Western Asiatic Stone Mace Head

The figure with two pierced ears and painted face detailing, neck ornamentation and arm bangles, continuing to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 61 grams total, 13 cm high including stand



Ex UK collection formed in the 1980s. Acquired on the London art market. Accompanied by an Artemission, London SW5, certificate of authenticity.

Terracotta was a favoured material for the production of idols in the ancient Near East, the idols themselves representing deities, particularly goddesses that were connected to fertility. Such idols could even represent worshippers themselves. The Neo-Hittite civilisation, also known as the 'Syro-Hittite' civilisation, existed during the Iron Age in the areas that are now modern day northern Syria and Southern Anatolia. The Hittite empire collapsed around the 12th century B.C., an event which was proceeded by the decline of the Eastern Mediterranean trade networks, together with the fall of the major late Bronze Age cities in the Levant, Anatolia, and the Aegean.

The bulbous body with impressed whorl, pellet, bar and other ornament, ropework ring to the shoulder, flared neck and tiered mouth, strap handle to the reverse and a rolled foot; Turkish workmanship; chipped. 568 grams, 18.5 cm

Fine condition, foot and rim chipped.

Acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. Ex property of a Suffolk collector.

Composed of restrung graduated lozengiform, spherical and piriform carnelian beads and smaller spherical and biconical gold beads between; modern hook-and-eye clasp. 42.7 grams, 41 cm long



From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.