-headdress remained statistically the most common insignia of Egyptian pharaohs. The leading edge of the nemes over the forehead appears as a raised band over which and centered upon is a uraeus, or sacred cobra, the symbolic function of which was to protect pharaoh from all danger. The hood and head of the uraeus spring from its decoratively designed figure-8 coils which rest slightly above the band. In keeping with Egyptian stylistic conventions, the nemes does not cover the ears which are, thereby, rendered prominent. Some scholars maintain that this prominence is intentional and intended to convey the idea that pharaoh is always attentive and prepared to listen to the petitions of his subjects. The face of pharaoh is conceived in the idealizing tradition which avoids reference to physical imperfection so that the king is presented as the perfect representative of the gods of the land with whom he interacts on a daily basis as the chief priest of every cult. His corpulent face is charged with symbolic overtones of abundance and prosperity and is dominated by hieroglyphic eyes, raised eye brows in the form of cosmetic stripes, a nose with a thin bridge and well- articulate nostrils, a small mouth with its fleshy lips drawn up into a slight smile with the corners drilled, and a slightly projecting chin. The style of our portrait suggests it represents one of the Ptolemies, the Macedonian Greek successors of Alexander the Great who carved out Egypt as their kingdom following his death and ruled until the suicide of Cleopatra VII in 30 BC. Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II and his immediate successors where habitually represented with such corpulent features that they were often nick-named physkon, “chubby.” Our portrait, therefore, is to be dated to the reign of that pharaoh or immediately thereafter, but its idealizing features and lack of specific iconographic details precludes a more precise identification. - (PF.1122)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 525 BC Dimensions: 5.625" (14.3cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Faience Ushabti can  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 525 BC Dimensions: 5.625" (14.3cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Late Dynastic Period Medium: Faience Ushabti can be translated as “the answerer,” a term directly related to its function in the afterlife. Initially, only one ushabti was interred with the deceased. When the call came for the departed soul to “work,” the ushabti would take its place acting as a surrogate and leaving the soul in peace. Later, in the New Kingdom, hundreds of ushabti were part of the funerary accouterments and served as slaves, much as their human counterparts did in the real world. The number of figures depended on the individual's wealth. Ready for hard work, this elegant ushabti holds two hoes, one in each hand. Embodied in its form is the essence of ancient Egypt, combining the sacred element in the divine mummy shape, and the rural aspect of labor in the fields. Blue and green faience were the most prized and valuable, considered worthy even for kings. The lovely green of the stone reminds us of the verdant fields watered by the Nile, flowing eternally, as does the life force that nourishes all living things. - (PF.1134)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 300 AD to 500 AD Collection: Roman Style: Roman Period/Coptic Medium: Terracotta Additional Information: Sold With the triumph of Christianity, the  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 300 AD to 500 AD Collection: Roman Style: Roman Period/Coptic Medium: Terracotta Additional Information: Sold With the triumph of Christianity, the cults of local saints sprang up throughout the Roman Empire. Sites of miracles, martyrdoms or burial were popular for pilgrimages, and the faithful would sometimes travel great distances in hopes of being blessed or cured. The oasis spring of Saint Menas near Alexandria was especially popular, for its waters were thought to contain benevolent powers. In the twilight of the Classical age, this charming little flask was filled with water from the shrine and then carried home by some pilgrim. On one side it shows the saint between two kneeling camels, while on the other is a Greek inscription of blessing. As we hold it in our hands today, we cannot help but wonder who first held it centuries ago, and if their prayers were granted.Found near Alexandria - (PF.1823)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 400 AD to 600 AD Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile Additional Information:  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 400 AD to 600 AD Dimensions: 6" (15.2cm) high x 5.25" (13.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile Additional Information: Sold Squares and circles edged in green are set against vivid orange creating the pattern on this textile fragment. Four rosettes occupy the four corners, the upper portion of each flower is done in a darker shade than the ends, and each is separated from the other forming a bordered effect. The central square contains a circle, filled with designs. The contrasting colors of red and green give the impression of warmth and coolness, like the desert in which the Copts lived, where palm trees give precious shade and the occasional rainfall brings out the desert flowers. - (PF.2106)   « Less