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Lot 115
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Rare Tell Brak Greenstone Double Eye Idol
Rare Tell Brak Greenstone Double Eye Idol
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Description:

Ancient Near East, The Levant, Tell Brak, Middle Uruk Period, ca. 3700 to 3500 BCE. An abstract greenstone idol of conjoined figures carved with flat bodies surmounted by elliptical heads that each contain a pair of well defined, incised eyes under arched brows. Their bodies are plaque-like, square aside from sloping shoulders and are relatively planar along the base. These idols were used for dedication to an all seeing god who watched over the populations of early Mesopotamia. They have been excavated from a building we call the Eye Temple; many are incised with multiple sets of eyes and other have "children" - smaller eyes and body carved on the body of the larger idol. Wide eyes meant attentiveness to the gods in Mesopotamian art, and the thought "two pairs of eyes are better than one" may have been applied to this intriguing pair! Size: 1.65" W x 2.2" H (4.2 cm x 5.6 cm); 2.6" H (6.6 cm) on included custom stand.

These "eye idols" were named in the 1930s by the British archaeologist Max Mallowan when excavating at the Tell Brak mound, where he found hundreds of small anthropomorphic items of similar form to this one - a simplified body topped by huge discs for eyes and no other discernible facial features. He named the place where he found them "The Temple of the Eyes." Archaeologists believe that these idols were placed there as offerings, as wide eyes meant religious attentiveness and devotion to the gods in Mesopotamian art.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 51.59.6

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#175761

  • Condition: Minor nicks and abrasions to eyes and body, with light earthen deposits, and softening to some finer details on eyes, otherwise intact and excellent. Great condition and rare form!

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December 1, 2022 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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