Loading, please wait...
LOT 1615
Stone Age Standing Goddess Idol Group
NEOLITHIC PERIOD, CIRCA 6TH-4TH MILLENNIUM B.C. OR LATER
5 7/8 - 7 1/2 in. (1.55 kg total, 15-19 cm including stand).
Comprising a pair of idols carved in the round with emphasised hips and vestigial head and limbs; each mounted on a custom-made stand. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
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.12335-224212.
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. Morris, D., The Art of Ancient Cyprus, Oxford, 1985, figs.107-108, p.119, for similar idols; also see the view of Caldwell, Duncan, ‘The Use of Animals in Birth Protection Rituals and Possible Uses of Stone Figurines from the Central Sahel’ in African Arts, UCLA, 2015 Winter issue, vol.48, no.4, Nov., pp.14-25, figs.5, letters R, Y.
FootnotesMost scholars consider these as symbols of the fertility cult and as evidence of the existence of a matriarchal society as a form of organisation of the earliest human society. The people of the Stone Age may have considered figures such as this to represent women and mothers with their life-giving powers, or as depictions of the ancestors.
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
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.
-
Stone Age Part Polished Flint Axe Head
Neolithic Period, circa 6000 B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
A well made, part polished example with beautiful colours. 116 grams, 11.6 cm
Found Ventoupe, France. From an old large French collection. Acquired on the European art market. From the private collection of an East Anglian, UK, specialist collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Stone Age Happisburgh Type Flint Handaxe
Lower Palaeolithic, circa 600,000-250,000 B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Of brown, buff and black patinated flint, the butt (Type A) fairly cortical with two 'horned' projections of the nodule, one much longer than the other, another patch of cortex remains towards the point to the dorsal face. 293 grams, 13 cm
Discovered by P Macro at Happisburgh, Norfolk, UK, between Tuesday 1st October 2019 and Saturday 30th November 2019. Ex collection of P James, South England. Acquired directly from the finder. From the private collection of an East Anglian, UK, specialist collector. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.NMS-3A3691. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The site of Happisburgh in Norfolk has helped to push the history of inhabitation of the British Isles back by 200,000 years, making it a site of special importance. -
Stone Age Solutrean Laurel Leaf Point
Upper Palaeolithic Period, circa 22,000-17,000 years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
A knapped laurel leaf-shaped point in light grey/brown flint. 38.4 grams, 77 mm
Found Dordogne Region, France. Ex Naboon collection. Acquired on the European art market. From the private collection of an East Anglian, UK, specialist collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The Solutrean industry is named after the type site of 'Solutre' in East Central France. The culture is known as the epitome of sophisticated stone tools.
