{"product_id":"ancient-carved-stone-amulet-flask-with-double-sided-motifs-circa-1st-millennium","title":"Ancient Carved | Stone Amulet Flask with Double-Sided Motifs | Circa 1st millennium BC – early 1st millennium AD","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"556\" data-start=\"524\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"786\" data-start=\"558\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"569\" data-start=\"558\"\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ancient Near East \/ Eastern Mediterranean\u003cbr data-end=\"614\" data-start=\"611\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"627\" data-start=\"614\"\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carved stone (likely limestone or calcite) with earthen patina\u003cbr data-end=\"693\" data-start=\"690\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"704\" data-start=\"693\"\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Circa 1st millennium BC – early 1st millennium AD (likely Hellenistic–Roman era)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"809\" data-start=\"793\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1187\" data-start=\"811\"\u003eA rare carved stone amulet-flask with a squared, slightly tapering body and short, raised neck drilled through for use. Each flat face is framed by a shallow incised border and decorated in low relief: one side shows a stylized quadruped\/animal in motion, while the opposite side bears a more abstract, linear design that may represent symbolic or decorative motifs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1521\" data-start=\"1189\"\u003eThe surface exhibits a warm, chalky patina with mineral deposits and encrustation from long burial, giving the piece a beautifully ancient character. The bore through the neck suggests the flask once held a small quantity of oil, pigment, or other precious substance, and it may also have been worn or carried as a protective charm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1541\" data-start=\"1528\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1614\" data-start=\"1545\"\u003e- Ancient carved stone amulet-flask with functioning drilled neck\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1729\" data-start=\"1617\"\u003e- Double-sided decoration: one face with an incised animal figure, the other with abstract \/ symbolic motifs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1812\" data-start=\"1732\"\u003e- Framed panel compositions on both sides enhancing the amuletic “tablet” effect\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1898\" data-start=\"1815\"\u003e- Attractive earthen patina and mineral deposits consistent with age and burial\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1987\" data-start=\"1961\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2432\" data-start=\"1989\"\u003eSmall stone flasks and amulets such as this were prized personal objects across the ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean. They could function simultaneously as containers for perfumed oils or pigments and as protective charms, the carved imagery believed to offer blessing, protection, or identity to the owner. Double-sided examples with figural designs are particularly desirable for their display value and narrative quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2453\" data-start=\"2439\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2671\" data-start=\"2455\"\u003eGood ancient condition with expected age wear, surface softening to the carvings, minor edge nicks, and encrustations consistent with long burial. The neck remains intact and open. No modern repairs observed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2693\" data-start=\"2678\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2693\" data-start=\"2678\"\u003eHeight: 1.75 in\u003cbr data-end=\"121\" data-start=\"118\"\u003eWidth: 1.5 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2693\" data-start=\"2678\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"80\" data-end=\"87\"\u003eAge \u003cstrong\u003e(Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2693\" data-start=\"2678\"\u003e1,600–3,000 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore ancient votive objects and personal amulets through \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thevotivesproject.org\/2020\/06\/12\/memories-for-life\/\" title=\"Memories for Life – Ancient Votive Objects \u0026amp; Personal Amulets\"\u003eThe Votives Project\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover our curated \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/roman-greek-artifacts-ancient-relics\" title=\"Relic \u0026amp; Rarity Roman \u0026amp; Greek Artifacts Collection\"\u003eRoman \u0026amp; Greek Artifacts – Ancient Relics Collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic and Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51736315920706,"sku":null,"price":500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Ancient_carved_stone_amulet_flask.png?v=1766850547","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/ancient-carved-stone-amulet-flask-with-double-sided-motifs-circa-1st-millennium","provider":"Relic and Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}