Image Details

Museum of Anatolian Civilization, Ankara

Diminutive Ivory Box (about 4 inches by 2.8 inches) from the 18th century B.C. Originally from southern Turkey or northern Syria, it is decorated with gold, lapis lazuli and iron studs. Using iron with the traditional precious minerals indicates the esteem in which iron was held. Each square face of the box is framed by bronze studs, surrounded by gold granules. A horizontal row, across the middle of each face, contains three iron and two lapis studs. Above and below this row are carved relief panels, two per face (compare with photo of carved relief panel).