Description

Late Bronze Age Decorated Plate

After spending centuries as captives in Egypt, the Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, finally returned to the land the God had promised to their forefathers. When they arrived in the land of Canaan, they quickly discovered that the local Canaanites lived an urban lifestyle and enjoyed all the pleasures of high society. As the Israelite spies reported to Moses,

“We went into the land where you sent us. Indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey, and here is some of its fruit. However, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified.” – Numbers 13:27–28

One of the luxuries that the Canaanites enjoyed was finely made decorated pottery, such as this chocolate-on-white painted plate. Vessels imported from Cyprus were highly prized, and the skilled local potters imitated the Cypriot styles. The Israelites, on the other hand, were not skilled at pottery making. Their rough wares were strictly utilitarian. Yet, as they conquered the land of Canaan and plundered the cities of their enemies, the Israelite soldiers certainly would have enjoyed taking home such fine dishes to their wives and families.

Details:

This clay plate dates to the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1550–1200 BCE). It is made of fine yellowish clay and covered with a slip of white material. The surface is painted with brown paint. This style of decoration is known as chocolate-on-white. The interior of the plate is minimally decorated with concentric circles. The exterior features much more decoration in the form of concentric circles, including both wide and narrow bands of paint, and at the center, a geometric pinwheel design. The plate features wishbone handles, which are also painted brown.

Diameter:

Depth:

Antiquities from the land of the Bible are great investments and teaching tools. They bring the Bible to life in a tangible way, connecting the stories of the Bible with real artifacts that illuminate the text.

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

Shipped direct from Jerusalem.

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.