Archéologie & Antiquiities

© Henri Granjean - Collectif item / Inrap PARIS - Une équipe d’archéologues de l’Inrap fouille, sur prescription de l’État (Drac Rhône-Alpes), un site du Paléolithique moyen à Quincieux, à l’occasion des travaux de l’A466. Après avis de la commission interrégionale de la recherche archéologique, et dans le cadre d’une procédure de « découverte exceptionnelle », le préfet a prolongé la durée d’intervention de cette fouille d’un hectare.  Une séquence stratigraphique exceptionnelle Ce site préhistorique est... [Lire la suite]

Nose and lips of Akhenaten. Indurated limestone, 8.1 x 5.1 x 4.5 cm, about 1345-1335 B.C. © Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. OXFORD.- Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter’s excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922 was one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The name of the ‘boy king’ is now synonymous with the glories of ancient Egypt and the spectacular contents of his tomb continue to enthral the public and scholars alike. The Ashmolean’s summer exhibition displays objects from ancient... [Lire la suite]

Blue Splashware Cup. Unknown, Roman, A.D. 1–100. Free-Blown Glass, 4 13/16 in. high x 5 11/16 in. diam. 2003.290. The J. Paul Getty Trust © J. Paul Getty Trust. In the environs of Jerusalem, in about 50 B.C., glassmakers discovered they could inflate glass into a bubble at the end of a tube. This new glassblowing technique allowed glassmakers to produce vessels so quickly and cheaply that glass containers began to replace clay ones for household use. Blown-glass vessels were decorated using a variety of techniques—pinching,... [Lire la suite]

Lotus Bud Beaker. Unknown. Roman, Eastern Mediterranean, 1st century A.D. Mold-blown glass, 8 3/8 in. 2003.320. The J. Paul Getty Trust © J. Paul Getty Trust. In about 25 B.C. glassmakers began to create decorative vessels, such as this cup, by blowing glass into a mold with incised designs. Mold fragments of stone, clay, bronze, and plaster have survived from antiquity. The earliest makers of molds for glassware may have been ceramists familiar with constructing molds for clay vessels. Mold designs often incorporated decorative... [Lire la suite]

Amber Bowl with White Ridges. Unknown, Roman, A.D. 1–100. Glass, 4 1/16 in. diam. 2003.475. The J. Paul Getty Trust © J. Paul Getty Trust. Casting is a technique of pouring hot glass into a mold. After the glass cools, glassmakers use various grinding and cutting techniques to refine the vessel's form and decoration. Decorative patterns are sometimes cut into the sides with a cutting wheel. Bowls were the most common cast vessels. Pendants, inlays, and other small objects were also created using this technique. This bowl has two... [Lire la suite]

Bowl with Blue and White Canes. Unknown. Greek or Roman, 100–1 B.C. Glass, 2 1/16 in. high x 4 in. diam. 2004.24. The J. Paul Getty Trust © J. Paul Getty Trust. Mosaic glass vessels are among the most colorful ancient containers. They were formed by fusing numerous slices or ribbons (lengths) of cane in molds until they melted together into a swirl of colors, as seen on this blue and white bowl.Multicolored canes and figural compositions for plaques and beads were made by layering different colors and manipulating them into... [Lire la suite]

Roman emperor Claudius was born on this day in 10 BC. This bronze head was found in Suffolk

Porphyry vessel with bearded masks. Roman, Early Imperial, 1st‒early 2nd century A.D. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, Acquisitions Fund, The Jaharis Family Foundation Inc. Gift, Philippe de Montebello Fund, Philodoroi and Renée E. and Robert A. Belfer Gifts, The Bothmer Purchase Fund, and Mr. and Mrs. John A. Moran, Nicholas S. Zoullas, Patricia and Marietta Fried, Jeannette and Jonathan Rosen, Aso O. Tavitian, Leon Levy Foundation, and Barbara and Donald Tober Gifts, 2014 (2014.215). Image: © The Metropolitan Museum of... [Lire la suite]

Romano-British, 4Th-5th century, Finger ring. Photo Sotheby's with an old paper label inscribed in ink with a description of the ring and its provenance by Sir William Tite's great nephew, dated: Feb. 26. 1918, gold, emeralds, sapphires and garnets, shank interior: 16mm., 11/16 in., ring size: K. Estimation 3,000 — 5,000 GBP - Lot. Vendu 12,500 GBP. Provenance: Discovered during excavations for the Royal Exchange, London, circa 1850;Sir William Tite MP FSA (1798-1873);and thence by descent Exposition: London, The Archaeological... [Lire la suite]

A sardonyx cameo of a lady. Photo: Bonhams.  LONDON.- “The Ceres Collection”: an important collection of 101 engraved cameo* and intaglio** rings that range in date from as early as the 4th Century BC will be offered for sale at Bonhams, New Bond Street, in the Fine Jewellery sale on 17th September. The Collection as a whole is worth an estimated £100,000 and is to be sold without reserve. The Ceres Collection was assembled by an American family over a period of 60 years, from the 1930s-90s. The collection provides a lesson... [Lire la suite]