Description:

Ancient Near East, Sumerian, Early Dynastic IIIb, ca. 2500 to 2250 BCE. A finely-sculpted and fairly-naturalistic head of a male worshipper, hand-carved from a pale yellow-white alabaster. The head has a slender neck with nicely contoured cheeks and high cheek bones, a pointed nose, pursed lips, cupped ears with drilled ear canals, and a domed top. The recessed ovoid eyes and incised brows likely held inlays of shell or colored stone with thin layers of bitumen to secure them in place. The design of the eyes relates to the common motif throughout the ancient Near East that eyes must be wide and attentive to show religious devotion. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 1.125" W x 2.125" H (2.9 cm x 5.4 cm); 4" H (10.2 cm) on included custom stand.

For a stylistically-similar example of a Sumerian alabaster head on a full torso, please see The Walters Art Museum, accession number 21.5: https://art.thewalters.org/detail/30863/male-worshiper/

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#140203

  • Condition: This head likely once belonged to a larger figure. Small nicks to neck line, ears, face, and top of head, with fading to some finer features, and minor darkening in some areas. Light earthen deposits throughout.

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January 10, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
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$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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