Description:

Ancient Near East, Levant, Canaanite or Syro-Hittite, ca. 1500 BCE. A hand-built charioteer riding his two-wheeled chariot drawn by a pair of horses or other quadrupeds. The rider stands upon the two-wheeled platform vehicle and grasps the rail. To the Canaanites and the Syro-Hittites, the defense of cities was of the utmost importance. Initially hand to hand combat with spears and/or axes was the modus operandi. However, the introduction of the horse-drawn chariot changed tactics on the field of battle enabling riding warriors to shoot arrows against the enemy formations while whirring about. Size: 4.7" L x 8.9" W x 5.8" H (11.9 cm x 22.6 cm x 14.7 cm)

This piece is part of a longstanding tradition in the ancient Near East of pottery figures depicting both religious themes and themes of everyday life. A worshipper would have given this chariot as a ritual offering and it may have held gifts or food placed inside of it. The chariot was not only a practical form of transportation but it also symbolized the war-like nature of the gods - frequently seen in carved reliefs running over the bodies of enemies.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex prominent DK collection, New York, New York, USA, acquired in 2000s

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.

#155721

  • Condition: Wheels have been reattached with materials that complement the ancient chariot. The figure has been expertly repaired where the figure's arms meet the chariot and at the center of the front of the chariot.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

June 4, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% 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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000