Ancient Biblical Holy Land Amphoriskos, Judea

Description

This elegant ancient-pottery Judea Biblical Period single-handle amphoriskos (literally a “small amphora,”) is an ancient Greek inspired vessel dating from the 8th-6th century BCE, the later time of the presence of the first Jewish Temple in the ancient Levant of Judea. Its tapering sides alter its bulbous, ribbed and slipped body below the shoulder and it ends in a long circular knob at its base not wide enough for it to stand on its own. Amphora comes from the Greek words meaning “carried on both sides”, but this has a single handle and was designed to hold small quantities of more expensive materials: cosmetics, fragrances and ointments. This ancient item is classsified among other pouring-vessels as a functional-and-utilitarian piece and is in excellent condition. It has no restorations or repairs, has minor burial deposits on the neck, an aged patina and normal scrapes and dents on its body expected for a piece 2 and a half millennia years old. It is small, covered in a slip to avoid leakage and is a functional-and-utilitarian earthenware terracotta covered with a slip to avoid leakage.