Ancient Near East, probably Assyria, ca. 1000 to 600 BCE. A very rare ivory panel with a repeated lotus flower motifs, finely carved in low relief from ivory, probably harvested from the tusks of an elephant. Ivory-carved panels like these are found throughout the ancient Near East and ancient Egypt and are some of our best known Iron Age remains from the Levant. Ivory tablets similar to this one are described in the Bible and it is believed that people inlaid these panels as decoration on fine furniture. Some scholars have also connected their designs to marzeah, a periodic religious celebration that is described in Amos 6:4, when he writes "Alas for those who lie upon beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches…" and goes on to describe a period of feasting, music, and rest that he frowns upon for its luxury, decadence, and corruption. The lotus design displayed here may have been inspired by nearby Egyptian faience lotus flower images. Lucite stand. Size: 1" W x 7.125" H (2.5 cm x 18.1 cm); 7.125" H (18.1 cm) on stand

African Ivory. Bidders should be aware of the changing laws regarding commercialization of ivory and other product containing endangered species both on the Federal and State levels. This lot will be accompanied by a signed affidavit from the client that this object was in the United States prior to January 18, 1990, and is to the best of their knowledge and ability made prior to February 26, 1976 in accordance with Federal law. Ivory cannot be shipped out of the United States or to New York or New Jersey, and will not be shipped to California after June 30, 2016.

Provenance: Ex-Private Orange County, CA collection

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#118028

Expected discoloration. Age cracks with losses as shown.