View allAll Photos Tagged ancientartifact
Chalice, Pottery, Bucchero, Etruscan, 7th - 6th Century B.C, 100 mm x 135 mm
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #pottery #vessel #bucchero #chalice #etruscan #etruria www.yourantiquarian.com/product/etruscan-chalice-2/
Votive head, Terracotta, Etruscan, 5th - 4th Century B.C, 235 mm x 180 mm x 115 mm
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #etruscan #etruria #votive #head #terracotta
Oil lamp with theatre mask handle, Bronze, Roman, 1st Century A.D, 90 mm x 73 mm x 165 mm
The theatre mask was a staple to Greek and Roman theatre. This gave the actors their identity during their performances. It also allowed one person to play multiple roles in one show. The masks were predominantly used by actors. The theater mask was a popular devices in theatrical performances as it conveyed emotion to far-away audiences in the amphitheater. The theater mask portrayed very expressive faces in order to emphasis the emotions being shown.
The mask is used to display an expression of emotion, the carving of these features into stone helps convey the emotion the actor aims to express. The mask is fashioned as to show a look of shock, surprise or awe, as seen by the gaping mouth and wide eyes. It can be assumed that from the short hair and masculine features that the mask was meant to portray a male.
The importance of this mask in Greek society was so the actor could express emotion and create a character for audiences. Theater in Greek culture was an extraordinarily important and was a primary source of entertainment. It was seen as a way of investigating further into the world they lived and the meaning of humanity. The Romans had a tendency to adopt greek traditions and artifacts into their own culture.
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #ancientrome #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #roman #theatre #mask #lamp #bronze
www.yourantiquarian.com/product/roman-oil-lamp-with-theat...
Statuette of a polo player, Pottery, Chinese, Tang Dynasty, 618 - 907 A.D, 275 mm x 350 mm x 115 mm, Include Thermoluminescence test by QED Laboratoire (Reference QED2205/EC-0110)
It is likely that the original purpose of the figure was that of a mingqi, terracotta figures designed to be included in a burial in order to accompany the deceased in the afterlife for protection, service and companionship.
They included daily utensils, musical instruments, weapons, armor, and intimate objects such as the deceased’s cap, can and bamboo mat. Mingqi also could include figurines, spiritual representations rather than real people, of soldiers, servants, musicians, polo riders, houses, and horses. Extensive use of mingqi during certain periods may either have been an attempt to preserve the image of ritual propriety by cutting costs, or it may have a new idea separating the realm of the dead from that of the living.
Though these were particularly popular during the Tang dynasty (618-906 AD), mingqi from a broad range of historical periods have been found, with this piece acting as a particularly early example of the practice.
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #china #tang #tangdynasty #polo #poloplayer #ancientchina #ancientchinese
www.yourantiquarian.com/product/chinese-statuette-of-a-po...
Piriformed aryballos with strip decoration, Pottery, terracotta, Greek, Etruscan-Corinthian, 6th Century B.C, 105 mm x 60 mm (without stand)
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #etruscan #ancientgreece #ancientworld #history #classical #etruria #archaeology #greek #greece #corinthian #pottery #vessel
Available in our shop! :-) www.yourantiquarian.com/product/greek-piriformed-aryballo...
Statuette of Harpocrates, Marble, Roman, 1st - 2nd Century A.D, 110 mm x 60 mm x 34 mm
In the Roman period, Harpocrates continued to be a significant deity, albeit with adaptations and reinterpretations influenced by both Roman and Egyptian religious traditions. Harpocrates was originally an ancient Egyptian god associated with silence, secrets, and confidentiality. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the cult of Harpocrates spread throughout the Mediterranean, and the god underwent syncretism with various Greek and Roman deities, blending cultural and religious influences.
In Roman art and mythology, Harpocrates is often depicted as a young boy with a finger to his lips, symbolizing the gesture of silence. The Romans associated him with the concept of confidentiality and discretion, making him a popular figure in various contexts, including funerary art and domestic worship. The Roman adaptation of Harpocrates integrated elements of the original Egyptian symbolism with the broader Greco-Roman religious landscape, showcasing the fluidity and adaptability of ancient religious beliefs during this period.
Devotion to Harpocrates also found a place in mystery cults and esoteric traditions in the Roman Empire. The god’s association with silence and secrecy made him a fitting figure for cults that emphasized initiation rites and hidden knowledge.
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #antiquity #art #artobject #ancientrome #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #roman #marble #statuette #statue #figure #figurine #harpocrates
www.yourantiquarian.com/product/roman-statuette-of-harpoc...
Figurine of a little Eros riding on a dolphin, holding a lyre with remains of polychromy, Pottery, Greek, 4th - 3rd Century B.C, 145 mm x 140 mm x 65 mm
The depiction of Eros riding on a dolphin while holding a lyre is a classical motif from ancient Greek art that symbolizes the association of love, music, and the sea. Eros, the Greek god of love and desire, is often portrayed in various forms, and the image of him riding a dolphin is a representation of his playful and mischievous nature. The dolphin, a creature associated with the sea, was considered sacred to the goddess Aphrodite, who is closely linked to Eros in Greek mythology. This imagery not only emphasizes Eros’s connection to the watery realms but also underscores the harmonious and poetic aspects of love.
The inclusion of the lyre in Eros’s hands adds another layer of meaning to the composition. The lyre, a stringed musical instrument, was associated with Apollo, the god of music and arts. The combination of Eros with the lyre suggests a fusion of love and artistic expression, highlighting the transformative and inspiring power of love in the realm of creativity. This motif can be found in various forms of Greek art, including sculptures, pottery, and frescoes, reflecting the cultural significance of these themes in the classical period and their enduring influence on Western artistic traditions.
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #antiquity #art #artobject #ancientgreek #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #greek #eros #dolphin #figurine #statuette #statue #lyre #pottery #vessel
www.yourantiquarian.com/product/greek-figurine-of-a-littl...
Scarab of pharaoh Akhenaten with and Udjat eye on the back, Steatite, Egyptian, Amarna Period, 14th Century B.C, 14 mm x 8 mm
Akhenaten, also known as Amenhotep IV, was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who reigned during the 18th dynasty. He is particularly famous for his radical religious reforms during the Amarna Period (approximately 1353-1336 BCE). Akhenaten introduced a monotheistic religion centered around the worship of the sun disk, Aten, and he moved the Egyptian capital from Thebes to a newly established city called Akhetaten (modern-day Amarna). This period marked a significant departure from the traditional polytheistic beliefs of ancient Egypt. Akhenaten's reign also saw artistic changes, with a more naturalistic style evident in depictions of the royal family. His successor, Tutankhamun, eventually reversed many of these reforms after Akhenaten's death, restoring the old gods and traditions, making the Amarna Period a unique and transformative episode in Egyptian history.
The Udjat Eye, often called the "Eye of Horus" or the "Eye of Ra," is a powerful symbol in ancient Egyptian mythology and is closely associated with protection, healing, and restoration. It is typically depicted as a stylized human eye with distinctive markings and falcon or cobra elements, representing the left eye of the god Horus or the right eye of the god Ra, depending on the context. The Udjat Eye was believed to have protective and healing properties and was used in amulets and jewelry to ward off evil and bring blessings. It was also associated with the concept of soundness and completeness, making it a symbol of well-being and protection in ancient Egyptian culture.
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #antiquity #art #artobject #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #scarab #udjat #akhenaten #pharaoh #steatite #amarna #egypt #egyptian
www.yourantiquarian.com/product/egyptian-scarab-of-pharao...
Dunhuang, China-October 13, 2017: Mogao Caves relics at display-Dunhuang Research Academy Cultural Relics and Exhibition Center is the only collection agency for the cultural caves relics in China.
Double spouted askos with dolphins, Pottery, Greek, Daunian, 3rd Century B.C, 213 mm x 180 mm x 160 mm
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #antiquity #art #artobject #ancientgreece #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #greek #greece #pottery #vessel #askos #spouted #dolphin #dolphins
www.yourantiquarian.com/product/greek-double-spouted-asko...
Piriformed aryballos with flakes decoration, Pottery, terracotta, Greek, Etruscan-Corinthian, 6th Century B.C, 103 mm x 70 mm
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #etruscan #ancientgreece #ancientworld #history #classical #etruria #archaeology #greek #pottery #vessel #corinthian
Available in our shop! :-) www.yourantiquarian.com/product/greek-piriformed-aryballo...
Lekythos with palmette, Pottery, Greek, 4th Century B.C, 127 mm x 66 mm
Like the aryballos, in that it has a narrow neck and a single handle, the lekythos (pl. lekythoi) is generally a taller vessel with a small, deep mouth. The Greek word lekythos was undoubtedly used for the various forms considered here, although it does appear that it was used for oil-vessels in general.
In the early sixth-century, the lekythos has an oval-shaped body, but as with the hydria and neck-amphora, a shouldered-type is developed around the middle of the century. This form, with a tapering body, continues to be decorated by black-figure painters. But it is the cylindrical type, first preserved from the last third of the sixth-century, that will be predominant in the fifth century, and it is this form that is decorated with polychrome figures on white-ground. Fragmentary examples (and X-ray photography) reveal that some had a smaller inner chamber, to limit the volume of oil that could be held.
The role of the white-ground (cylindrical) lekythoi in funerary ritual is made clear both by their excavation from cemeteries and their depiction, invariably on lekythoi themselves, standing or fallen over at the graveside. Late in the fifth century, some massive examples of the shape are produced ('Huge Lekythoi'), serving perhaps as equivalents for stone grave-markers.
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #greek #pottery #vessel #greece #lekythos
www.yourantiquarian.com/product/greek-lekythos-with-palme...
Slingshot with inscription 'CN MAG / IMP', Gnaeus Pompeius., Lead, Roman, 45 B.C, 26 x 42 mm
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #ancientrome #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #roman #pompeii #pompeius #caesar #slingshot #glanders #legion #army #lead www.yourantiquarian.com/product/roman-slingshot-gnaeus-po...
Phallic amulet, Faience, Roman, 1st - 3rd Century A.D, 18 mm x 12 mm
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #ancientrome #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #roman #phallic #phallus #amulet #ancientjewelry #jewel #jewelry www.yourantiquarian.com/product/roman-phallic-amulet-3/
Painted cartonnage foot from a mummy sarcophagus, Linen and Gesso, Egyptian, Ptolemaic period, 3rd - 1st Century B.C, 180 mm x 290 mm x 290 mm
The Ptolemaic Kingdom was an Ancient Greek state based in Egypt during the Hellenistic Period. It was founded in 305 BC by Ptolemy I Soter, a companion of Alexander the Great, and lasted until the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BC. Ruling for nearly three centuries, the Ptolemies were the longest and most recent Egyptian dynasty of ancient origin.
Alexander the Great conquered Persian-controlled Egypt in 332 BC during his campaigns against the Achaemenid Empire. After Alexander’s death in 323 BC, his empire quickly unraveled amid competing claims by the diadochi, his closest friends and companions. Ptolemy, a Macedonian who was one of Alexander’s most trusted generals and confidants, won control of Egypt from his rivals and declared himself pharaoh. Alexandria, a Greek polis founded by Alexander, became the capital city and a major center of Greek culture, learning, and trade for the next several centuries. Following the Syrian Wars with the Seleucid Empire, a rival Hellenistic state, the Ptolemaic Kingdom expanded its territory to include eastern Libya, the Sinai, and northern Nubia.
To legitimize their rule and gain recognition from native Egyptians, the Ptolemies adopted the title of the pharaoh and had themselves portrayed on public monuments in Egyptian style and dress; otherwise, the monarchy rigorously maintained its Hellenistic character and traditions. The kingdom had a complex government bureaucracy that exploited the country’s vast economic resources to the benefit of a Greek ruling class, which dominated military, political, and economic affairs, and which rarely integrated into Egyptian society and culture. Native Egyptians maintained power over local and religious institutions, and only gradually accrued power in the bureaucracy, provided they Hellenized. Beginning with Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the Ptolemies began to adopt Egyptian customs, such as marrying their siblings per the Osiris myth, and participating in Egyptian religious life. New temples were built, older ones restored, and royal patronage lavished on the priesthood.
From the mid third century BC, Ptolemaic Egypt was the wealthiest and most powerful of Alexander’s successor states, and the leading example of Greek civilization. Beginning in the mid second century BC, dynastic strife and a series of foreign wars weakened the kingdom, and it became increasingly reliant on the Roman Republic. Under Cleopatra VII, who sought to restore Ptolemaic power, Egypt became entangled in a Roman civil war, which ultimately led to its conquest by Rome as the last independent Hellenistic state. Roman Egypt became one of Rome’s richest provinces and a center of Macedonian culture, with Greek remaining the main language of government until the Muslim conquest in 641 AD. Alexandria remained one of the leading cities of the Mediterranean well into the late Middle Ages.
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #antiquity #art #artobject #ancientegypt #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #egyptian #egypt #mummy #sarcophagus
www.yourantiquarian.com/product/egyptian-painted-cartonna...
Whiteware aryballos, Pottery, terracotta, Greek, Corinthian, 8th - 6th Century B.C, 80 mm x 75 mm
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #ancientgreece #ancientworld #history #classical #corinthian #archaeology #greek #pottery #vessel
Available in our shop! :-) www.yourantiquarian.com/product/greek-whiteware-aryballos/
Alexander III 'The Great', 336 - 323 BC, Sardes, Drachm, Silver, AR, 15 mm, 4,14 gr, Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lionskin headdress, Rev: AΛEΞANΔΡOY, Zeus seated left, legs uncrossed, holding eagle and sceptre, NK monogram and bee in left field.
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #greek #ancientgreece #ancientworld #history #classical #ancientcoins #ancientcoin #archaeology #greece
Available in our shop! :-) www.yourantiquarian.com/product/kings-of-macedon-alexande...
Head of a young, Marble, Roman, Eastern Mediterranean, 1st - 3rd Century A.D, 87 mm x 57 mm without stand
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #antiquity #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #art #artobject #ancientrome #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #roman #marble #head #statue #statuette #bust #portrait #young
Lekythos, Cock Group, depicting mincing satyr and maenad between two draped youths, Pottery, Greek, 510 - 500 B.C, 130 mm x 58 mm diameter
Greek lekythoi depicting a satyr and maenad, along with youths, offer intriguing glimpses into the mythical narratives, religious rituals, and social customs of ancient Greece. Lekythoi were a type of ancient Greek pottery vessel used primarily for storing oil, often placed in tombs as offerings to the deceased. These vessels were typically decorated with scenes from everyday life, mythology, or religious ceremonies, providing valuable insights into the cultural and artistic practices of ancient Greece.
The depiction of a satyr and maenad on a Greek lekythos suggests a scene from Greek mythology or religious worship. Satyrs were mythical creatures associated with the god Dionysus, known for their wild and hedonistic behavior. Maenads were female followers of Dionysus who participated in ecstatic rituals and celebrations known as Bacchanalia. The presence of youths in the scene may suggest a Dionysian procession or revelry, where participants, including satyrs, maenads, and youths, engaged in music, dance, and wine-drinking as part of the worship of Dionysus.
The imagery of a satyr and maenad on a Greek lekythos may also carry symbolic meanings related to fertility, rebirth, and the cycle of life. Dionysus, as the god of wine, fertility, and ecstasy, was often associated with the natural world and the changing seasons. Scenes depicting satyrs and maenads celebrating Dionysian rites may symbolize the renewal of life and the cyclical rhythms of nature, as well as the release of inhibitions and the pursuit of joy and pleasure.
#ancient #ancientart #ancienthistory #artefact #artifact #ancientartifacts #antiquities #antiquity #art #artobject #ancientgreece #ancientworld #history #classical #archaeology #greek #pottery #vessel #lekythos #satyr #maenad
www.yourantiquarian.com/product/greek-lekythos-cock-group...