Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, Anatolia, Early Bronze Age, ca. 3000 to 2500 BCE. An enticing, anthropomorphic stone figure sitting on an integral plinth in a traditional pose of supplication with arms bent at elbows and hands on chest. Gazing slightly skyward as though in contemplation of the cosmos, the figure's elongated head displays minimalist features of a petite nose, raised brows, sunken eyes, prominent cheek bones, and full lips held closed. This mysterious sculpture may represent a worshipper standing in awe before some god the world has now forgotten. His stance and characteristics are evocative of a distant age, yet his quiet dignity is still quite powerful to the modern viewer. Size: 4" L x 5" W x 18.75" H (10.2 cm x 12.7 cm x 47.6 cm); 20.5" H (52.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Stone votive idols like this one are known in a variety of fascinating forms throughout the pre-literate ancient world. From the truly abstract Kilia-type figures that are barely recognizable as human to the exaggerated feminine shapes of so-called "Venus" figures, people in the past, as today, had a clear desire to portray human forms and did not feel constrained by naturalism. There are some repeated motifs: emphasized arms, as on this figure, which researchers have interpreted to mean an act of supplication; similarly, the wide eyes on this figure are an often-repeated characteristic that researchers believe means that the figure is attentive to the gods.

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

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#174708

Natural stone pitting and shallow cavities. Softening to details due to age and exposure to elements. Heavy mineral and earthen deposits on surface as shown. No repairs or restoration.