Ancient Eastern Mediterranean, Phoenicia, ca. 8th to 7th century BCE. A beautiful example of a bronze musical instrument called a chalcophone, composed of two parallel bars - each with its terminals twisted into tight spirals - linked by eleven bronze wires with thick springs on them. To be played, someone would shake or pluck at the springs. The instrument has a delightful, whimsical appearance. An ivory pyxis from Phoenicia held by the British Museum (N.973) depicts a frieze of musicians playing double pipes, the tambourine, and chalcophones amidst palm and lotus trees, while a goddess overseeing a banquet observes, giving us an idea of how it would have been played and under what circumstances. Size: 5.1" W x 6.9" H (13 cm x 17.5 cm); 8.1" H (20.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Fascinatingly, chalcophones are found almost exclusively in Phoenicia and in South Italian Iron Age burials, suggesting a link between east and west. Similar, but not identical instruments also have been found in Ur. Chalcophones are often found alongside a type of instrument called "sonagliera," similar to chimes. In the South Italic contexts, they are associated with the graves of adult women. This is also true in Assyrian contexts, and the later Apulian sistrum - a similar instrument, depicted on red-figure vases is also associated with women, and, specifically, with religious contexts. So who would have used this beautiful instrument? It seems likely that it would have belonged to a high status woman, perhaps a priestess, musician, or dancer at religious ceremonies.

See a similar example at Bonhams London, which sold in 2014 for US $20,598: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21926/lot/94/

Provenance: private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA

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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#133024

One of the springs is bent, and one other is missing one end of its support rod. Beautiful bright green patina.