The Private Collection of the Baidun Family Mahmoud Baidun (1920-1980) founded what would become Khader M Badiun and Sons Galleries in Jerusalem, Isreal. As a young boy, Mahmoud would accompany archeologists, biblical scholars, and visiting delegations on excavation sites all over Jerusalem and other sites within the country. Earning the trust of scholars and archeologists alike, Mahmoud became an indispensable presence and guide to other visiting scholars. When Mr. Baidun entered the antiquities trade, he would be granted trade license under the British Mandate and from the Hashemite Kingdom. When Israel authorized the trade of antiquities, Mahmoud was issued one of the first antiquities licenses issued in the country. He would later forge close relationships with other merchants; slowly building a massive private collection that would go on to sell to political leaders, international museums, and private collectors globally.
This regal ceramic statue of a dog is a reminder that
canines have been man’s best friends for millennia. The dog sits alert, waiting
dutifully and protecting his master. The aged clay has taken on a texture that
almost resembles dog fur. The carved details on the shoulders and chest of the
dog create the appearance of a dog’s musculature.
Dating from the Early Bronze Age (2700-2500 B.C.E.), measuring
20cm in height, this Mesopotamian figurine is a testament to man’s love of
dogs, an adoration that