Ancient Near East, Syria, ca. 3rd to 2nd century BCE. A beautiful, solid limestone altar with a recessed top for placing incense and a high relief seated griffin on the front. The altar has a tapered body that stands on four high, triangular legs. Altars like this one are mentioned in the Bible, like the one built by Noah after the flood, and three built by Abraham related to his wanderings within Canaan. Size: 4" L x 4" W x 4" H (10.2 cm x 10.2 cm x 10.2 cm)

Civilization in ancient Syria centered on the city of Ebla (founded in 3000 BC), where this altar was most likely made and used. Between 2500 BCE and 2400 BCE the city controlled a Semitic kingdom who practiced rituals like those described in the Old Testament. The Eblan civilization was likely conquered by Sargon of Akkad around 2260 BCE; the city was restored as the nation of the Amorites a few centuries later and flourished through the early second millennium BCE until it was conquered by the Hittites. During the second millennium BCE, Syria was occupied successively by Canaanites, Phoenicians, and Arameans as part of the general disruptions associated with the Sea Peoples; the Phoenicians settled along the coastline of these area as well as in the west (Now Lebanon & The current Syrian coast), in the area already known for its cedars. Egyptians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Hittites variously occupied the strategic ground of Syria during this period, as it was situated between their various empires.

Provenance: private Florida, USA collection; ex-Charles Ede, London, United Kingdom; ex-estate of George Halpern, New York, USA; ex-Sotheby's, December 17, 1998, Lot 437

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#134026

Small chips from surface, especially around rim. Otherwise in beautiful condition, with a nice worn surface and excellent preservation of the form of the griffin.