Antiquities
Artifacts & Artisanry 

Artifacts and documents preserve the perspective of History.  Perhaps that is why throughout history, cultures have attempted to erase the lessons and comparisons with the Past by destroying objects from the Past.  We've witnessed that in recent times with book burning by Nazi Germany and the Islamic Fundamentalist destruction of all things not connected with Islam.  Today's Cancel Culture is no different, nor was the McCarthyism in America immediately following WWII.

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More than preserving the perspective of History, objects from the Past preserve the Truth and can stand as a vital discrediting of propaganda designed to falsely shape thought and emotion.

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With only a few exceptions, our collection consists of authentic, original items.  The exceptions are one Sumerian cylinder seal, one Spartan helmet, and some of the Egyptian statues.  Regarding Ancient Egypt, those items that are not authentic ancient artifacts are artisan creations inspired by such artifacts.  Each of these functions to preserve the Past as would an original.  As Michelangelo was inspired to create some of the world's greatest sculptures by those of Archaic Greece, so have artisans been inspired by the priceless treasures that characterize Ancient Egypt.  No one demeans the works of Michelangelo by describing them as "re-creations" or "derivative".  No one demeans the works of Monet by describing Water Lilies as "duplicative" or "repetitive".  For Michelangelo, the value of his works is not diminished by the fact that his inspiration came from sculpture that was 2000 years old at that time.  For Monet, the value of his works is not diminished by the fact that his creativity from a singular inspiration resulted in multiple masterpieces.

 

Just as it is true for our ancient artifacts, each ancient-artifact-inspired creation is a true work of art, hand-crafted by a true artisan.  With Egyptian artisan works, the stone is even from the same quarries as were used in the Pharaonic eras.  These items help preserve the past and the lessons of that past.  Much as Michelangelo's masterpieces reminded us of the gifts of Democracy, Philosophy, Engineering and Literature from Archaic Greece, the works of our artisans remind us of the true societal foundation gift of Ancient Egypt: the orderly State that afforded its citizens the fruits of that order and security - fruits that included Engineering, Mathematics, Written Language, and, of course, Art.

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As noted, our collection is not limited to works of art from the past, but includes pottery, jewelry, amulets, coins and documents - all original and authentic, including an Apulian oinochoe with Christie's provenance.  All are fascinating if one allows oneself to be fascinated.  For example, there is a silver coin commemorating the defeat of the slave revolt led by Spartacus - minted at the time of his defeat - depicting a slave at the feet of a Roman soldier.   There are original newspapers written and published by Daniel Defoe with accounts of Pyrates - one even solving the mystery of a pirate whose story's end had been lost to History.  An original "The New Yorker" (published by Horace Greeley and a precursor of the Herald Tribune) reports that the Texians defeated - routed - Santa Ana and the Mexican army at the Battle of the Alamo.  These examples are but three of hundreds.  All of the collection items provide insights, as long as one's eyes are open - and sometimes the insights have led to an unplanned and unintended expansion of a part of the collection - such as the documents (maps, newspapers, etc.) concerning the origins of the State of Texas.  In that instance, conventional/popular history that Texas was fundamentally stolen from Spain/Mexico is wholly contradicted by original, authentic maps and publications that also provide a rather unflattering insight into John Quincy Adam's ethics and moral compass.