Old Babylonian Tall Copper Statuette of a Priest

CIRCA 1894-1595 B.C.

8 1/8 in. (540 grams total, 20.5 cm including stand).

Modelled in the round standing figure wearing a floor-length robe; the head surmounted by a pillbox hat with thick shoulder-length hair to the rear, prominent triangular nose flanked by incised lentoid eyes, thick lips and a strong segmented bead; the arms bent forwards at the elbow to support a dish or patera; ellipsoid-section body and D-shaped flange for the feet; small lug to the underside; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Provenance

Moussaieff collection, Israel, formed from 1948.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13287-251143.

Literature

Cf. Aruz, J., Art of the First Cities. The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus, New York, 2003, item 11(b) for type, 24(a); Harper et al., The Royal City of Susa: Ancient Near Eastern Treasures in the Louvre, New York, 1992, items 89,90.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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Extremely Rare

LOT 0275