Description

Byzantine clay set discovered in the Holy Land.

Good Condition.
Found in Israel.
Height: 

This set of vessels is dated to the Byzantine Period (4th-7th Century A.D). The Byzantine period was an important period in the history of the Land of Israel, when this land became the “Holy Land” (Terra Sancta”), after the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (272-337 A.D) made Christianity the official religion of the empire.

This was after hundreds of years in which Christian believers were persecuted throughout the empire, when their worship was permitted and the entire empire converted to Christianity, a process that begun in the 4th Century A.D.

One of the most significant features of the Byzantine period was the incarnation of the Christian religion throughout the Holy Land, among other things by the establishment of many churches in memory of important events in the life of the Jesus Christ. Moreover, the material Culture of the Byzantine period was also influenced by the historical-cultural changes that occurred: the pottery of the period is characterized by a simple design, which may be seen as evidence of the spirit of the period when the Christian faith became established in the Holy Land.

But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.
(Isaiah 64:8)

This set of clay vessels contains an oil lamp and a pitcher which are dated to the 4th-7th centuries AD. Both the lamp and the pitcher were made using the same technique of fast wheel- made work. It should be noted that while in the earlier period (The Roman period) most oil lamps were made using casting molds, this lamp typical of the Byzantine period was made using wheel made.

The oil lamp shown in this set began to appear in the middle of the Byzantine period (probably in the 5th Century A.D) , and continued to be in use during the early Islamic period as well (the 7th Century A.D). Many lamps such as this have been found in Jerusalem and its environment, and also in the Byzantine cities of the Negev (such as in Shivta, Nitzana and other important sites).

As for the pottery jar, it was common throughout the period and was found at many sites in the Holy Land. Like the clay lamp, it was also made by using wheels that left their mark in the form of horizontal lines on the surface of the clay.

While the oil lamp was intended to illuminate the house, the pottery pitcher was part of the kitchen utensil assembly, and contained liquids that where in used in the Byzantine period.

The two vessels in the set are a fine example of the vessels that were in a daily use by Christian believers in the Holy Land, during an important period in which Christianity became the official and legal religion of the Roman Empire.

Comes with a certificate of authenticity and all required documents for export.

Shipped direct from the Holy Land.

Zak’s Antiquities is the website of Zak’ s fine art and antiquities. Located on the Christian Quarter road in Jerusalem’s Old City. The shop began in 1964 and has remained as a family owned and operated business till this day. For the past 50 years Zak’s Antiquities has sold ancient coins, antiquities and art authentic to Israel and Jerusalem.