Created during the age of David and Solomon, this simple but charming vessel glows with the rich patina of history. Who can say through whose hands it might have passed  More »

Created during the age of David and Solomon, this simple but charming vessel glows with the rich patina of history. Who can say through whose hands it might have passed centuries ago? It was perhaps from such a jug that Solomon annointed Saul king of Israel. Whatever its past, we are aware that is was crafted by ancient hands, held and used by people who lived in a time and place much different from our own. The energy of those vanished lives clings to it still and sets our imaginations stirring. - (P.2774)   « Less

Created during the age of David and Solomon, this simple but charming vessel glows with the rich patina of history. Who can say through whose hands it might have passed  More »

Created during the age of David and Solomon, this simple but charming vessel glows with the rich patina of history. Who can say through whose hands it might have passed centuries ago? It was perhaps from such a jug that Solomon anointed Saul king of Israel. Whatever its past, we are aware that is was crafted by ancient hands, held and used by people who lived in a time and place much different from our own. The energy of those vanished lives clings to it still and sets our imaginations stirring. - (P.2775)   « Less

In Israel, as in other ancient nations, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by annointing them with oil. Thus Samuel annointed Saul king, as Moses  More »

In Israel, as in other ancient nations, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by annointing them with oil. Thus Samuel annointed Saul king, as Moses had hallowed the tabernacle and Aaron the High Priest before, and Abraham had sanctified Isaac. A vessel such as this--simple but elegant--may have contained oil for ritual use. Whose hands might have held it so long ago we can only guess, yet the connection is a direct one between our age and theirs. - (PF.0115)   « Less

In Israel, as in other ancient kingdoms, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by anointing them with oil. Thus Samuel anointed Saul king, as Moses  More »

In Israel, as in other ancient kingdoms, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by anointing them with oil. Thus Samuel anointed Saul king, as Moses had hallowed the tabernacle and Aaron the High Priest before, and Abraham had sanctified Isaac. A vessel such as this--simple but elegant--may have contained oil for ritual use. Whose hands might have held it so long ago we can only guess, yet the connection is a direct one between our age and theirs. - (PF.0118)   « Less

In Israel, as in other ancient nations, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by annointing them with oil. Thus Samuel annointed Saul king, as Moses  More »

In Israel, as in other ancient nations, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by annointing them with oil. Thus Samuel annointed Saul king, as Moses had hallowed the tabernacle and Aaron the High Priest before, and Abraham had sanctified Isaac. A vessel such as this--simple but elegant--may have contained oil for ritual use. Whose hands might have held it so long ago we can only guess, yet the connection is a direct one between our age and theirs. - (PF.0119)   « Less

In Israel, as in other ancient kingdoms, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by anointing them with oil. Thus Samuel anointed Saul king, as Moses  More »

In Israel, as in other ancient kingdoms, it was customary to dedicate persons or objects to sacred use by anointing them with oil. Thus Samuel anointed Saul king, as Moses had hallowed the tabernacle and Aaron the high priest before, and Abraham had sanctified Isaac. A vessel such as this--simple but elegant--may have contained oil for ritual use. Whose hands might have held it so long ago we can only guess, yet the connection is a direct one between our age and theirs. - (PF.0306)   « Less

The tradition of glazed terracotta brick as adornments began in southern Iran in the 13th century B.C. This Assyrian glazed brick tile would have adorned the walls of a  More »

The tradition of glazed terracotta brick as adornments began in southern Iran in the 13th century B.C. This Assyrian glazed brick tile would have adorned the walls of a temple or palace structure. The tiered tile is decorated by the representation of a mythological creature based on the forms of a female human. However, this woman is winged and has the arms of a lion. A slight relief of a brown glaze delineates the outlines of her body as well as the simulated feathers of the wings. She also wears a conical spotted crown, partly covered by a horn that grows out of her head. Seen in profile, her one ovular eye is fully open and alert. The musculature of her body, specifically the lower half, can be characterized by the flowing, spiraling curves that define her stomach and thighs. Her lion paw arms reach outward, as if pushing against the borders of the brick. This fantastical remnant of a lost age reveals the extreme sophistication and elegance of their forgotten culture. Imagine a room filled from floor to eilingwithsuchtiles.Bearefulto consider how vibrant the orange and blue hues must haveoriginally been. What a truly spectacular sight this would be inanyera.-(PF.5615)Assyrian Tile Depictinga Mythological Creature -PF.5615Origin:Mesopotamia Circa:900BCto700CDimensions: 18.5" (47.0cm) high x Medium: Glazed Terracotta   « Less

In the time of the patriarch Abraham, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. In Genesis it says that Abraham anointed  More »

In the time of the patriarch Abraham, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. In Genesis it says that Abraham anointed Isaac with oil, perhaps from a jug like this. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, the centuries melt away and the imagination sets out on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1563)   « Less

In the time of the patriarch Abraham, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. In Genesis it says that Abraham anointed  More »

In the time of the patriarch Abraham, this vessel might have held ointments or perfumes, or perhaps an offering of wine or honey. In Genesis it says that Abraham anointed Isaac with oil, perhaps from a jug like this. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful, unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, the centuries melt away and the imagination sets out on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1565)   « Less

In the time of the patriarch Abraham, this elegant vessel might have held an offering of food or drink. It was perhaps left as a votive offering to win the favor of a  More »

In the time of the patriarch Abraham, this elegant vessel might have held an offering of food or drink. It was perhaps left as a votive offering to win the favor of a powerful deity. As we hold it in our hands today, admiring its simple beauty, we are aware of the touch of other hands long ago. Who might have held it when it was new? Were the dreams and emotions that guided their lives so very different from our own? The vessel's graceful unadorned shape appeals as much to the contemporary eye as it did to the culture that created it. Such artifacts, ordinary enough in their own age, connect us in an intimate way with the world of the past. In its presence, we cross the bridge of time and set the imagination on a journey of discovery. - (PF.1593)   « Less