This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at during the time when the ancestors of the Israelites were still part of the Canaanite tribes that populated the land  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land at during the time when the ancestors of the Israelites were still part of the Canaanite tribes that populated the land that would become Israel. Judging by its open construction and vaguely pinched wick channel, this lamp derives from the period known as Middle Bronze Age I and is the ancestor of later designs that permeated the culture of the Middle East in Antiquity. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.391)   « Less

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, prior to the time of Moses. Judging by its open construction and vaguely  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, prior to the time of Moses. Judging by its open construction and vaguely pinched wick channel, this lamp derives from the Late Bronze Age and is the ancestor of later designs that permeated the culture of the Middle East in Antiquity. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.393)   « Less

Origin: Hebron/ West Bank Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide Collection: Biblical Antiquities tyle: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Hebron/ West Bank Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 5" (12.7cm) wide Collection: Biblical Antiquities tyle: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta   « Less

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, prior to the time of Moses. Judging by its open construction and vaguely  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs, prior to the time of Moses. Judging by its open construction and vaguely pinched wick channel, this lamp derives from the Late Bronze Age and is the ancestor of later designs that permeated the culture of the Middle East in Antiquity. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open-bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.399)   « Less

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs prior to the time of Moses. Judging by its open construction and vaguely pinched  More »

This ancient lamp might have burned in the Holy Land during the time of the Hebrew patriarchs prior to the time of Moses. Judging by its open construction and vaguely pinched wick channel, this lamp derives from the Late Bronze Age and is the ancestor of later designs that permeated the culture of the Middle East in Antiquity. Its simple, pinch pot construction is a tribute to the antiquity of the design, likely having Canaanite origins. Made of terra cotta, this simple item would have held olive oil and probably a wick of plant fibers or textile, allowing it to provide light for a few hours perhaps. This lamp of open- bowl design would later give way to more elaborate, enclosed lamps of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.A metaphor for joy and prosperity, for hope, for life itself, lamps have illuminated the path of civilization for centuries. They have shed light on mundane and extraordinary events alike, guiding great thoughts through the night, and standing vigil with lonely passions. In the presence of this simple object, we are in touch directly with a vanished world, with the rooms and shrines once warmed by its glow, with the people who drew comfort from its light. Today it remains as an enduring symbol of man's desire to conquer the darkness. - (SP.415)   « Less

Middle Bronze Age Terracotta Oil Lamp - LK.352 Origin: Central Asia Circa: 1900 BC to 1600 BC Dimensions: 4.72" (12.0cm) high x 4.37" (11.1cm) wide Collection: Biblical  More »

Middle Bronze Age Terracotta Oil Lamp - LK.352 Origin: Central Asia Circa: 1900 BC to 1600 BC Dimensions: 4.72" (12.0cm) high x 4.37" (11.1cm) wide Collection: Biblical Antiquities Style: Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 2040 BC to 1640 BC Dimensions: 2.15" (5.5cm) high x 4.6" (11.7cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Middle Kingdom Medium: Faience This faience  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 2040 BC to 1640 BC Dimensions: 2.15" (5.5cm) high x 4.6" (11.7cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Middle Kingdom Medium: Faience This faience hippopotamus belongs to a group of statuettes found in large numbers in Egyptian tombs of the Middle Kingdom period. The black line drawings represent flowers, plants and insects native to the Nile Region. Often shown standing or striding forward, this example is unusual for its seated and almost docile pose. The animal is fashioned as though lying on the banks of the Nile with its legs tucked beneath the body and the head lowered as if to graze. The symbolism of the hippopotamus in ancient Egypt was ambiguous. Known for their aggression, these animals were a threat to crops and people. As a force of destruction they were often associated with the evil god Seth. One of Egypt’s earliest kings was believed to have been killed by a hippopotamus and many temple walls depicted the god Horus hunting them with a harpoon. In the Old and New Kingdoms court officials had themselves depicted on tomb walls engaged in the same activity. The faience examples discovered during recorded excavations were often placed behind the mummy’s back or below the feet. Many of the standing statuettes had their legs deliberately broken before burial. This has been interpreted as an attempt to render evil spirits harmless. However they were also associated with fertility and rebirth. The composite goddess Tawaret, for example, was believed to protect women during pregnancy. The use of faience also suggests that the figurine was used to achieve rebirth in the afterlife. Faience, or ‘tjehnet’, literally means ‘what is gleaming’ and was associated with the light of the sun, moon and stars. Grave goods such as ushabtis or amulets were made from this material in the belief that this would help impart life to the dead.   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 2050 BC to 1786 BC Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high Collection: Egyptian Style: Middle Kingdom Medium: Terracotta This delicate cylindrical vessel  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 2050 BC to 1786 BC Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high Collection: Egyptian Style: Middle Kingdom Medium: Terracotta This delicate cylindrical vessel belongs to a type of pottery that was produced as early as the pre- dynastic period (c. 4000-3000 BC). Fashioned from local clay, the surfaces were burnished with stones and either left in their natural state or covered with a thin layer of pigment. The two- toned effect was produced by up-ending the pot in a layer of slow-burning coals. The lack of oxygen had the effect of carbonising the surface and blackening the clay. By the Middle Kingdom period, to which this piece dates, the same effect was created by painting the upper section with a band of black slip. The vessel tapers to a point and was probably used to hold liquids, perhaps wine or oils. Such items were often placed in tombs as part of the funerary paraphernalia. (AM) - (SK.028 )   « Less

Origin: Israel Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 6.29" (16.0cm) high x 6.49" (16.5cm) wide Collection: Biblical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta

Origin: Israel Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 6.29" (16.0cm) high x 6.49" (16.5cm) wide Collection: Biblical Antiquities Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta   « Less

Middle Kingdom Alabaster Jar - CK.0194 Origin: Egypt Circa: 2200 BC to 1800 BC Dimensions: 1.75" (4.4cm) high x 1.675" (4.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian  More »

Middle Kingdom Alabaster Jar - CK.0194 Origin: Egypt Circa: 2200 BC to 1800 BC Dimensions: 1.75" (4.4cm) high x 1.675" (4.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Middle Kingdom Medium: Alabaster   « Less