Sands of Time Ancient Art

Call Directions Website

Sands of Time Ancient Art Fascinating DC gallery in historic Georgetown, specializing in ancient art from 3000 BC - 500 AD FREE USA SHIPPING!

SANDS OF TIME offer genuine Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Holy Land, and Mesopotamian antiquities for sale, guaranteed authentic. Step back in time when you view our online gallery and the explore the fascinating art of the ancient world.

10/12/2026

A rare Egyptian Greywacke Bangle, Early Dynastic Period, Dynasty 1-2, ca. 3000 - 2700 BCE
Buy Now! https://sandsoftimedc.com/products/ej2605
An exceptionally fine and rare early Egyptian bangle, carved from a single piece of fine-grained, dark grey stone, probably greywacke, demonstrating the remarkable skill of Egyptian stoneworkers long before the development of more sophisticated metalworking tools. The bangle has a broad, smoothly finished inner surface and a strongly convex outer face, creating a substantial yet elegantly balanced form. Its highly polished surface accentuates the natural dark coloration of the stone and the elegant simplicity of its design.

Working with relatively rudimentary tools of flint and copper, together with abrasive sand, early Egyptian craftsmen achieved an impressive degree of precision in shaping, hollowing, and polishing hard stone. The production of such an ornament required considerable patience and technical skill, particularly in achieving the uniform curvature and smooth interior without fracturing the stone.

Stone bangles of this early date are uncommon, particularly when preserved intact. A fragmentary bangle excavated from the Early Dynastic royal tombs at Abydos, fashioned from hornblende diorite, provides a particularly close archaeological parallel in both size and form. Such comparisons illustrate the continuity of stoneworking traditions from the Predynastic into the Early Dynastic Period. Distinguished by its restrained form and exceptional preservation, this bangle is a rare surviving example of personal adornment from the formative period of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Medium: Schist

Dimensions: Diameter: 2 1/2 inches (6.3 cm)

Condition: Intact and in excellent condi...

10/11/2026

Bush Medicine Leaves Gloria Tamerre Petyarre (1942 - 2021)
Buy Now! https://sandsoftimedc.com/products/copy-of-wakirlpirri-jukurrpa-dogwood-tree-dreaming-br-liddy-napanangka-walker-1925-2017
Bush Medicine Leaves
Artist: Gloria Tamerre Petyarre (1942 - 2021)

Region: Utopia, Northern Territory, Australia
Language Group: Anmatyerre.
Medium: Acrylic on Linen
Date: 2010

Dimensions: 40 inches x 27 inches (101 x 69 cm)

This painting is one of Gloria’s trademark artistic interpretations of her well-known design, the Bush Medicine Dreaming. It features Gloria’s unique style depicting the leaves of the bush medicine plant in broad, vibrant brush strokes with well defined segments filled with curved lines, that evoke a strong rhythmic quality.

Biography

One of Australia’s most accomplished contemporary artists, Gloria Tamerre Petyarre was born in 1945. An Anmatyerre speaker, Gloria’s country is Anungara and her Dreamings are Mountain Devil Lizard (arnkerrthe), Bean (atnwerle), Emu (ankerre), Pencil Yam (arlartyeye), and Grass Seed (ntange). Petyarre’s country is the inspiration for all her art. Gloria first gained recognition as an artist working in the medium of batik, exhibiting with the Utopia Women in shows around Australia and abroad for a decade before taking up the medium of canvas. She traveled to Ireland, England, and India in 1990 as part of the Utopia – A picture story exhibition. She held her first solo exhibition in 1991. She is represented in major Australian galleries such as the National Gallery of Australia. Gloria’s work has increased in scale and precision in recent years, and she is now regarded as one of Utopia’s most significant artists. She is the niece of Emily Kngwarreye and the younger sister of Kathleen Pety...

10/11/2026

An Egyptian Faience Ritual Model Situla, Late Period, ca. 664 - 332 BCE
Buy Now! https://sandsoftimedc.com/products/ea1514
The situla was a deluxe ritual vessel that played an important role in Egyptian religious ceremonies and was intended to carry holy water for use in sacred activities. This amuletic miniature of milk-churn shape is made from bright blue/green glazed faience, has two raised handles on the rim that are pierced, while the flattened bottom and angular profile copy the metal style for the period.

Small faience models, such as this example, are quite rare.

Dimensions: Height: 7/8 inch (2.3 cm)

Condition: Minor losses to one handle and surface abrasion otherwise intact and in good condition overall.

Provenance: Private NY Collection acquired from the London trade in 1998.

10/10/2026

A Published Egyptian Alabaster Cosmetic Jar, New Kingdom, ca. 1550 - 1069 BCE
Buy Now! https://sandsoftimedc.com/products/ev2506
This elegant jar is carved from fine Egyptian alabaster with the warm honey-toned banding typical of high-quality material from New Kingdom workshops. The vessel flares gently from a narrow, slightly concave foot to a broad rim with a neatly rounded lip. Its small scale and refined silhouette are characteristic of cosmetic containers used to store unguents, scented oils, or kohl. The surface retains a soft, matte polish and shows the natural translucency prized by ancient artisans.

Published: Antiquities, Charles Ede Ltd., Catalog 130, no. 34.

Medium: Alabaster

Dimensions: Height: 2 5/8 inches (6.6 cm)

Condition: A small chip at the lip has been professionally restored. The surface shows light age wear, consistent with ancient use and burial. Otherwise, the vessel is intact and in very good condition overall.

Provenance: Thilo and lzora Steinschulte private collection, VA, acquired in 1984 from Charles Ede, Ltd., London, then by descent. Accompanied by a copy of the original dealer and collector's paperwork.

10/10/2026

An Egyptian Pyramid Seal Amulet with Anubis, Late Period, ca. 664 - 332 BCE
Buy Now! https://sandsoftimedc.com/products/ea2543
This pyramid seal amulet of pale yellow-green faience represents the stamp seals bearing its owner's name and titles. It is of the type used occasionally in the Middle Kingdom to stamp into mud sealings to authenticate documents and proved ownership. When found on mummies, this amulet is sometimes, appropriately on or at the fingers; otherwise, it merely lies over the torso. In the form of a truncated pyramid with a circular loop for attachment at the top, the square base is incised with a jackal to guarantee the survival of the deceased's name for all eternity.

Medium: Faience

Dimensions: Width: 1/2 inch (1.2 cm)

Condition: Intact and in excellent condition overall.

Provenance: Private collection of Geoffrey Metz, Egyptologist, Sweden, acquired in the 1990s.

10/10/2026

A Neo-Assyrian Agate Duck Seal, Neo-Assyrian Empire, ca. 9th-7th century BCE
Buy Now! https://sandsoftimedc.com/products/ma2601
Masterfully carved from finely banded agate, this charming stamp seal depicts a recumbent duck, its long neck gracefully folded across its back and its head tucked into its plumage, in a natural sleeping pose. The sculptor skillfully exploited the contrasting bands of the agate to enhance the bird's elegant form, while carefully incised details define the eye, elongated bill, and layered feathers. Animal-shaped stamp seals of this quality were prized throughout the Neo-Assyrian period, combining artistic refinement with practical administrative use.

The flat oval base is engraved with the image of a winged apkallu, the protective genius that appears throughout Neo-Assyrian royal art. The figure strides forward with outstretched wings, carrying a long staff and wearing a crosshatched kilt. Apkallu were supernatural guardian beings associated with wisdom, purification, and divine protection.

Frequently depicted in the reliefs of the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud and other Assyrian royal palaces, they were believed to safeguard both the king and the cosmic order. The seal has been pierced longitudinally for suspension and would have served as both a personal ornament and an administrative device for impressing ownership or authority into clay.

The seal has been elegantly mounted as a pendant on a modern 18K yellow gold chain, allowing it to be worn while fully preserving its ancient character.

Medium: Agate, mounted on a modern 18K yellow gold chain

Dimensions: Length: 5/8 inch (1.5 cm). Chain adjustable to 18 inches.

Condition: The seal is intact and in excellent co...

Address

1010 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Ste 340
Washington D.C., DC
20007

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+12023420518

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sands of Time Ancient Art posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share