Herodian Oil Lamp

Bronze Mythical Creature, c. 800 BC. This unusual sculpture depicts a seated dog-like creature. However, it has horns in front of its ears and bears some resemblance to the horned carnivorous creatures in Near Eastern mythology. Thick, black, red and green patina with some encrustations.

Syro-Hittite. Bird-Headed Idol, c. 1,000 BC. Found in the Holy Land. Ex Collection of Robert C. Hamer. Robert C. Hamer was in the US State Department and served in Jordan, Iran, and Turkey among other Near Eastern posts. He left Jordan in June 1955 and Turkey in June 1966 and never returned to either country. All artifacts purchased or found overseas were brought in to the USA prior to July 1966. Acquired from Harlan J. Berk, LTD. 2020.

Roman Marble Head. 1st-2nd Century AD. Part of the Hamer Collection. Found in Turkey.

Egyptian Red Jasper Bound Cow Amulet, Late Period c. 715-330 BC. This nicely sculpted amulet is called a “Rehen”, or food offering amulet in the image of a bound cow. This amulet is associated with chapter 162 of the Book of the Dead and is generally supposed to represent an abundant supply of food in the afterlife and not necessarily a sacrifice. This example is in perfect condition, sculpted in a nice uniform red jasper.

Northern Syrian Terra-cotta Vase Fragment. c. 1,600 BC. This top vase fragment is modeled in buff pottery, the fragment includes a series of eight anthropomorphic figures, so called bird-face idols, encircling the neck of the vase. H. 1 1/2” (3.8 cm).