Lot 46D
Ancient Near East, Anatolia, present day Turkey, ca. 5th to 4th millennium BCE. Carved from a single piece of stone, an anthropomorphic idol presenting a full humanoid form standing on delineated feet, holding both arms outstretched in what would thousands of years later be termed an orant (orans) gesture as if appealing to the deities. Given its advanced age, it is remarkable that we can still see the suggestion of facial features. A remarkable example! Size: 4.5" L x 5.875" W x 7.25" H (11.4 cm x 14.9 cm x 18.4 cm)
Ancient idols like this one, that reduce the human figure to a simple collection of geometric forms, may be understood as extremely early examples of abstract art. They fascinate us today in part because they hint at a belief system and cosmology that we can no longer access or understand. Instead, we guess at the meaning. Are they fertility charms or representations of ancient deities? Were they made to be carried as apotropaic charms, or simply to be placed in tombs? Intriguingly, these mute figures raise more questions than answers.
Provenance: private New Jersey USA collection, acquired over twenty years ago
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#121600
- Condition: Expected wear to surface commensurate with age.
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| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |