Description:

Ancient Near East, Anatolia, Early Bronze Age II, ca. 2700 to 2300 BCE. A lovely Kusura-type idol of an extremely simplified anthropomorphic form, hand-carved from creamy yellow-white marble. The figure bears a wide semicircular body, pronounced shoulders, a tapering conical neck, and a triangular head with no discernable facial features. Kusura idols come from the village of Kusura in southeastern modern-day Turkey. 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. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 2.2" W x 4.125" H (5.6 cm x 10.5 cm); 4.9" H (12.4 cm) on included custom stand.

For a stylistically-similar example, please see "Idols: The Beginning of Abstract Form." Ariadne Galleries, Inc., London, 1989, p. 58, fig. 19.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Richard Wagner collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in the 1960s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#143616

  • Condition: Small chips to head, body, and peripheries, with light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits and root marks throughout.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

March 7, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$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 + $20,000