Possessing a precise, sculptural beauty, this splendid and usually large axe head must have once belonged to a great warrior. Though time has blunted its elegant blade  More »

Possessing a precise, sculptural beauty, this splendid and usually large axe head must have once belonged to a great warrior. Though time has blunted its elegant blade somewhat, it has not softened its awesome energy. There is no question that this axe has an exciting history--a past full of adventure--but we should perhaps be grateful that the details have been lost to the centuries. - (FZ.079)Origin: Beit Ulla, Israel Circa: 2100 BC to 1600 BC Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high x 5.75" (14.6cm) wide Catalogue: V1 Collection: Biblical Antiquities Style: Bronze Age Medium: Bronze   « Less

Crafted in a vigorous abstract style, this superb creature probably served a ritual purpose. The slot in his back and the hinged opening on his belly suggest that he was  More »

Crafted in a vigorous abstract style, this superb creature probably served a ritual purpose. The slot in his back and the hinged opening on his belly suggest that he was meant to contain something which could be retrieved at a later point, much as a modern piggy bank or ballot box might. Though his exact function remains a mystery, it is clear that an early bronze of this size and splendor was a rare and costly treasure in its own time: in our age, it is even more so. - (FZ.117)Origin: Syria Circa: 1200 BC to 700 BC Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high Catalogue: V1, V4 Collection: Biblical Style: Iron Age Medium: Bronze   « Less

Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD Dimensions: 2.50" (6.4cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Art Medium: Terracotta Inscribed with magic  More »

Origin: Mesopotamia Circa: 500 AD to 800 AD Dimensions: 2.50" (6.4cm) high x 6.25" (15.9cm) depth Collection: Near Eastern Art Medium: Terracotta Inscribed with magic texts, these bowls were used to ward off evil spirits and protect family and property. Unearthed at relatively high levels of excavation, they were neglected by the nineteenth century pioneers of Mesopotamian archaeology who were more interested in discovering palace foundations and large-scale sculpture. In more recent years however their importance has been recognised and they have been studied in-depth. The incantations were written in a variety of Aramaic dialects including Jewish Aramaic, Mandaic and Syriac. There are also examples written in Pseudo-script, presumably by less literate scribes. Although the texts are not dated they are generally assigned to the late Sassanian/ early Islamic period (6th-8th century A.D.). Their main function was to trap evil spirits and they were often placed upside down at the corners of rooms, or built into foundations or cemeteries. The texts sometimes instruct them to be placed ‘at the four corners (of the room)’ for extra protection. The names of the clients for whom the bowls were made can be divided into two main categories- Semitic and Persian. However this is not always a reliable guide to their ethnicity. Jewish influence on the Mandaic inscriptions was minimal but is pronounced in the Aramaic incantations. Many of the scribes may have been Jewish or trained by Jews, and the Hebrew Bible is frequently quoted.   « Less

In the Temple of Jerusalem and in synagogues throughout the ancient world, the fragrant smoke of incense filled the air. The high priest burned this aromatic blend of spices  More »

In the Temple of Jerusalem and in synagogues throughout the ancient world, the fragrant smoke of incense filled the air. The high priest burned this aromatic blend of spices and gums on a special altar before the Holy of Holies. The smoke was intended to purify the air of the sanctuary and to please the deity. A costly offering, incense was considered the worthy gift of princes and heads of state. It also carried great spiritual significance hence the saying, ‘Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice,’ (Psalms 141:2). The mahta, or incense shovel, was employed in the ritual of burning and for removing the ashes afterwards. This splendid example, free from graven images, was almost certainly used in a synagogue of the Roman Period. The handle is of column-form, decorated with a Corinthian capital. Origin: En Gedi, Israel Circa: 1 st Century CE to 2 nd Century CE Dimensions: 11.5" (29.2cm) high Catalogue: V12 Collection: Biblical Style: Roman Period Medium: Bronze   « Less

Green Glass Vessel - OF.151 Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 100 AD to 300 AD Dimensions: 6.4" (16.3cm) high Collection: Biblical Style: Roman Medium: Glass

Green Glass Vessel - OF.151 Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 100 AD to 300 AD Dimensions: 6.4" (16.3cm) high Collection: Biblical Style: Roman Medium: Glass   « Less

This extraordinary bronze statue is one of the earliest examples of the goddess Asherat, the "Mother of the Gods", or "the Holy One". She was the spouse of El the "Father of  More »

This extraordinary bronze statue is one of the earliest examples of the goddess Asherat, the "Mother of the Gods", or "the Holy One". She was the spouse of El the "Father of Men"; and in Ugarit, a maritime city, she was associated with the sea. It may not be a coincidence therefore that a statue of her came from Byblos, a coastal city. Called Byblos by the Greeks, this prosperous city was the source of papyrus on which they wrote their books, byblia. Though there were close ties with Egypt during this period, this statue is distinctly Near Eastern in style. She is the archetype female, naked and proud, with her arms upraised and fists clenched, characteristic of such goddess figures. Her femininity and overt sexuality is directly related to her being a fertility image. Her function was probably to stand in a temple dedicated to fertility rites, and accept homages by women hoping to conceive. Though she may be a goddess of the past, her power and sexual energy makes her as alive and vibrant today as she was thousands of years ago. - (FZ.351)Origin: Byblos, Lebanon Circa: 1900 BC to 1300 BC Dimensions: 6.5" (16.5cm) high Collection: Biblical Style: Middle Bronze Age Medium: Bronze   « Less

Apulian Red-Bell Krater - SF.046 Origin: Magna Graecia Circa: 400 BC to 300 BC Dimensions: 13.75" (34.9cm) high x 15.25" (38.7cm) wide Collection: Classical Style:  More »

Apulian Red-Bell Krater - SF.046 Origin: Magna Graecia Circa: 400 BC to 300 BC Dimensions: 13.75" (34.9cm) high x 15.25" (38.7cm) wide Collection: Classical Style: Apulian Medium: Terracotta   « Less

A rare--possibly unique--early example of the glassmaker's art, this vase appears as if carved from jade, alabaster or some similar gemstone. In fact, as glass, it was even  More »

A rare--possibly unique--early example of the glassmaker's art, this vase appears as if carved from jade, alabaster or some similar gemstone. In fact, as glass, it was even more precious to the age that created it. Time has in no way diminished that rarity, and we today can continue to delight in its astonishing beauty. - (GF.0007) Origin: Houran,Syria Circa: 4000 BC to 2000 BC Dimensions: 2.65" (6.7cm) high Catalogue: V1 Collection: Biblical Style: Bronze Age Medium: Glass   « Less

When the servant of Isaac met Rebecca returning from the well (Genesis 24) she might have been carrying water in a vessel such as this one. Graceful in form, with bold yet  More »

When the servant of Isaac met Rebecca returning from the well (Genesis 24) she might have been carrying water in a vessel such as this one. Graceful in form, with bold yet simple decoration, it reminds us of mankind's age-old desire to surround himself with a beauty that outshines mere function. It is so easy to imagine this jug perched atop the head of some ancient woman as she went, laughing with her friends to collect water. - (P.0164)Origin: Israel Circa: 1500 BC to 1250 BC Dimensions: 12.25" (31.1cm) high x11"(27.9cm)wide Catalogue:V1collection:Biblical Style: Late Bronze Age Medium: Terracotta.   « Less

The bold, abstract geometry that decorates this charming vessel seems to convey the lively spirit ofthe ancient people through whose hands it passed so long ago. We remember  More »

The bold, abstract geometry that decorates this charming vessel seems to convey the lively spirit ofthe ancient people through whose hands it passed so long ago. We remember that these were individuals who laughed and sang, talked, argued and loved. inappearance they were similar to us, though their vision of the world was vastly different. This pot--which perhaps held ritual oil or wine--links us directly to that ancient world.Our hands rest where other hands did in Biblical times;the energythe bond,is there to be felt.-(P.0468).   « Less