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LOT 0989
Early Bronze Age Silver Idol
CIRCA 2800-2100 B.C.
2 1/2 in. (6.87 grams, 63 mm).
With round female body and short neck, depicted armless, perforated with two parallel holes at the top for suspension; the edges and the centre embossed with dots. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom 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.12319-223722.
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.
Cf. for similar idols in marble, Bilgi, Ö., Anthropomorphic Representations in Anatolia before the Classical Age, Istanbul, 2014, figs.736-737; for metallic idols of very similar (although not completely identical) shape see idem, fig.653, p.241; see also Hoddinott, R.,F., The Thracians, London, 1981, pp.20-21, fig.8, especially nos.10, 23, 31; Zimmermann, B., ‘Anatolia and the Balkans, once again - Ring-shaped idols from Western Asia and a critical reassessment of some 'early bronze age' items from İki̇ztepe, Turkey’ in Oxford Journal of Archaeology 26 (1), pp.25-33, fig.2 no.9, for similar.
FootnotesThese idols have a broad chronological and spatial range, with late variants known from Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age burial contexts in central Europe and Western Asia. Some of these idols have round bodies, and heads in the form of tabs. They developed from the earlier stone idols, leading to the representation of the human form becoming even more stylised when crafted in silver or copper.
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
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Canaanite Bronze Bearded Warrior God Holding Mace
Early 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,420
Modelled in the round with braided headdress and hatched body, mace in the right hand and khopesh cradled in left arm. 109 grams, 12 cm
Acquired in Paris and London, 1970s. From a collection of Canaanite gods in bronze, from the collection of a London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12699-234382. 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. -
Central Asian Bronze Stamp Seal Matrix with Triskele
Circa 2100-1800 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Discoid with conical looped handle to the rear; accompanied by typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 36 x 35 x 38 mm. This has a round flat face, and a back which rises steeply to a big looped handle. the design on the face, done in raised lines, consists of three motifs beginning at the edge with inverted V-shapes then continuing with a single curling line. Two of the V-shapes have short strokes from the edge within them, and all three have further such strokes under the curls. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. It is a large example of its kind, and the loop and rim are worn, but otherwise in good condition.' 78 grams, 37 mm
Ex collection of a late London gentleman, 1990s. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. 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. -
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12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
With facetted shoulders, scaphoid bezel with three lines of Kufic text. 3.04 grams, 17.36 mm overall, 15.15 x 14.79 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. 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.
