Holy Land Iron Age Terracotta Dipper Juglet | Iron Age II Period (c. 1200–586 BCE) | $550.00
- Jan 24
- 4 min read
Originating in the ancient hill country of the Levant during the Old Testament era, this intact pottery vessel provides a direct link to the domestic life of the biblical Holy Land. Manufactured during the Iron Age II period (c. 1200–586 BCE), this wheel-thrown container dates to the era of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Formed from a gritty, iron-rich clay, the vessel features an elongated body terminating in a gently rounded base, paired with a narrow neck and a sturdy vertical loop handle. Centuries spent buried deep within ancient biblical tells have left the surface heavily textured, cloaking the earth-toned ceramic in a dense layer of uncleaned burial soil and calcified mineral crusts. Sourced directly from the historic heart of the region, this exceptional piece has made its contemporary journey from a centuries-old archaeological site to the licensed showcases of the Hamedian Gallery within the Old City of Jerusalem. Iron Age II Period (c. 1200–586 BCE) | Measures 4 inches tall (10.2 cm)
Price $550.00 | Purchase Page | See all SKU: 31152
Everyday tasks in an ancient Near Eastern household relied heavily on specialized, narrow-profile vessels traditionally classified as "dipper juglets." Rather than serving as static countertop storage, these compact containers were specifically designed to be plunged into much larger, wide-mouthed storage pithoi to draw out precise quantities of fine olive oil, wine, or water. The low center of gravity and elongated silhouette minimized splashing, while the thick strap handle allowed the user to maintain a firm grip while drawing liquid from deep within a storage jar. Mass-produced across regional workshops to satisfy basic agricultural and domestic needs, these juglets were essential, everyday tools across ancient Levantine towns. The vessel’s eventual preservation intact is typically the result of a sudden city destruction layer or its inclusion within a local rock-cut tomb to hold symbolic oil provisions for the deceased.
Form & Stylistic Integrity
The structural contours illustrate a prime diagnostic example of Iron Age II pottery design, featuring a slightly swelling body and a thick vertical handle pulled directly from the rim down to the upper shoulder. The exterior walls preserve the subtle, uneven horizontal ridges left by an ancient potter manipulating raw clay on a manual kick-wheel or turntable—capturing a distinct, rustic texture that stands in sharp contrast to the precise symmetry of later Roman wares. This piece completely prioritizes thick-walled, utilitarian durability over decorative slip or handles, presenting a rugged build engineered for continuous domestic use. For the modern observer, the dense, highly irregular burial encrustations covering the vessel do more than verify its immense antiquity; they provide a rich material patina that underscores the object’s ancient passage through time.
Physical Place of Origin & Materials:
The high mineral content of the ceramic fabric points directly to a regional production kiln within the central Judean hills or the Jordan Valley. Local potters harvested native alluvial soils, tempering the damp clay with crushed limestone or fine river sand to prevent cracking during the high-heat firing process inside simple, wood-fueled pit kilns. Faint tool marks near the base indicate where the artisan sheared the wet vessel from the potter's wheel using a taut piece of twine or a flint blade. These minor asymmetric variations and raw material anomalies freeze the real, manual human labor of an ancient Near Eastern craftsman into an enduring, solid form.
Condition Report & Preservation Status:
This ancient dipper juglet is presented in a remarkable, fully intact excavated condition, displaying a rare degree of structural integrity for organic Iron Age ceramics. The primary clay body is completely solid, displaying a complete full-profile silhouette that has survived entirely free of modern fractures, structural fills, or repair lines. The vertical strap handle remains securely attached at both junctions, showing only expected micro-roughness along the rim and base edges consistent with millennia of subterranean pressure. The entire surface is covered in a highly authentic, consolidated layer of variegated burial soil and calcified mineral deposits. Left completely uncleaned to preserve its archaeological state, this vessel possesses immense curatorial character for historical display.
Provenance: This artifact is backed by a transparent, legally solid pedigree that satisfies modern standards for international antiquities collecting. It was formally acquired from the Hamedian Gallery, a long-established and legally authorized antiquities dealership operating within the historic Old City of Jerusalem, Israel. Under local regulations, licensed dealers track and document the legal transfer of cultural property within the region, ensuring that the item entered private circulation through established frameworks. This verified find-spot and retail origin anchor the small vessel to a clear chain of custody, ensuring that it was legally acquired and transferred prior to international trade restrictions. The physical presence of this documented Jerusalem provenance provides a critical layer of security for discriminating historians, certifying both its absolute antiquity and its verified commercial legitimacy.
Price $550.00 | Purchase Page | See all SKU: 31152
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