Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0235

Proto-Sumerian Alabaster Vessel

CIRCA 3000 B.C.

4 5/8 in. (1.02 kg, 11.7 cm wide).

Jar with slightly tapering cylindrical sidewall, flared rim to the mouth; incised hatched band to the shoulder and four pierced lugs.

Provenance

with Gwain McKinley, London, 1980s.
Acquired from the above, 1993.
Private European collection, thence by family descent.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12125-218132.

Literature

Cf. similar in the British Museum under accession no.1882,0918,A.27.

CONDITION

VETTING:

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 0235

Proto-Sumerian Alabaster Vessel

Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,510

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Urartian Bronze Recumbent Bull
    Urartian Bronze Recumbent Bull
    8th-7th century B.C.

    Estimate: £3,500 - 4,500 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £1,000

    Hollow-formed figure of a bull resting with its legs folded beneath its body, head turned; on a stepped rectangular base. 485 grams, 11.4 cm



    Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), thence by descent. Ex Galerie Dominique Thirion, Brussels, Belgium. Private collection of Mr K.A. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12411-225769.

    Lot Details

  • Sumerian Limestone Bull Head Protome
    Sumerian Limestone Bull Head Protome
    3rd millennium B.C.

    Estimate: £40,000 - 60,000 (‡+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £20,000

    With large eyes, the pupils inlaid in black chlorite, bone insert for the sclerae, three arching grooved brows, the wide muzzle with a horizontal incision between the nostrils, closed mouth; sockets to the sides of the head to accept separately made horns and ears; the edge of the neck contoured for attachment; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.24 kg total, 14.5 cm high including stand



    Private European collection, 1985. with Christie’s, New York, 3 June 2009, no.35. Private collection, Europe. 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.12358-226703.

    In Sumerian mythology, the bull was associated with the storm and rain god Hadad (Iškur), and is widely represented on artworks (Woolley, 1961, pp.46, 52; Kramer, 1979, figs.17, 18, 22). The round inlaid eyes are typical of Sumerian art of Early Dynastic Period, as well as the three eyebrows.

    Lot Details

  • Bactrian Calcite-Alabaster Bust
    Bactrian Calcite-Alabaster Bust
    3rd-2nd millennium B.C.

    Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £400

    Columnar in form with stub arms, gusseted neck and rim of the cap, incised irregular ovoid eyes with drilled pupils, reserved ears, circumferential bilinear band to the brow, arms pierced; integral base absent; probably an idol; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.29 kg, 17.7 cm (1.67 kg total, 19 cm including stand)



    English private collection, 1956. Private collection, London.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list