Western Asiatic Alabaster Quadruped

Modelled in the round, with humped shoulder and downturned horns. 60 grams, 83 mm



Private collection Mr S.A., acquired in 1991. Thence by descent.

The figurine was modelled simplistically and only the presence of a hump and horns makes it possible to identify the animal as a zebu, which was common in the prehistoric Mesopotamian world. Similar figurines, which reproduced animals and humans, are typical of Amorite art, named after a group of semi-nomadic populations who lived in the north-western part of the Near East in the 3rd and 2nd millennium B.C. From the 20th century B.C., the incursions and armed pressure that the Amorites exerted on the kingdom of Ur overthrew the existing dynasties and created several kingdoms throughout Mesopotamia whose dynasties retained a strong attachment to their original culture.

With slightly flared base and rim, raised horizontal ridge to the outer face. 2.93 kg, 13.5 cm



From 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.

Of hemispherical profile with everted rim, five radiating ledge handles to the shoulder. 1.64 kg, 25.5 cm wide



From an important collection of terracotta pre 1988, London and Geneva.