Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0187
Early Bronze Age Silver Idol
CIRCA 2400-2100 B.C.
1 3/4 in. (2.75 grams, 44 mm).
Axe-shaped with crescentic body and long neck, symbolising a female body, perforated through the top with embossed perimeter.
Provenance
From a private family collection formed since the early 19th century, thence by descent.
Property of a New Zealand legal professional.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12320-223722.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Literature
Cf. for similar idols but in stone and clay, Bilgi, Ö., Anthropomorphic Representations in Anatolia before the Classical Age, Istanbul, 2014, figs.743, 792, 793; for metallic idols of very similar (although not completely identical) shape see idem, fig.782, p.273; see also Hoddinott, R.F., The Thracians, London, 1981, p.37, fig.19, especially nos.1-7, in clay.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0187
Early Bronze Age Silver Idol
Estimate £1,000 - 1,400€1,160 - 1,620 (for guidance only)$1,350 - 1,890 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
-
Green Hardstone Necklace
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Graduated group of jadeite melon beads on a silk string. 383 grams, 72 cm
Acquired on the London, UK, art market, 1990-2000s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Mitanni Faience Cylinder Seal with Men and Animals
1500-1200 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £163
Cylinder with cord and bead handles; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of faience, Green, 30 x 15 mm. The designs, which is marked off by a rule above and below, consists of a stag or other such horned animal and three sideways men. The stag [is] half on its haunches, and with its head turned sideways for effect. The three men have match-stick legs, but better-formed bodies and effective heads. The seal is in very good condition. This is a Mitanni common-style seal, c. 1500-1200 B.C., and may have come from a wide area of the Near East, from Palestine, Syria, southern Anatolia or Northern Meesopotamia [sic]'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 8.32 grams total, 8.1-30 mm
UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in August 1990. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Sumerian Terracotta Bulla Envelope with Impressed Decoration
Uruk Period, 5500-3100 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820
Spherical and hollow-formed with moulded animal and other ornament to the outer face; clay tokens inside. 74 grams, 55 mm
Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1988. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. Accompanied by a copy of a previous two page illustrated cataloguing note. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.