Proto-Elamite Silver Ibex Figurine

3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.

5 1/2 in. (222 grams total, 14 cm (including base)).

Modelled in the round in a resting position with its legs folded underneath the body; the head turned to the left, large curving horns, applied glass paste for the eyes; small loop to the back; repaired and mounted on a custom-made display stand.

Provenance

Ex private collection, 1960s-1970s.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Accompanied by a copy of metallurgic analytical results, written by metallurgist Dr Peter Northover (ex Department of Materials, Materials Science-Based Archaeology Group & Department of Materials, University of Oxford).
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11743-202215.

Literature

See a similar figure of a silver mountain goat, in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, inventory no. 59.14; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession number 47.100.89, for a silver pendant of the Proto-Elamite Period (also roughly circa 3100-2900 BCE).

Footnotes

Like the silver-gilt mountain goat in the Boston Museum, it is possible that this figure originally had applied gilded elements.

CONDITION

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LOT 0173