Showing 25–36 of 44 results
This is an excellent example of the daily-use utilitarian earthenware oinochoe created for the masses. . Its body is tapered and ribbed from the everted rim to just above the flat, wide foot making it stable and attractive. It was made using a potters wheel, seen by the circle marks on the bottom and the uniform ribbing.
An uncomplicated ancient earthenware cup wih no handle, this rests on a short foot. Its body curves upand rises to meet a neck topped with an everted rim to lessen spillage It has a wide mouth for easy drinking, and the rim two-tones: a slight terracotta red and its crème slip. Its shape is exquisite. Although there are expected minor chips and scratches, earth adherents and minor losses of the slip, it is in excellent condition, beautiful in its simplicity and one of our favorite pieces in the VA collection.
Made in the Roman North Africa, this ancient ceramic flagon was made for the lower classes and called coarse wear. Used to hydrate all kinds of people and on home altars to make offerings to domestic family deities, it is a common ancient pottery shape having a handle and an angled edge around the entire vessel.
A fine ancient Roman platter produced for upper classes from the mid-1st century to the 7th century, this is refined and delicate and has stamped decorative images in complex circles. Although rough areas with small losses remain, it is an ancient piece otherwise in very good condition that, especially considering its age and use, remains a remarkable surviving piece of history.
This small 4th century BCE Xenon earthenware container has a single strap handle. Its body is decorated with orange painted designs of a continuous geometric meander, a band of tapering vertical lines above and a thin line around the body below it.
This elegant pair of ancient 12-13th century Khmer Empire cast bronze palanquin rings are decorated with ornate vegetal designs, possibly stylized lotus leaves, and highlight the fine technical abilities and artistry of the ancient Cambodian Khmer Empire’s meticulously detailed metal art. Mounted on unique stands for display in any setting.
First developed in the Shang dynasty, the Chinese dagger-axe (ge) was used as a military weapon through the Han dynasty. A dagger-shaped blade was mounted to a pole or shaft and secured using its tang (shank) and the holes on the sections of its body. It is very similar to the other ge on our site (3154B-BHK).
An ancient military weapon, bronze dagger-axes like this were used for millennia. It consists of a pointed blade, rear and low protrusions with openings for attaching to a shaft to allow it to be used as a thrusting and swinging-motion weapon. It was mounted and secured to a pole or shaft through the openings on its two perpendicular sections. This ge is a fascinating piece of military history and is in very good condition with minor losses and some verdigris expected in an ancient and roughly used bronze pieces.
This Han bronze belt hook is fashioned as a dragon with intense eyes. A button-like extension on its underside affixes to a belt hole, and the hook is positioned horizontally to attach to clothing. Belt hooks were used in life and then buried with the diseased to accompany him on his journey to the afterlife. In very good condition, it has not been cleaned and has normal pitting and surface losses due to its two millennia-old burial in a humid tomb that has heavily oxidized over the years and, therefore, has beautiful verdigris deposits.
Cocoon jars were mingqi made for placement in tombs to comfort the deceased on their journey to and in their afterlife. An elixir of Immortality made from mulberry leaves or their ashes was placed inside for the deceased to drink and transmigrate into the world of the beyond. Ovoid in shape to resemble a silkworm cocoon, ajar rests on a small trumpet-shaped foot and has a narrow neck and a wide lip at its mouth. Painted after firing with vertical bands dividing it into panels, swirling cloud scrolls, and circular “eye” motifs at each end, this beautiful vessel is in excellent condition for its age with expected paint losses, scrapes, and dirt adhesions.
This triangular spearpoint blade, worked on both sides, was found in Texas, along with with others and are revising theories about ancient American history. They are the oldest weapons found in North America and may date from 15,000-10,000 BCE. Most stone projectiles measure 3-4 inches, but this one is much larger at 7.5″, has impressive stone chip patterns and is likely a hunting tool for mammoths and other large game.
This earthenware brick tile bordered with a deep scalloped frame depicts a vase with a bouquet of propitious flowers: a chrysanthemum and a peony wrapped with an elegant ribbon. Tiles like this were made to decorate the large numbers of buildings created during the prosperous Song dynasty and to adorn tombs. This elegant brick is in good condition for its age with expected chips and cracks, some restoration of background and a re-glued frame break on each side. It has earth adherents from its burial in a tomb.
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