Greek Long Necked Glass Flask

A beautiful and graceful long necked glass flask, decorated with four concentric circles around the body. And more circles at the bottom of the neck and along it. It is a very heavy piece because of its thick walls.  The circles were done by etching the glass with a stone tool.

REFERENCE #

GL_GR_1001

CIVILIZATION

Greek, 500 B.C.E. – 400 B.C.E.

SIZE

18 cm

CONDITION

Fine condition

Price

available upon request

He Domenico Manni Collection Of Liturgical Manuscripts

7 leaves and one part-leaf, 312 x 215mm — 372 x 265mm: (i) ORIGEN (d.253/4), translated by RUFINUS (d.410), In Numeros Homiliae, in Latin, [Italy, perhaps Tuscany, early 12th century], 2 almost complete leaves, two columns of 34 lines written in a fine rounded Carolingian minuscule bookhand in dark brown ink, the text containing parts of Homily XXVI and XXVII, with a December 1580 inscription in Italian on f.1v, 372 x 265mm; A MISSAL, in Latin, [Italy, probably Tuscany, early 13th century], 2 leaves, two columns of 31 lines written in brown ink, rubrics and initials in red, the text from the Sanctoral containing masses for Saints Zenobius, Romulus, Reparata and Cerbonius, all Tuscan, 311 x 215mm; ROLANDINUS RODOLPHINUS (d.1300), Summa artis notariae, in Latin, [Italy, late 13th or early 14th century], 1 leaf and one part leaf, two columns of 44 lines written in brown ink, rubrics and paraphs in red, the text containing parts of chapters VIII and IX, 320 x 223mm; A BREVIARY, in Latin, [Italy, late 14th century], two leaves, two columns of at least 23 lines, initials in red and blue, rubrics in red, with part of the text for Feria VI in Easter week, ownership inscriptions in Italian, 355 x 275mm (all recovered from bindings, some cropping, staining and creasing). All in modern card bindings.

 

Reference #

MS_BZ_1005

Civilization

Medieval , 1200 C.E. – 1400 C.E.

Size

7 leaves and one part-leaf, 312 x 215mm — 372 x 265mm

Condition

Fine Condition

Price

Price available upon request

Provenance

Baidun Collection, acquired at Christies sale November 2013

Hellenistic Marble Head of Zeus

Zeus’ imposing presence was felt throughout Ancient Greece as evidenced by the many sculptures and paintings of his image that make up the region’s archaeological record. This white marble sculpture of Zeus dates from Greece’s Hellenistic period of approximately 300-200 B.C.E., a time when Greek sculpture had entered a Classical period defined by its rigid poses and severe features. This figure’s lush hair, parted lips, and strong brow show the emphasis placed on such stylized details during Greece’s Classical period.

This sculpture is a highly realistic representation of Zeus, and it may be that the sculptor based this image on someone he knew from his everyday life. This sculpture is a breathtaking example of the technical skill and detailed eye of Greece’s celebrated sculptors. The piece has been restored to reveal the sculpture’s original power, although the body has been lost to history’s vagaries.

REFERENCE #

SI_GR_1011

CIVILIZATION

Greek Hellenistic, 300 B.C.E. – 200 B.C.E.

SIZE

H. 30 cm

CONDITION

Fine condition

PRICE

P.O.R

PROVENANCE

English Private Collection of a German Professor, ca 1970’s

 

Indian Copper Anthropomorph (Idol) – Type I

 

Indian Copper Anthropomorph (Idol)

Type I – i.e. without hieroglyph inscription

This Indus Valley civilization copper anthropomorph is a rare and fine example of abstract silhouettes of human figures that were produced by the indigenous inhabitants of the Ganges river valley. Found together with other implements such as harpoons and rings, the figures were cast in molds from copper and then hammered, with the chisel marks left easily discernible. The natural attractive patina and the earthy deposits are signs of prolonged burial. It has been suggested that these idols functioned as protective guardian spirits.

 

Four Types of Anthropomorphs

ANTHROPOMORPH FEATURED HERE IS OF TYPE I, i.e. without hieroglyph inscription:

Given that pure copper is a relatively soft metal and most of the objects show little or no signs of wear, it seems likely that their function was largely dedicatory. Hoards of such objects have been found across north India, the greatest concentration being in Uttar Pradesh. The findspots suggest they were ritually deposited in rivers or marshes, though several related antennae swords were recorded in late Indus Valley civilization (ca. 1500 B.C.) burials at Sanauli.

 

– Type I – semi-circular headed, curved arms signifying ram’s horns, standing with spread legs.
– Type II – (Indus Script ‘fish’ hieroglyph) similar to Type I but with Indus script incription of ‘fish’ hieroglyph.
– Type III – (Seated, with right arm upraised) similar to Type I but with variants of ‘seated posture’ and one right arm lift upwards.
– Type IV – (Indus Script ‘boar’ ligature & ‘yong [sic] bull’ hieroglyh [sic] inscribed) similar to Type I but with Indus Script inscriptions/ligatures of boar’s head and hieroglyph of one-horned young bull.

 

Paul Yule had identified Type I and Type II artefacts from among the Copper Hoard Culture finds as anthropomorph types based on orthographic features. With the discovery of new artefacts of the Copper Hoard Culture, the typology can now be extended to four types of anthropomorphs. The types are:
– Type I – semi-circular headed, curved arms signifying ram’s horns, standing with spread legs.
– Type II – similar to Type I but with Indus script incription of ‘fish’ hieroglyph.
– Type III – similar to Type I but with variants of ‘seated posture’ and one right arm lift upwards.
– Type IV – similar to Type I but with Indus Script inscriptions/ligatures of boar’s head and hieroglyph of one-horned young bull.

 

The findspot of Type II “Sheorajpur Anthropomorph” (with ‘fish’ hieroglyph) is Sheorajpur where an ancient Shiva temple has been discovered. The temple ceiling is decorated with metalwork plates of sculptural friezes attesting to the metalwork tradition of the site during the Bronze Age.

 

Apart from the insribed or ligatured anthropomorphs with Indus Script hieroglyphs, the link to Indus Script tradition is validated by the finds of anthropomorphs in Sultanate of Oman dated to ca. 1900 BCE and to the find of an anthropomorph in Lothal (2500 BCE?). Thus the Copper Hoard Culture can be seen as a continuum of the Bronze Age Revolution evidenced by the Indus Script Corpora of over 7000 inscriptions – all related to metalwork catalogues or data archives.

 

It is submitted that the anthropomorphs of Copper Hoard Culture are a reinforcement of the Indus Script decipherent as metalwork cataloguing in Prakrtam (Indian sprachbund), a cipher system mentioned by Vatsyayana as mlecchita vikalpa ‘lit.cipher of mleccha/meluhha, ‘copper workers’.

 

While many anthropomorph examples are of small size which led Paul Yule to infer that they did not have utilitarian value as ‘metal’, some examples have been reported from Metmuseum of anthropomorphs of sizes 4 1/2 x 3 15/16 in. and 6 1/8 x 4 7/8 in. which have led to their identification as axe-heads or ax celts or copper ingots.

 

Srini Kalyanaraman suggests that all the anthropomorphs are orthographic form hieroglyphs of Indus Script to signify metalwork dharma saṁjñā ‘signifiers of responsibilities (in guild — as artisans/seafaring merchants) or professional calling cards’.  Such dharma saṁjñā may have been disseminated as badges to herald or proclaim the holders’ professional competence in metalwork.

 

RV 1.10.1 indicates ‘worshippers held aloft as it were (on) a pole’ during Indra dhvaja festivals. It is possible that such anthropomorphs were held aloft on poles as exhibits during festivals to proclaim to the people the new competence in metalwork.

 

Parallel Anthropomorph in Museum

(located at Allahabad Museum, Allahabad, India):

– Anthropomorphic Figure, Copper hoard culture, Farukkhabad, Uttar Pradesh
http://museumsofindia.gov.in/repository/record/alh_ald-AM-ARCH-218-7671

 

Parallel “Sheorajpur Anthropomorph” in Museum

(located at State Museum, Lucknow, India):
TYPE II ANTHROPOMORPH

– Sheorajpur anthropomorph with ‘fish’ hieroglyph and ‘markhor’ horns hieroglyph. ayo’fish’ Rebus: ayo ‘iron, metal’ (Gujarati)  khambhaṛā ‘fish fin’ rebus: kammaTa ‘mint, coiner, coinage’.  Fish sign incised on copper anthropomorph, Sheorajpur, upper Ganges valley, ca. 2nd millennium BCE, 4 kg; 47.7 X 39 X 2.1 cm. State Museum, Lucknow (O.37) Typical find of Gangetic Copper Hoards.
http://katalog.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/cgi-bin/titel.cgi?katkey=900213101
http://heidicon.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/heidicon/239/213101.html
http://heidicon.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/id/213101
http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums_lucknow.asp
http://uptourism.gov.in/pages/top/explore/lucknow/state-museum

 

Parallel “Saipa Anthropomorph” in Museum

(located at Musée Barbier-Mueller, Switzerland):

– Anthropomorphic figure, Copper hoard culture, Northern India, Doab region, Ganges Valley
http://www.barbier-mueller.ch/collections/antiquite/age-du-bronze/?lang=en
http://www.barbier-mueller.ch/collections/antiquite/age-du-bronze/?lang=fr

 

Parallel Anthropomorphs in Museum

(located at MET MUSEUM, New York City, New York, USA):

– Samuel Eilenberg Collection, Bequest of Samuel Eilenberg, 1998
http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/39432
http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/50592
http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/50588
http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/50641

 

Parallel Anthropomorph in Museum

(located at CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART, Cleveland, Ohio, USA):

– Anthropomorphic Figure.  India.  Bronze Age.  Mid/Second Half of the 2nd Millenium BCE.
– Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund
http://www.clevelandart.org/art/2004.31

 

Parallel Anthropomorph in Cleveland Museum of Art Mentioned in Scholarly Journal:

“Art of Asia Acquired by North American Museums”, 2003-2004 (p. 113, Fig. 8)
Archives of Asian Art
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 109-132
Published by: Duke University Press
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20111341
Page Count: 24

 

cf. Scholarly Publication

Anthropomorph in Baidun Collection Most Similar to Fig. 1121 on Page 241:

– P. Yule/A. Hauptmann/M. Hughes, “The Copper Hoards of the Indian Subcontinent: Preliminaries for an Interpretation”, Jahrbuch des Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums Mainz 36, 1989 [1992], 193-275.
– “The Copper Hoards of the Indian Subcontinent: Preliminaries for an Interpretation” with Appendix I and II by Andreas Hauptmann and Michael J. Hughes (p. 239, fig. 1105; see also p. 241-242 figs. 1121-1123, 1128 for similar anthropomorphs).
http://crossasia-repository.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/509/
http://crossasia-repository.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/509/1/00jrgzm_all.pdf

 

cf. Scholarly Publication

– P. Yule, ‘Addenda to “The Copper Hoards of the Indian Subcontinent: Preliminaries for an Interpretation”‘
http://crossasia-repository.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/510/
http://crossasia-repository.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/510/1/yule_man_envir_2001.pdf

 

cf. Scholarly Publication

– P. Yule, “Beyond the Pale of Near Eastern Archaeology: Anthropomorphic Figures from al-Aqir near Bahla’, Sultanate of Oman” within:  T. Stöllner et al. (Hrsg.), “Mensch und Bergbau Studies in Honour of Gerd Weisgerber on Occasion of his 65th Birthday”, (Bochum 2003) 537-542
http://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/propylaeumdok/109/1/Yule_2003.pdf

 

cf. Scholarly Publication

cf. Plates with Illustrations of Anthropomorphs:

– P. Yule, “Metalwork of the Bronze Age in India”
http://crossasia-repository.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/1895/
http://crossasia-repository.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/1895/1/Metalwork_BronzeAge_India.pdf

 

cf. Scholarly Publication

“The Copper Hoard Culture of the Gangā Valley”
– B. Lal (1972), “The Copper Hoard culture of the Gangā Valley”. Antiquity, 46 (184), 282-287. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00053886
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/copper-hoard-culture-of-the-ganga-valley/EB6ABFD8D5BD193835C0145C3BD55925

 

cf. Scholarly Publication

– J. Manuel, “The antecedent’s diverse  influences  on  and  by Vaishnava Art,  as perceptible from the times of Copper Anthropomorphic Figures” within:
Journal of Religious History South Asia, Vol. A-1 (Published Fall 2015)
http://www.jorhsa.com/Edition_2015/Copper.pdf

 

cf. Scholarly Publication

“On Copper Age Anthropomorphic Figures from North India An Ethnological Interpretation”
Jürgen W. Frembgen
East and West
Vol. 46, No. 1/2 (June 1996), pp. 177-182
Published by: Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente (IsIAO)
Stable URL:  http://www.jstor.org/stable/29757261
Page Count: 6

 

cf. Scholarly Publication

“The Copper Hoards Problem: A Technological Angle”
D. P. AGRAWAL
Asian Perspectives
Vol. 12 (1969), pp. 113-119
Published by: University of Hawai’i Press
Stable URL:  http://www.jstor.org/stable/42929067
Page Count: 7

 

cf. Scholarly Publication

T.K.D GUPTA, “The anthropomorphic figures of the copper-hoards from India”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306878726_The_anthropomorphic_figures_of_the_copper-hoards_from_India

 

Ancient Indus Museums

15 museums around the world where ancient Indus Civilization artifacts are live.
https://www.harappa.com/museum

 

SOURCES

Links Included Above Embedded Inline + Links Below:

http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.co.il/2016/07/all-four-types-of-anthropomorphs-of.html
http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.co.il/2015/05/composite-copper-alloy-anthropomorphic.html
http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.co.il/2014/01/stunning-metallic-ceiling-of-shivrajpur.html
http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.co.il/2014/01/meluhha-hieroglyphs-snarling-iron-of.html
http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.co.il/2014/01/stunning-metallic-ceiling-of-shivrajpur.html

 

https://www.academia.edu/27354911/All_four_types_of_anthropomorphs_of_Copper_Hoard_Culture_are_dharma_saṁjñā_metalwork_signifiers_of_responsibilities_in_guild_or_professional_calling_cards

 

https://sarasvati97.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/copper-anthropomorphs-are-dharma-saṃjna-संज्ञा-samskrtam-dhamma-sanna-सञ्ञा-‎pali/

 

http://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/naman-ahuja-is-mastering-the-art-of-reaching-out-114092501180_1.html

REFERENCE #

SI_IN_1001

CIVILIZATION

Late Bronze, 1500 B.C.E. – 1300 B.C.E.

SIZE

Ht. 33 cm, Wd. 31 cm

CONDITION

Fine Condition.

PRICE

Price available upon request

PROVENANCE

Private English Collection, 1969

Islamic “Molar” Bottle

Colorless, bubbly/mold-blown. Ground rim, neck narrowing toward bottom, square body, which at the bottom part divides into four cut wedge-shaped feet arranged around a flat bottom. The Molar bottle is a characteristic example of cut Islamic glass. Its name derives from the four wedge-shaped feet, which resemble the root of a molar tooth. In Lamm’s opinion, such bottles were manufactured in Egypt, from where they were distributed throughout the Islamic world as perfume containers. Similar bottles were also fashioned from metal and ivory. They were common in the 900 and 1000 AD, but thereafter their production was ceased. They have been found in Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Syria and the holy land.

REFERENCE #

GL_IS_1001

CIVILIZATION

Islamic, 900 C.E. -1000 C.E.

SIZE

H. 7.5 cm

CONDITION

Fine condition

PRICE

Price available upon request

PROVENANCE

The Baidun Collection

Islamic Ayoubid Painted Ewer

This ewer is from the reign of the Ayyubid dynasty that ruled much of the Middle East for over a century starting in approximately 1100 C.E.. The Ayybuids were Islamic warriors who conquered parts of Egypt, Syria, northern Mesoptamia, the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the southwestern swath of the Arabian Peninsula. In such a region, water was essential in daily life, and the cool relief that this ewer brought was not lost on those who received a glass from its long spout.

This ewer is of a recognizable shape, although the elongated mouth and the three careful holes at the neck’s top show how water was guarded preciously from being wasted in the desert. We see distinct Islamic designs that closely resemble the fluid movement of Arabic calligraphy. The crude craftsmanship gives way to the ewer’s brilliant front, designed with such intricate lines and patterns so as to lift this everyday object up beyond the everyday into a truly beautiful piece of antiquity. The ewer dates from approximately 1000 C.E. – 1200 C.E. and is 28 cm in height.

REFERENCE #

CR_IS_1002

CIVILIZATION

Islamic, 1000 C.E. – 1200 C.E.

SIZE

H. 28 cm

CONDITION

Fine condition

PRICE

Sold

PROVENANCE

The Baidun Collection

Israelite Kingdom Axe Head

A cast bronze axe head with a cylindrical socketing shaft, a tapered spike on the back end, and a horizontal axe blade on the front.

For similar see: Nikolaus Boroffka,  Simple technology. Casting moulds for axe-heads. In: Tobias L. Kienlin, Ben Roberts (ed.), Metals and society. Studies in honour of Barbara S. Ottaway.

Universitätsforschungen zur Prähistorischen Archäologie 169. Vertag

Dr. Rudolf Habelt GmbH (Bonn 2009), pp. 246-257, n. 1-2.

 

REFERENCE #

WP_PR_1115

CIVILIZATION

Canaanite, 1200 B.C.E. – 800 B.C.E.

Time of the Israelite Kingdom

SIZE

L. 20 cm

CONDITION

Fine condition

PRICE

$2500

Large Canaanite Chocolate and White Ware

Large Canaanite chocolate and white ware, ancient Canaanite pottery corresponding to the Late Bronze Age of approximately 1530 B.C.E. – 1480 B.C.E.. Narrow base rises to wide smooth shoulders, topped by slightly flared neck with straight-rimmed mouth. Monochrome paint patterns in four distinct rings on vase’s top half, interspersed with four stylized palm trees. Base structure of three loops, each painted with four short straight lines, serves as tripod stand.

 

REFERENCE #

KB_PT_9984

CIVILIZATION

Late Bronze Age IA, 1530 B.C.E. – 1480 B.C.E.

SIZE

H. 26 cm

CONDITION

Fine condition

PRICE

Price available upon request

Large Canaanite Olive Oil Jar with a Dipper Holder

Large Canaanite chocolate and white ware, ancient Canaanite pottery corresponding to the Late Bronze Age of approximately 1530 B.C.E. – 1480 B.C.E. Narrow base rises to wide smooth shoulders, topped by slightly flared neck with straight-rimmed mouth. Monochrome paint patterns in four distinct rings on vase’s top half, interspersed with four stylized palm trees. Base structure of three loops, each painted with four short straight lines, serves as tripod stand.

 

REFERENCE #

KB_PT_2878

CIVILIZATION

Early Bronze Age I, 3500 B.C.E. – 3000 B.C.E.

SIZE

H. 34.5 cm

CONDITION

Fine condition

PRICE

Price available upon request