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A Rare Second Temple Period Limestone Table Fragment, Jerusalem, 1st Century BCE

$32,000

£24,415.21

€27,794.79

CA$44,976.35

A$49,439.97

CHF 25,955.75

MX$587,876.79

NOK 333,330.81

SEK 303,628.34

DKK 207,671.67

About the Item

A Rare Second Temple Period Limestone Table Fragment – Featuring Lions of Judah – Jerusalem, Circa 1st Century BCE – 1st Century CE A remarkably evocative artifact from the very heart of ancient Jewish history, this limestone table fragment dates to the Second Temple period and was discovered in Jerusalem, a city at the epicenter of Jewish spiritual and communal life. Carved from local Jerusalem limestone, this surviving piece once formed part of a rectangular table, likely used in a public or institutional setting, and stands as a rare witness to the art and symbolism of the period. What distinguishes this fragment from other contemporaneous examples is the uncommon and powerful motif of lions prominently carved into its side. While other stone table tops from this era feature geometric designs, floral motifs, or abstract patterns, this is the only known example to depict lions, a potent emblem of Judah—the biblical tribe from which Jerusalem draws both its name and symbolic strength. The lions are rendered in bold, stylized form, deeply incised into the stone surface, likely meant to project not only artistic elegance but also a symbolic assertion of power, sovereignty, and religious identity. In Jewish tradition, the lion is the symbol of Judah, from whom King David descended and whose tribal territory encompassed Jerusalem. The presence of this motif suggests a deep-rooted association between the artifact and the civic or religious leadership of the city. According to the prominent archaeologist Prof. Nachman Avigad, this table fragment may have belonged to the Jerusalem council at the time—used in a public setting, possibly for administrative, ceremonial, or communal purposes. Its craftsmanship and iconography point to an object of high status, intended for official or sacred use during the final generations of the Second Temple era. Such finds are extraordinarily rare, especially with figural decoration, given the aniconic tendencies in Jewish art of the period. This fragment thus represents not only a significant archaeological discovery but a rare glimpse into the civic-religious symbolism and aesthetic culture of Jerusalem on the eve of its destruction in 70 CE. Provenance: Excavated in Jerusalem, exact location and context documented in scholarly records. Material: Local limestone Dating: Second Temple Period, 1st century BCE–1st century CE Motif: Lions of Judah, symbolizing sovereignty, Jerusalem, and the Davidic lineage Attribution: Prof. Nachman Avigad (regarding possible function and ownership) An object of profound historical and symbolic resonance—a literal piece of Jerusalem.

Dimensions:
Height: 2.09 in (5.3 cm)Width: 7.09 in (18 cm)Depth: 5.12 in (13 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Limestone,Hand-Carved
Place of Origin:
Israel
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
1st Century BCE
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU5281244679022

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