Symbolism in the Samaria ivories and architecture

Situated at the crossroads of great nations, the Land of Israel was exposed to numerous external influences. Samaria, the capital city of Northern Israel, was also situated on a major trade route. Various expeditions uncovered approximately 500 pieces of carved ivory in the palace complex at Samari...

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Main Author: D. N. Pienaar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of the Free State 2008-12-01
Series:Acta Theologica
Online Access:https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2207
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author D. N. Pienaar
author_facet D. N. Pienaar
author_sort D. N. Pienaar
collection DOAJ
description Situated at the crossroads of great nations, the Land of Israel was exposed to numerous external influences. Samaria, the capital city of Northern Israel, was also situated on a major trade route. Various expeditions uncovered approximately 500 pieces of carved ivory in the palace complex at Samaria. According to the motifs carved in them, these pieces can be divided into two main groups. The first group is categorised by the Harpocrates medallion. The Hah and Isis and Nephtys plaques are also relevant in this case. The second group consists mainly of the so-called Woman at the Window, the Winged Sphinx, Winged Figures in Human Form, Horus and Ma’at, the Lion and Bull Plaques, as well as the Tree of Life Motif in ivory. The latter is also represented in the Proto-Ionic capitals uncovered at many different sites, including Samaria. This article discusses the different cultural influences and motifs, and explains their presence.
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spelling doaj-art-b01ba33734a1487d99b1289c1bca7f5d2025-02-11T10:07:02ZengUniversity of the Free StateActa Theologica1015-87582309-90892008-12-0128210.38140/at.v28i2.2207Symbolism in the Samaria ivories and architectureD. N. Pienaar0University of the Free State Situated at the crossroads of great nations, the Land of Israel was exposed to numerous external influences. Samaria, the capital city of Northern Israel, was also situated on a major trade route. Various expeditions uncovered approximately 500 pieces of carved ivory in the palace complex at Samaria. According to the motifs carved in them, these pieces can be divided into two main groups. The first group is categorised by the Harpocrates medallion. The Hah and Isis and Nephtys plaques are also relevant in this case. The second group consists mainly of the so-called Woman at the Window, the Winged Sphinx, Winged Figures in Human Form, Horus and Ma’at, the Lion and Bull Plaques, as well as the Tree of Life Motif in ivory. The latter is also represented in the Proto-Ionic capitals uncovered at many different sites, including Samaria. This article discusses the different cultural influences and motifs, and explains their presence. https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2207
spellingShingle D. N. Pienaar
Symbolism in the Samaria ivories and architecture
Acta Theologica
title Symbolism in the Samaria ivories and architecture
title_full Symbolism in the Samaria ivories and architecture
title_fullStr Symbolism in the Samaria ivories and architecture
title_full_unstemmed Symbolism in the Samaria ivories and architecture
title_short Symbolism in the Samaria ivories and architecture
title_sort symbolism in the samaria ivories and architecture
url https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2207
work_keys_str_mv AT dnpienaar symbolisminthesamariaivoriesandarchitecture