Lot 37B
Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, Anatolia, Early Bronze Age, ca. 3000 to 2500 BCE. A fascinating, anthropomorphic stone idol with a rectangular body and slightly flared platform base. The visible features are a round head with a line for a nose and deep-set eyes that may once have had inlays of another type of stone or precious metal. Low ridges that extend down the sides and meet in the middle give a suggestion of arms with clasped hands at the waist. Size: 1.75" W x 4.4" H (4.4 cm x 11.2 cm); 4.9" H (12.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Stone votive idols like this one are known in a variety of fascinating forms throughout the pre-literate ancient world. From the truly abstract Kilia-type figures that are barely recognizable as human to the exaggerated feminine shapes of so-called "Venus" figures, people in the past, as today, had a clear desire to portray human forms and did not feel constrained by naturalism. There are some repeated motifs: emphasized arms, as on this figure, which researchers have interpreted to mean an act of supplication; similarly, the wide eyes on this figure are an often-repeated characteristic that researchers believe means that the figure is attentive to the gods. Miniature figures like these seem to be portraying worshippers rather than gods, and we believe that they were small enough that ordinary people could have owned them and kept them on home altars. Many people from ancient Anatolia are found buried with items like this one.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#127658
- Condition: Wear on surface commensurate with age, but form remains visible.
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