Ancient Biblical Holy Land Amphoriskos, Judea (1934VHE) $425

Description

This elegant ancient-pottery Judean vessel is an elegant single-handle amphoriskos (literally a “small amphora,”). It dates from the Holy Land during the first Jewish Biblical-Period in Judea circa the 8th to 6th century BCE, the later time of the presence of the first Jewish Temple in the ancient Levant. An ancient Greek inspired vessel, amphora comes from the Greek words meaning “carried on both sides”. Its tapering sides are above its bulbous, ribbed and 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. This one has a single handle and was designed to hold small quantities of more expensive materials: cosmetics, fragrances, and ointments. This  terracotta  pouring vessel was completely covered with a slip to avoid leakage. In excellent condition, It has no restorations or repairs, remains of a slip, 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.