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LOT 1302
Amorite Terracotta Bull
LATE 3RD-EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
3 1/4 in. (60 grams, 83 mm).
Modelled in the round, with humped shoulder and downturned horns.
ProvenancePrivate collection Mr S.A., acquired in 1991.
Thence by descent.
The figurine was modelled simplistically and only the presence of a hump and horns makes it possible to identify the animal as a zebu, which was common in the prehistoric Mesopotamian world. Similar figurines, which reproduced animals and humans, are typical of Amorite art, named after a group of semi-nomadic populations who lived in the north-western part of the Near East in the 3rd and 2nd millennium B.C. From the 20th century B.C., the incursions and armed pressure that the Amorites exerted on the kingdom of Ur overthrew the existing dynasties and created several kingdoms throughout Mesopotamia whose dynasties retained a strong attachment to their original culture.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Western Asiatic Stone Weight Collection
Circa 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Comprising: two baguette-shaped stone bars, a D-section scaphoid haematite bar, a columnar stone bar with rounded ends, one pierced for suspension. 184 grams total, 4-10.3 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
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Early Dynastic Cylinder Seal with Worshipping Parade
Circa 2550-2350 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Haematite cylinder seal featuring two horizontal registers with worshipping parades comprising long-robed male priests wearing ankle-length garments, seated on the stool-shaped throne, elegantly raising their left hands to hold a cup; other male priests in long garments either holding a vessel containing holy water or oil, or standing in a solemn gesture with hands raised or clasped in front of their chests. 5.26 grams, 32 mm
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex West London family collection. Property of a Bristol, UK, gentleman.
Iconographies and religious scenes seen on Early Dynastic seals are renowned for the further elaborations that depict contesting scenes, usually portraying nude heroes confronting bull-men or rampant, roaring lions. However, animals and heroes were not employed as the favourite motifs during the last part of the Early Dynastic period. Increased popularity of funerary art and banquets were richly practised in Ur, given an ample amount of royal cylinder seals that bear banquet or seated-king related scenes. On Early Dynastic cylinder seals, the image of a seated male figure holding a cup cannot always be interpreted with an extender divinity. It might have suggested a ruler's identity within a royal banquet scene. However, on this seal, the holy vessel and the representations of male worshippers indicate a clear religious significance. Within the traditional Mesopotamian religion, secular kings would have obtained divine power if they had engaged with the goddess Inanna during a sacred marriage. The cup, containing holy ointment or oil, held in the king's hand, might have been as an emblem to signify the elevated rank of a deified king. It might also have been used as an alternative religious practice, connecting the secular authority and the divine power during the Early Dynastic period. -
Parthian Alabaster Head of Ishtar
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Modelled in the round with luxuriant flowing hair, large lentoid eyes with inlaid black irises, small slit mouth; some encrustation; mounted on a custom-made stand. 523 grams total, 13 cm high including stand
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
