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18thc Italian Oil on Jasper-Balaam and His Ass browse these categories for related items... All Items: Fine Art:Paintings:Oil:Europe:Italian: Pre 1800: item # 300826
El Alcazar 103 Calle San Jose San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901 Tel.787-723-1229 Fax.787-725-0248 Guest Book 1195.00 |
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| Very special item--18TH century Italian oil painted on semi-precious stone-jasper-jasper is backed with slate--7 inches by 4.75 inches-add 2 inches for antique ebony frame and thin gilt filet-pencil writing on the back in Italian-cannot read--topic of this painting seldom found--Balaam and his ass--old testament-angel appears to Balaam riding a female jackass-Angel was sent by God to intercept Balaam who was going to cast a spell on Israelites-the ass can see the angel but Balaam cannot not-ass convinces Balaam not cast the spell because it was against gods law--so to circumvent gods law, Balaam advises the enemies of Israel to entice the Israeli forces into the city-provide women. wine and feed them meat prepared fot sacrifice to a pagan god---Israelis accepted invitation as result fell into stupors-apparently 24,000 were slaughtered---remember this is the old testament-same chronicle that brings you a man living in the belly of a whale and 900 year old men--some Jews cite the story as one of the first examples of anti semitism--this is a fascinating piece art- whether based on myth or fact is your call--no condition problems-well drawn-rare item | |||||||||||
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