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| Ancient
Artefacts |
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There’s a special fascination with the civilisations of
the ancient world, particularly Egypt, Greece and Rome, the art
and antiques of this period being collectively known as antiquities.
The market in antiquities has enjoyed steady growth, and what
helps to drive it is a perception that, in comparison with more
recent antiques, the artefacts of the ancient world somehow seem
more reasonably priced, considering that their origins are further
into the past.
There is, however, a finite supply of antiquities. Ever
fewer items are coming onto the market for the first time, and
many items have originated from dwindling numbers of large collections
that have been split up and sold on, bringing the familiar signs
of rising demand, falling supply and increasing prices.
There are also the ethical considerations about whether antiquities
for sale are genuine and, more fundamentally, should such items
be available on the open market in the first place? A view
is expressed by some that it is wrong to sell the historical
birthright of a civilisation or a country, that all such items
should only be in the possession of museums where they were found.
To which it must be said that if museums were the only repositories
of historical artefacts, perhaps less than one per cent would
ever be on public view; and if an open market ceases to operate,
then it will be replaced by a closed or ‘black’ market,
such is the way of the world.
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111017
Faience scarab amulet, Egypt, Late Dynastic period c.1070-332BC
Faience amulet in the form of a scarab beetle, Egyptian,
Late Dynastic period
Formed in the shape of the dung beetle this amulet
was the symbol of the God Kephri and represented new
life, virility and resurrection
Worn in ancient times as either an aumlet or a seal
and so are all pierced
Guaranteed an original item as described
Length approx 1cm-1.5cm
This item is an original and was hand-made at the time
shown in the description. As such, each example is
slightly different and so variation will occur from
the item shown.
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111013
Bracelet formed of ancient 'Mummy
beads' of Egypt, New Kingdom c.1300BC
Porcelain trinket boxes beautifully decorated
in cobalt blue and white
With an inscription scored into the underside
of the lid naming the type of trinkets that would
have been stored inside
Most likely used for storing jewellery, precious
stones or gifts
Guaranteed an original item as described
Length from 6cm
This item is an original and was hand-made at
the time shown in the description. As such, each
example is slightly different and so variation
will occur from the item shown. |
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111014
Necklace formed of ancient 'Mummy
beads' of Egypt, New Kingdom c.1300BC
Necklace with modern clasp formed of ancient
'Mummy beads' of Egypt, New Kingdom
Ancient beads from the Egyptian New Kingdom -
period of the greatest Egyptian Pharaohs such
as Tutankhamun and Rameses II
Restrung onto a modern hoop
Length approx 75cm
This item is an original and was hand-made at
the time shown in the description. As such, each
example is slightly different and so variation
will occur from the item shown. |
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111015
Pair of earrings formed of ancient
'Mummy beads' of Egypt, New Kingdom c.1300BC
Pair of earrings with modern hoop formed of ancient
'Mummy beads' of Egypt, New Kingdom
Ancient beads from the Egyptian New Kingdom - period
of the greatest Egyptian Pharaohs such as Tutankhamun
and Rameses II
Restrung onto a modern hoop
Length approx 4cm
This item is an original and was hand-made at the
time shown in the description. As such, each example
is slightly different and so variation will occur
from the item shown. |
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111002
Bronze arrowtips, Greek period
c.400BC, mounted as a set of 3
3 bronze arrowtips from the Greek period mounted
on a display frame
"Darkness came as the volleys of arrows blocked
out the light and fell like rain" so wrote
a Greek chronicler at the siege of Agrigentum
These arrowtips would have been on the end of timber
or reed arrows and date from that same time period
Guaranteed an original item as described
Length approx 2cm each, mounted on modern perspex
This item is an original and was hand-made at the
time shown in the description. As such, each example
is slightly different and so variation will occur
from the item shown. |
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111029
Bronze dagger blade, Greek period
c.1500-500BC
Bronze dagger or knife blade from the Greek period
Would have been fitted into a timber or leather
handle which has since deteriorated
It is unknown whether these would have been used
for personal defence (as a dagger) as well as in
domestic tasks (as a knife)
Guaranteed an original item as described, at least
2,500 years old!
Length approx 26cm
This item is an original and was hand-made at the
time shown in the description. As such, each example
is slightly different and so variation will occur
from the item shown. |
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111037
Bronze sword 'Mycenean' type,
Greek period c.2000-1000BC
Bronze sword from the Greek period and of the
'Mycenean' type
The Myceneans were prominent in the Greek world
in the period 1600-1000BC
This sword type is named after the Myceneans because
the design and style was made popular by them
This sword itself could be from any part of the
ancient Greek world
Characteristics are the one-piece construction
with the handle cast as part of the blade which
made for a much stronger sword than those types
where the blade slid into a handle
Guaranteed an original item as described, and over
3,000 years old
Length approx 45cm
This item is an original and was hand-made at the
time shown in the description. As such, each example
is slightly different and so variation will occur
from the item shown. |
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111020
Pottery bottle, Roman period
c.2nd Centuries AD
Pottery bottle of the ancient Roman period
Pottery was used widely in the Roman world much
in the same way plastics are used today: most
household vessels would have been made from pottery
This is a Roman original and dates back to circa
2nd century AD
Guaranteed an original item as described
Height 10-15cm approx
This item is an original and was hand-made at the
time shown in the description. As such, each example
is slightly different and so variation will occur
from the item shown. |
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111021
Pottery jar of the Holy Land
'Old Testament' period c.3200-2500BC
From the cultures that flourished in the Bronze
Age in the area generally known today as the Holy
Land
Dates to the time of Noah and the Old Testament
A simply shaped item and simply decorated
Crafted by hand before the advent of the potters
wheel
Guaranteed an original item as described
Height approx 12cm
This item is an original and was hand-made at the
time shown in the description. As such, each example
is slightly different and so variation will occur
from the item shown. |
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111022
Large pottery bowl of the Holy
Land 'Old Testament' period c.3200-2500BC
A large bowl from the cultures that flourished
in the Bronze Age in the area generally known today
as the Holy Land
Dates to the time of Noah and the Old Testament
A simply shaped item and simply decorated
Crafted by hand before the advent of the potters
wheel
Guaranteed an original item as described
Height approx 17cm
This item is an original and was hand-made at the
time shown in the description. As such, each example
is slightly different and so variation will occur
from the item shown. |
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111026
Glass unguentarium or 'tear bottle',
Roman period c.1st-4th centuries AD
Glass unguentarium - container for ointments -
from the Roman period
Referred to by the Victorians as 'tear bottles'
because they believed due to their shape that the
Romans had used them to catch the tears of mourners
Glass was prized for storing ointments because
it would not taint the contents
The Roman Empire created the conditions for the
flourishing of glassworks across western Europe
and the Mediterranean, and Roman glass has even
been found as far afield as China, shipped there
along the silk routes.
Guaranteed an original item as described
Height approx 10-14cm
This item is an original and was hand-made at the
time shown in the description. As such, each example
is slightly different and so variation will occur
from the item shown. |
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Items in Cart | Total
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