{"product_id":"ancient-middle-eastern-lugged-stone-vessel-1st-millennium-bc","title":"Ancient Middle Eastern White Stone Lugged Vessel | Circa 1st Millennium B.C.","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ancient Middle East\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carved white stone\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Circa 1st millennium B.C.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThis ancient white stone vessel is a compact, heavily weathered example of carved stone container production from the ancient Middle East, dating to approximately the 1st millennium B.C. The vessel retains a distinctive low, broad form with a substantial flat rim and two opposing lug projections.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nCarved from a pale cream-white stone, the vessel features a deeply hollowed central cavity surrounded by a thick, rounded rim. On opposing sides are integral lugs formed directly from the stone body, elements that may originally have assisted with handling, suspension, securing a covering, or attachment depending upon the vessel's original context.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe exterior has undergone extensive natural weathering, leaving an irregular and highly textured surface with cream, ochre, tan, and brown mineral deposits. The contrast between the relatively smoother interior cavity and heavily eroded exterior provides a particularly strong sense of the object's considerable age.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nStone containers were valued throughout the ancient Near East because their production required considerably more labour than ordinary ceramic vessels. Depending upon context, such vessels could serve domestic, storage, cosmetic, ritual, funerary, or votive purposes.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e- Ancient carved white stone vessel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Broad, low-profile body\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Wide flat rim surrounding a deeply hollowed interior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Two opposing integral lug projections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Extensive mineral and surface deposits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Strongly weathered and eroded exterior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Substantial hand-carved construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nStone vessels represent an important category of ancient material culture across the Near East. Unlike pottery, which could be formed comparatively quickly from clay, stone containers required prolonged cutting, hollowing, grinding, and finishing.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe substantial rim and opposing lug configuration distinguish this example from simple bowls and jars, suggesting that its form was deliberately adapted for a particular method of handling, securing, or use. Its surviving surface deposits and pronounced weathering preserve evidence of its archaeological age and history.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nAncient condition with extensive age-related surface erosion, mineral deposits, encrustation, discoloration, abrasions, pitting, and losses throughout. The two opposing lug areas survive but display considerable weathering and erosion. Minor irregularities and losses are visible around the rim and exterior.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nHeight: 2.5 in\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter: 4.5 in\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n2,000–3,000 years old\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nFormerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, a noted New York numismatist and collector with a particular interest in Armenian coinage and ancient material. Guevrekian assembled an extensive collection over several decades, a significant portion of which was publicly offered as \u003cem\u003eThe Jack Guevrekian Collection\u003c\/em\u003e by the Numismatic \u0026amp; Antiquarian Service Corporation of America in New York in 1977.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nSubsequently held in a private New York City collection and later handled by Artemis Fine Arts in 2026. Artemis Fine Arts is a specialist dealer in ancient art and antiquities, handling archaeological material and historical objects for the international collectors’ market.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nLastly acquired by a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLearn about a related Achaemenid calcite vessel preserved by the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.britishmuseum.org\/collection\/object\/W_1853-1219-6\" title=\"Achaemenid Calcite Vessel from Susa – British Museum\"\u003eBritish Museum\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/ceramics-pottery-ancient-heritage-art\" title=\"Ceramics and Pottery: Ancient Heritage Art – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCeramics \u0026amp; Pottery: Ancient Heritage Art Collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55906289942850,"sku":null,"price":700.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_-_2026-08-22T193932.754.png?v=1787456379","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/ancient-middle-eastern-lugged-stone-vessel-1st-millennium-bc","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}