Details

LOT 0316

Western Asiatic Large Seated 'Princess' Idol

LATE 3RD MILLENNIUM BC

1 1/4 - 5 1/2" (4 kg total, 30-140mm).

A three-part stone idol comprising: D-shaped steatite body with ledge to the front, V-shaped neckline, hatched pattern representing a quilted garment; limestone(?) head and neck with large almond eyes and scaphoid mouth; steatite headpiece representing the figure's hair with fabric binding. [3]

Provenance

Property of a central London gallery; acquired from a private US collection, formerly in Swiss collection since 1960s; previously with Christie’s New York, 12 June 2002, lot 313.

Literature

For a similar figure missing its turban see no.26 in von Brothmer, ed., Glories of the Past, Ancient Art from the Shelby White and Leon Levy Collection; also see Daems, A. The Iconography of Pre-Islamic Women in Iran, in Iranica Antiqua vol. XCXXVI (2001), fig.69 and discussion there.

CONDITION