Ancient Near East, northwestern Iran, Amlash, ca. 1200 to 800 BCE. A creamy white limestone idol each with a distinctive beak-like nose, a narrow torso that widens at the waist, arms stretched outward, and broad thighs that are huge compared to the body. Ancient idols like this one, that reduce the human figure to a simple collection of shapes and lines, are considered some of our oldest abstract art. They fascinate us today in part because they hint at a belief system and cosmology that we can no longer access or understand. Instead, we guess at the meaning. Were they fertility charms? Representations of old gods? Were they made to be carried as apotropaic charms, or simply to be placed in tombs? Their mute figures raise more questions than they answer. Size: 2.95" W x 5.5" H (7.5 cm x 14 cm)

Bird-faced figurines like this one are found throughout the region. Although their meaning is unclear, most female figures found by largely male archaeologists of the late 19th and early 20th century were immediately given the title "fertility idol". However, more recent interpretations suggest that these figures probably had much more nuanced and varied symbolism, perhaps representing a goddess, a matriarch, or a worshipper.

Accompanied by a materials science analysis of the piece from John Twiley.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010; ex-Boisgirard, Paris, France, June 18, 2009, Lot 88; ex-private Esmerian collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#149847

Intact, with light scratching and wear on surface commensurate with age including some weathering on the back. A few small chips and nicks from surface.