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Details

LOT 0962

Tel Brak Type Alabaster Eye Idol

CIRCA 3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.

1 5/8 in. (33.5 grams, 43 mm).

Anthropomorphic eye idol, possibly of figurative female form, carved with a bell-shaped body, two 'breasts', remains of openwork 'eyes' above.

Provenance

Acquired 1969-1999.
London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent.

Footnotes

A classic artefact type from ancient Mesopotamia. Likely hand-carved using drills and string cutting. Eye idols were so named in the 1930s by the British archaeologist Max Mallowan. Whilst excavating a mound called Tel Brak, he discovered hundreds of anthropomorphic items of similar form, thus naming the mound 'Temple of the Eyes'.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 0962

Tel Brak Type Alabaster Eye Idol

Sold for (Inc. bp): £234

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