Firstly, to define how we use the terms 'objects' and 'artifacts' here at Art of Persepolis Inc. will help you to find exactly what you are looking for. We have generalized this term 'object' as much as possible to allow us the freedom to include our many beautiful and diverse pieces. 'Artifacts' would be objects that are at least 1000 years old. The Antique Objects on this site are primarily all things 3 dimensional, like bowls, statues or rings; but, you will also find some 2 dimensional objects like paintings. To define further, they are all things that are not textiles, tapestries or carpets. We may also list Antique Costumes on this page in the site from time to time, but most likely any 'Textiles' would be featured in our Gallery Page. In short, you will find many different things here, antique and ancient as well as rare and beautiful.
Items that we have chosen to list on this page are some of our most interesting pieces. We've made sure to cover a diverse range of cultures and provide as many different kinds of objects possible. One of our goals is to bridge the gap between ancient cultures and our own, and see how similar we are and what things we use everyday that have been around for thousands of years. We find that owning and collecting these kinds of items is one of the most rewarding things a person of today can do. We hope you also enjoy viewing these items, and would invite you to inquire further about anything you see here, or to ask about what other objects and artifacts we have in our inventory that you may be in the process of collecting.
Included here we have two Pre-Colombian figure bowls, perhaps used for feeding children; we have very interesting antique combs from 16th Century India and 18th Century Persia; we have two rings available, one is a kufic ring bearing an inscription from the Holy Koran, and the other is of the very finest craftsmanship we've ever had the privilege of seeing. Two faces, one of a King and the other of a Queen are intricately carved into glass, which quite honestly, is an incredible feat. This ring is a rare masterpiece of exquisite work, enjoyed exclusively by a mighty king and queen.
The objects appearing on the continued menu are some of our favorites. The first thumbnail in the upper left part of the list will bring you to a page of 20 small objects. Most of the pieces are between 2 and 8 centimeters and are well over 1000 years old. Many of them are stamps or seals which were used to imprint the writer's seal onto the wax on the back of a letter or document. Some of the work on stones and rocks is very intricate. Some of the small rocks have inscriptions from the Holy Koran written in them. You can imagine the work and craftsmanship that goes into inscribing long text onto a tiny rock that is barely 3 centimeters. Next to these pieces you will find a 17th Century Indian Moghul Sword handle. The design on the handle is the face of an elephant with beautiful lotus flowers decorated into it. This handle was probably part of a sword that was used in ceremonies and not in battles. Next, there are two 18th Century oil lamp bases, represented by only one thumbnail because of the similarity. The only difference between the two are the small portraits that are hand painted onto the tops of each lamp bases. One of them is Naser Al-Din Shah. Next to this you will find a flower vase, better known as the Lover's hand vase.
Other items on this page include the Persian Kaliuns which are known in other cultures as hookas. Tobacco was added to the top part of the Kaliun, and hot coals followed it in. Then a long tube was attached to the side of the kaliun where the smoker inhaled from. The work on these pieces is quite charming. One has beautiful beaded work covering the entire metal piece on the top, while the other has a design placed into the metal using the same kind of beads. Underneath the pair of kaliuns you will find two of the smallest Korans ever made. They measure 4 by 1 and a half centimeters and hold the complete book. They were printed in the early 19th Century and were mostly used for necklace charms. Both of these tiny books have a metal ring attached with thread where they once hung from a chain.
Finally our last two and very special objects on this page are from 12th Century Persia. One is a lovely small jar glazed with luster in an unusual mint green color. The other is a Persian tile dating back to an old Mosque somewhere in the 12th Century A.D. We hope you enjoy all of our items on this page as well and please feel free to email us with any inquiries you may have!
Please feel free to email us about any of the objects you see here. We would be happy to provide more information for you.
