Description:

Ancient Near East, Tel Brak, modern day Syria, Middle Uruk Period, ca. 3700 to 3500 BCE. This is an abstract carved cream-colored stone figure with rounded, bell-shaped body surmounted by two well defined incised eyes. 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. What is the meaning of these incredibly abstract and yet clearly in some way anthropomorphic pieces of art? They were a form of worship: in ancient Mesopotamia, wide eyes meant intense attentiveness to the gods. The act of worship done by carving and displaying these objects resonates through thousands of years as an almost universal human desire. This is one of the finest examples of these wonderful idols that I have ever seen in person! Size: 1.8" W x 3" H (4.6 cm x 7.6 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private LA County collection acquired in the 1980's

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#118025

  • Condition: Some dirt staining to surface; very minor wear to edges of eyes.

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October 27, 2016 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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