Interesting viewing: Ancient Treasures form Elam

Elam was an ancient kingdom of Asia, situated north of the Persian Gulf and east of the  Tigris River, and corresponding approximately to the present-day province of Khuzistan in Iran.  The capital of Elam and its most fabled city was Susa, today the city of Shush. This powerful  empire has been overshadowed in history by the rival kingdoms of Babylon and Assyria.  However, the Elamite Empire deserves to be placed in a list of the world’s most important  and influential ancient cultures. Archaeological signatures for the area exist as far back  as the sixth millennium B.C. The empire itself was founded in around 3200 B.C.,  and it lasted – in various guises – almost continuously until the mid first millennium  B.C.; much of its history is also documented using the world’s earliest deciphered  alphabet, which makes it of extraordinary value to historians and archaeologists.     The Barakat Gallery is proud to hold an extensive  collection of Elamite masterworks, many of which  can be viewed below or by clicking HERE     FEATURED WORKS

Bronze Sword Stone Double-Headed Ram Bronze Staff Finial Surmounted by a Bull

Bronze Roundel with Zoomorphic Motifs Bronze Plaque with Inscribed Face  An Exquisite Silver Vessel

Bronze Handle Alabaster Anthropomorhic Figurine Bronze Bull Vessel

Current Bi-Weekly Auction: Begins Wednesday February 5th   Our February auction is our first ancient Numismatics auction with all 12 lots consisting of coins from across the ancient world.  Standouts include a superb Roman Gold Aureus of Emperor Hadrian, an exceptional Macedonian Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, and a very fine Kushan Gold Dinar of Emperor Vasudeva III amongst many other selections.   Click on the image to the left to view the lots.

CONNECT WITH BARAKAT GALLERY

Barakat Gallery London: 58 Brook Street, Mayfair, London +442074937778 Beverly Hills: 421 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California +14242395840 Seoul: 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, South Korea +821034973413 West Hollywood: 941 N La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90069 +13108598408 Hong Kong: 68 C Hollywood Road Kelford Mansion. Sheung Wan.Tel.00852-26382005 21 Wong Chuk Hang Road Global Trade Square 1901Wong Chuk Hang-Aberdeen Tel.00852-26382191 #ancientelam#fineartmagazine#intresting

In the mood for Ancient art and artifacts see the Barakat Gallery's selection.

A Sui Serpentine Marble Head of a Bodhisattva 581 AD to 618 AD China This is a very rare green serpentine marble head of a Bodhisattva. The deity is  depicted wearing a huge crown, which still shows traces of red and yellowish paint.  Although the torso of the sculpture is missing we can postulate that it is originally in  standing form, derived from its facial expression and downcast eyes.   The extensively decorated crown depicts three Buddhas and five halos, possibly  indicating the temporal and spatial tri-Buddhas, positioning the present Buddha  Shakyamuni (Vairocana) at the centre. Hints of red suggests previous gilding of  ferrous mineral paint. It is a showcase of splendid craftsmanship, which achieves  a sense of three-dimensional perspective through intelligent carving, emphasizing  the differences between background and foreground.   For more information please click the image above.  To see additional artifacts from the Sui Dynasty please click HERE  Iron Age Vessel Lega Wooden Mask Athenian Silver Tetradrachm CONNECT WITH BARAKAT GALLERY Barakat Gallery London: 58 Brook Street, Mayfair, London +442074937778 Seoul: 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, South Korea +821034973413 West Hollywood: 941 N La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90069 +13108598408 Hong Kong: 68 C Hollywood Road Kelford Mansion. Sheung Wan.Tel.00852-26382005 21 Wong Chuk Hang Road Global Trade Square 1901Wong Chuk Hang-Aberdeen Tel.00852-26382191 #fineartmagazine

Barakat Gallery, A Gandharan Bubba head

A Gandharan Stucco Buddha Head 100 AD to 300 AD Between c.100-400 A.D. Gandharan sculptors working in schist, terracotta and stucco produced  an astonishing number and variety of Buddhist images. Gandhara was situated at the crossroads  between east and west and thus came under a wide variety of artistic influences including Persian,   Greek and Indian. It also became an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from across Asia  as it was claimed that events from the Buddha's former lives had occurred in the area. This stucco head displays the Gandharan tendency to combine realism around the nose, mouth  and cheek areas with deeply cut stylised eyes. Small traces of the original polychromy survive,  for example remains of a red pigment in the earlobes and around the hair-line. Traces of black  are also apparent in the curls of the hair. The hair is arranged in a top-knot. This was the  Gandharan version of the ushnisha, a mound on the head which symbolised the Buddha's  spiritual wisdom. Traces of an urna, or third eye, are also just visible on the forehead, outlined  in red. The bottom of both earlobes has been lost but it is still possible to make out their elongated  form. This was a reference to the Buddha's former wealth, symbolised by the effect of wearing  heavy earrings. Despite small areas of loss, the serenity of the expression, partly created  through the downcast eyes, has been preserved.  This is beautiful example available at an  exceptional price. To see additional information and pricing on this item as well as other select  Gandharan pieces in the collection please click HERE Barakat Gallery London: 58 Brook Street, Mayfair, London +442074937778  Beverly Hills: 421 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California +14242395840 Seoul: 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, South Korea +821034973413 West Hollywood: 941 N La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90069 +13108598408 Hong Kong: 68 C Hollywood Road Kelford Mansion. Sheung Wan.Tel.00852-26382005 21 Wong Chuk Hang Road Global Trade Square 1901Wong Chuk Hang-Aberdeen Tel.00852-26382191 CONNECT WITH US:

The Barakat Gallery, 421 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 #fineartmagazine

I always like the Barakat Gallery Images: see belwo for fun

An Exceptional Senufo Wooden Pombilele Rhythm Pounder 20th Century AD "Pombilele" literally translates as "those who give birth", and traditionally constitute a pair of figures (one male, one female) who represent primordial humanity and the ancestry of all humankind. Most examples, however, are of single, female figures. The appearance of these figures is relatively homogenous, being tall, slim and somewhat angular. However, the personal characteristics of each sculpture were often based upon a dream or vision by a Poro elder. There is also some social and geographic variability. The figures were used as pounding devices (holding each arm) to keep the rhythm for dancing, or were stood for purposes of contemplation in the middle of the Poro society's sacred enclosures. This elegant piece is one of the most exceptional pombilele sculptures we have seen. Made by the Senufo group of Mali, it is associated with the secret Poro society and has a sculptural quality that transcends utilitarianism. The base is a belted column with a central relief flange projecting perpendicular to the long axis of the piece. The legs are short with defined knees - unusually - and an extremely ornate and well-defined trefoil loincloth decorated with hatched and geometric patterns. The torso is elongated with a prominent abdomen, and prominent, pointed breasts. The arms are also long, the upper aspect of which are twice as long as the forearms. The neck is elongated and columnar, supporting a long head with a concave jawline extending to a pointed chin. The nose is long and curved, with forward-thrust jaw and lips. The ears are triangular and rear-pointing, and the domes head is surmounted by a four-part crest that bears a passing resemblance to a bird in flight. The sculpture is more detailed than is usual, with scarifications around the prominent navel and beside the eyes.  To view this example as well as a handful of other Senufo Masterpieces please CLICK HERE Barakat Gallery London: 58 Brook Street, Mayfair, London +442074937778  Beverly Hills: 421 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California +14242395840 Seoul: 58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, South Korea +821034973413 West Hollywood: 941 N La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90069 +13108598408 #fineartmagazine