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Banded Alabaster Egyptian Mace Head
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Banded Alabaster Egyptian Mace Head

Original price was: $2,000.00.Current price is: $1,850.00.

Description

This commanding alabaster mace head exemplifies the artistry and technical skill of Egyptian stone‑workers of the Middle Bronze Age. Crafted from fine, dense alabaster, the piece presents a rounded, slightly pear‑shaped mass terminating in a short, tapering socket for hafting; its surfaces are smoothly finished to reveal the stone’s subtle veining and a soft, satin-like luster. Measuring approximately [dimensions available on request], it is a compact yet powerfully rendered implement.

The most striking feature of the mace head is its sculptural silhouette and the careful modulation of form between the striking face and the haft socket, which together create a balanced, purposeful object. The workmanship demonstrates mastery of stone‑shaping techniques, with precise contouring and evidence of controlled tool work around the socket and perimeter. Minor surface abrasions and faint impact marks may be present, consistent with functional use, while surviving tool marks are minimal and secondary to the overall polished presentation.

This object likely served both practical and symbolic roles: employed as a percussive weapon in conflict or as a status emblem and ceremonial object signaling authority and power. The selection of alabaster—a prized material—speaks to the prominence of its owner and the value attributed to finely

REFERENCE #

WP-PR-1002

CIVILIZATION

Egyptian, Circa 2100 B.C.E. – 1550 B.C.E.

Time Of Abraham

SIZE

L. 5cm

CONDITION

Fine condition

PRICE

$1850

PROVENANCE

The Baidun Collection

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Banded Alabaster Egyptian Mace Head
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Banded Alabaster Egyptian Mace Head

This commanding alabaster mace head exemplifies the artistry and technical skill of Egyptian stone‑workers of the Middle Bronze Age. Crafted from fine, dense alabaster, the piece presents a rounded, slightly pear‑shaped mass terminating in a short, tapering socket for hafting; its surfaces are smoothly finished to reveal the stone’s subtle veining and a soft, satin-like luster. Measuring approximately [dimensions available on request], it is a compact yet powerfully rendered implement.

The most striking feature of the mace head is its sculptural silhouette and the careful modulation of form between the striking face and the haft socket, which together create a balanced, purposeful object. The workmanship demonstrates mastery of stone‑shaping techniques, with precise contouring and evidence of controlled tool work around the socket and perimeter. Minor surface abrasions and faint impact marks may be present, consistent with functional use, while surviving tool marks are minimal and secondary to the overall polished presentation.

This object likely served both practical and symbolic roles: employed as a percussive weapon in conflict or as a status emblem and ceremonial object signaling authority and power. The selection of alabaster—a prized material—speaks to the prominence of its owner and the value attributed to finely[/vc_column_text]

REFERENCE #

WP-PR-1002

CIVILIZATION

Egyptian, Circa 2100 B.C.E. – 1550 B.C.E.

Time Of Abraham

SIZE

L. 5cm

CONDITION

Fine condition

PRICE

$1850

PROVENANCE

The Baidun Collection

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Bronze Etruscan Harpago
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Bronze Etruscan Harpago

A bronze Etruscan harpago, or underwater sponge collecting hook, with seven curved tines set radially around a central torus. The hook piece is set upon a large handle with a coiled design along its shaft. An additional pair of tines protrudes just below the torus at the top of the coiled shaft.

Reference: Cf. MFA Bronzes, p. 421, fig. 608. Published: HASB 1, 1975, 21ff

 

REFERENCE #

MW_GR_1006

CIVILIZATION

Etruscan, 600 B.C.E.

SIZE

H. 33 cm

CONDITION

Fine Condition, some of the tips are reattached.

PRICE

$17,000

PROVENANCE

Private Collection P.C. Nuremberg

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Bronze wine Philae bowl
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Bronze wine Philae bowl

Bronze wine Phiale bowl from the Achaemenid period, circa 500 BC, dating to the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. This elegant vessel is crafted from bronze and measures approximately 16 cm in diameter. It features a shallow, broad form typical of Phiale bowls, with a gently flared rim that enhances its functional and decorative appeal.

The surface of the bowl is decorated with a detailed lotus motif, a symbol of purity, rebirth, and divine beauty, which was commonly used in Persian art and iconography. The intricate design is well-preserved and highlights the craftsmanship of Achaemenid metalworkers. The bowl is in perfect condition, with a rich blue patina that has developed over centuries, adding to its visual richness and historical authenticity.

The bronze material indicates that this vessel was a valued object, likely used in libations or ritual offerings during important ceremonies or banquets associated with the Persian court. Its decoration and form embody the aesthetic ideals and cultural values of the Achaemenid period, combining utility with artistic expression.

The craftsmanship and fine detailing of this bowl reflect a high level of technological skill, characteristic of the Achaemenid metallurgists. Such a substantial vessel was probably used in prestigious contexts, including royal banquets or religious rituals, serving both a utilitarian and decorative purpose.

REFERENCE #

B-22100

CIVILIZATION

Persian, Iron Age

CIRCA 800 B.C.E. – 500 B.C.E.

SIZE

DIAMETER. 16cm, HT. 7cm

CONDITION

Fine condition.

PRICE

$4000

Provenance

Jerusalem Private Collection

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Luristan Master-of-Animals Finial Standard
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Luristan Master-of-Animals Finial Standard

The area of Luristan, in western Iran, was home to a rich tradition of bronze-working in the early part of the first millennium B.C.E., producing an array of finely-crafted and distinctive objects unique to the region. This intricately-cast standard finial was originally intended to sit atop a ceremonial staff to be carried in a procession; the bell-shaped socket at the lower end was designed to enable attachment.

The finial represents, in highly stylized form, the ‘Master of Animals’, a deity considered ancient even at the time this piece was made, and who probably had origins in Stone Age hunters’ cults. The figure has a cylindrical body, with three faces along its length. With a pair of slender arms, it fends off two serpent-like creatures. The lowest part of the figure has an exaggerated, oval-shaped torso and stands on a pair of short, bowed legs.

 

REFERENCE #

SI_PR_1016

CIVILIZATION

Persian, 1st millennium B.C.E.

SIZE

H. 35cm

CONDITION

Fine Condition

PRICE

SOLD

PROVENANCE

Private UK collection, late 1970’s.

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Schist Achamaenid Wing With Phoenix
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Schist Achamaenid Wing With Phoenix

This schist wing, dating from the Achaemenid period circa 500–300 BC and measuring approximately 27.5 centimeters, exemplifies the sophisticated craftsmanship and symbolic motifs of the era. The carved stone fragment depicts a stylized wing, notable for its intricate workmanship and symbolic significance. Central to the design is a finely incised and carefully modeled relief of a phoenix, a mythological bird emblematic of renewal, immortality, and divine protection—an iconic motif in Persian art. The detailed depiction demonstrates the skillful use of incisions and relief carving, highlighting the artisans’ mastery of stonework.

Originally, this fragment would have been part of an elaborate furniture decoration, potentially serving as a decorative panel or ornament within a throne, throne room, or ceremonial setting. The use of schist, a durable and locally sourced stone, reflects both aesthetic preferences and the technical capabilities of Achaemenid artisans. The phoenix motif underscores themes of rebirth and divine authority, aligning with the rich iconography prevalent in Persian cultural and religious symbolism.

Today, this fragment preserves the fine craftsmanship and sophisticated iconography characteristic of Achaemenid decorative arts. Its preserved details provide valuable insights into the visual language and ceremonial ornamentation of the Persian elite, illustrating the grandeur and symbolic complexity that adorned the architecture and surroundings of the ruling class in the ancient empire. REFERENCE #

SI_PR_1019

CIVILIZATION

Persian, 500 B.C.E.

SIZE

H. 27.5cm

CONDITION

Fine Condition

PRICE

$27500

PROVENANCE

Jerusalem Private Collection, late 1970’s.

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Silver Pair of Sphinx Handles
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Silver Pair of Sphinx Handles

Two handles from a bowl, pot or goblet. The square section is hollow and convex in shape to make holding the vessel easier. Each handle terminates in a sphinx standing on its back legs, with its front paws outstretched. These would be the point where the handles were attached to the upper area of the vessel.

The sphinxes are identical apart from the fact that one head looks to the left and the other to the right, although not quite to the same degree. They are depicted according to the Greek social conception of this mythological creature. Each has the bust of a woman, the body and tail of a lion, great bird wings and a female human head. Each head is depicted wearing a diadem and with the hair swept up and held at the back of the head in a bun. The precision and detail of the working of the faces and wings is notable, giving a sense of movement and realism to the pair. One can appreciate a clear attempt to differentiate between the feathers of the wings: those inserted into the body itself are small and short, rather like scales, while those at the extreme end of the wings are long and narrow, to help the creature take flight.

According to ancient literary sources, the sphinx was a monster with the face and bust of a woman, the claws of a lion, the body of a dog, the tail of a snake and wings of a bird. This demon of divine origin, whose presence excited uncertainty and terror in humans, was also characterized by its pallid appearance, fiery look and venomous mouth. It’s possible that this hybrid had its origin in Egyptian iconography, where it was represented with a feline body and human face, possibly connected to the divine power of the pharaoh.

The sculptural prototype of Greek sphinxes appears around the 7th century BCE in terracotta and was usually found decorating large receptacles. A century later they appeared in marble crowning seated ex-votos on a column. The monstrous, aggressive nature of the hybrid was channelled into funerary art, serving as an apotropaic symbol to keep away malevolent forces. It was usual, therefore, to find this iconography in metopes and hollow acroteria in Greek necropoleis of the 6th century BCE, usually with the animal in profile and turning its head toward the public in an attitude of defiance.

 

Reference #

SI_GR_1034

Civilization Greek,

5th – 4th century B.C.E.

Size

H. 14 cm

Condition

Intact, Fine

Price

P.O.R.

Provenance

Private collection, Great Britain. Acquired before 1975

 

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Silver Ribbed Achaemenid Wine Philae Bowl
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Silver Ribbed Achaemenid Wine Philae Bowl

From the Achaemenid period, particularly between circa 800-500 BC, numerous luxury vessels and ritual objects such as wine bowls are depicted in reliefs and artifacts recovered from excavations. These portrayals suggest that artisans began by shaping the vessel from a solid mass of silver, using a combination of chasing, hammering, and possibly casting techniques. The process would have involved roughing out the basic form, which was likely then refined through meticulous hammering and filing to achieve a symmetrical and balanced shape.

The large wine bowl in question exhibits a broad, rounded profile with a wide opening, designed to facilitate the pouring and serving of wine during banquets or ceremonial occasions. Its surface is decorated with intricate engraved motifs, which may include geometric patterns, stylized florals, or mythological symbols, indicative of the sophisticated ornamentation favored by Achaemenid artisans. These engravings would have been executed with precise metal tools, emphasizing symmetry and aesthetic harmony.

This vessel was crafted from silver, a metal highly prized in Persian courtly culture for its brilliance and symbolic association with purity and wealth. The silvery sheen and fine workmanship would have signified the high status of its owner, most likely a noble or a member of the royal court. The rim of the bowl is reinforced and slightly everted, suggesting a functional consideration to prevent damage and facilitate handling.

The craftsmanship and fine detailing of this bowl reflect a high level of technological skill, characteristic of the Achaemenid metallurgists. Such a substantial vessel was probably used in prestigious contexts, including royal banquets or religious rituals, serving both a utilitarian and decorative purpose.

REFERENCE #

MW-PR-1018

CIVILIZATION

Persian, Iron Age

CIRCA 800 B.C.E. – 500 B.C.E.

SIZE

DIAMETER. 22cm, HT. 7cm

CONDITION

Fine condition.

PRICE

$8500

Provenance

Jerusalem Private Collection

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