DD - fj.408

DD - fj.408   « Less

DAC - DAC.080 Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high Condition: Very Fine

DAC - DAC.080 Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high Condition: Very Fine   « Less

Bronze Stamp - OF.212 Origin: Jerusalem Circa: 400 AD to 600 AD Dimensions: 1.4" (3.6cm) wide Collection: Byzantine Art Style: Byzantine Medium: Bronze

Bronze Stamp - OF.212 Origin: Jerusalem Circa: 400 AD to 600 AD Dimensions: 1.4" (3.6cm) wide Collection: Byzantine Art Style: Byzantine Medium: Bronze   « Less

The exact nature of this piece--its subject and function--remains tantalizing but elusive. Does it represent some demon of earth or air, some half-man half-beast, or simply  More »

The exact nature of this piece--its subject and function--remains tantalizing but elusive. Does it represent some demon of earth or air, some half-man half-beast, or simply the product of some vivid artistic imagination? The answer is lost in time, but the hypnotic appeal of this unique sculpture continues to draw us in. - (Z.0111)   « Less

Bacchus, while most commonly being associated with the peaceful and gentle pleasures that go hand in hand with the consumption of fine wine, suffered a traumatic childhood  More »

Bacchus, while most commonly being associated with the peaceful and gentle pleasures that go hand in hand with the consumption of fine wine, suffered a traumatic childhood and turbulent youth in mythology. As a young God disguised as a mortal, he was taken hostage by a pirate crew mistaking him for a wealthy prince. Bacchus, in retribution, overgrew their ship with grape-vine, but as it plunged into the sea he mercifully turned the doomed sailors into dolphins. We see here the androgynous and pretty form of Bacchus, nosed along through the sea by some unfortunate sailor. This elegant, though unusual sculpture probably formed part of the carrying handle of a metal chest. Another human figure would have provided the second vertical. Perhaps the other person was Atocles, the helmsman, who upon recognizing Bacchus, urged the other pirates to yield and was rewarded with his life. A pair of dolphins would have created the horizontal cross bar.What mystery could have been held within the chest this handle was attached to? Perhaps it sat aboard some ship- the vivid artistry of the handles serving as a reminder to any potential prying eyes or vacant hands as to how the Gods treat the piratical or just plain avaricious. The graceful movement, the intricate detail, and striking activity of this handle render it a masterpiece in its own right. Pieces such as this provide us with a dazzling fragment of a tantalizing mystery- and give us a handle on a world that was infinitely more beautiful- more full of myth and story- than our own. This elegant--though unusual--sculpture probably formed part of the carrying handle of a metal chest. Another nude youth would have provided the second vertical, while a pair of dolphins would have created the horizontal cross bar. The artistic quality of the sculpture, especially in the sensitive rendering of the human figure, is very high, comparable to works on a much larger scale. There is no question that what we have with this splendid fragment is a tantalizing clue to a vanished masterpiece. - (Z.0139)   « Less

The rarity of a figurine such as this cannot be overstated. Christian morality and hunger for precious metals combined to erase countless examples from reaching us today.  More »

The rarity of a figurine such as this cannot be overstated. Christian morality and hunger for precious metals combined to erase countless examples from reaching us today. However, this fine specimen escaped being melted down and survives today a powerful and emotive symbol of man’s desire. She stands in a contrapposto stance, and confronts the viewer with her gaze, unashamed and confident. Her left breast is exposed under the folds of her chiton. She further raises her garment with both her hands revealing her navel and her vagina. Most likely, she was a goddess worshipped in a long forgotten sex cult. However, it is also possible that she could represent a fertility goddess or even Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. Whatever the identity, this woman is confident and secure with her sexuality and does not hesitate to reveal this fact to us. - (FZ.356)   « Less

The bronze object is a chariot fitting cast with a tapering conical shaft incised with two horizontal bands. An "arm" in the form of a human finger with the fingernail  More »

The bronze object is a chariot fitting cast with a tapering conical shaft incised with two horizontal bands. An "arm" in the form of a human finger with the fingernail delineated projects from the back. The finial is in the form of a draped male bust with stippled short cap-like hair, a single lock at the back of his head, with prominent nose and large ears. His eyes have been incised with pupils under the brows arching above. His small mouth with thin lips is slightly parted and he has a pointed chin complete with a beard. - (X.0141b)   « Less

This elegant vessel seems to have the proud, noble bearing of a peacock, whose delicate iridescence it echoes. In the kingdom of glass, there is no question this splendid  More »

This elegant vessel seems to have the proud, noble bearing of a peacock, whose delicate iridescence it echoes. In the kingdom of glass, there is no question this splendid piece would belong to royalty. - (G.0011)   « Less

Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high

Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high   « Less

Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide

Dimensions: 2.25" (5.7cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide   « Less