Description:

Western Asia, ca. late 7th to early 6th millennium BCE. A gorgeous and rare example of an anhydrite bowl, featuring a near-spherical body with a small, flat base that tapers at the shoulder to a thick rounded rim. The interior has been shallowly hollowed out and smoothed around the rim, leaving the lower interior surface with a rougher texture by contrast. The stone has such a unique coloration - thick bands of periwinkle, cornflower blue, silvery grey, and creamy white give it a calming, cool appearance. Size: 4.2" W x 3.9" H (10.7 cm x 9.9 cm)

Anhydrite vessels are known from Western Asia, Mesopotamia, and Egypt, often associated with elite tombs. For example, Pharaoh Thutmosis III's wives all had anhydrite vessels with gold rims.

Sold at Christie's New York on December 9, 2015, Lot #91, for $5000 USD.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Christie's New York on December 9, 2015, Lot #91, for $5000 USD; ex-Fortuna Fine Arts, New York, USA, acquired in 1995; ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, collected in 1982 with Boris Mussienko, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA

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#152890

  • Condition: Light wear on surface commensurate with age, notably some chips, nicks, and pitting, with most pitting on the interior and underside.

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February 13, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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