This gift came from Syria donated by the family of Osma Elbeck from Cary, NC.

 

Title: Foliage

 

History: Muslim Syria 634 - 1922

 

Description: This solid olive wood piece of art is hand crafted and hand painted by skilled Syrian wood craftsmen. Found in an antique shop in Syria, this piece was directly shipped from there to Cary, NC, to be presented to Town of Cary's Mayor Pro Tem, Julie Aberg Robison and Cultural Arts Manager, Lyman Collins.

 

About Syria:

 

Syria, often called as the “Cradle of Civilization”, has been a bridge connecting the cultures of Eastern Mediterranean and Fertile Crescent. It was here that cultures of Mari and Ugarit flourished, where Assyrian, Sumerian, Phoenician, Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Muslim cultures met and influenced each other. Here the secret of Agriculture and Metallurgy were discovered and this is where the very first alphabets were invented. Throughout this country, there are magnificent ancient ruins of Greeks and Roman civilizations, Medieval Castles and Fortresses, and wonderful Islamic mosques.