Central Europe, Neolithic Period, Vinca culture, ca. 5700 to 4500 BCE. An exceptionally rare hand-built clay idol of grey hues with nice areas of burnishing representing a dramatic visage - roughly spade-shaped, with large incised eyes flanking either side of a prominent pointed nose and a raised nasal ridge. Several incised striations detail the face vertically above the eyes and horizontally below, with a gently curved verso exhibiting several small piercings perhaps from which a small textile costume would be suspended. A pointed chin and perforated ears complete the abstract anthropomorphic countenance, with a jagged neck line suggesting this was once part of a larger idol figure. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 2.75" W x 3.125" H (7 cm x 7.9 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.

The Vinca (also called Turdas or Turdas-Vinca) culture included Neolithic peoples of Southeastern and Central Europe who existed from roughly 5700 to 4500 BCE. This culture's name derives from its archaeological site, known as "Vinca-Belo Brdo," which was a very large Tell settlement that Serbian archaeologist Miloje Vasic discovered in 1908. Due to its prowess in agricultural technology, the Vinca population grew significantly and produced some of the largest settlements of prehistoric Europe. Although these settlements were distinguished by unusually strong cultural uniformity due to a long-distance exchange of ritual articles, scholars do not believe that they were politically unified. One signature of the Vinca culture is the wide variety of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic sculptural creations, including this example, created by its talented artisans.

For a similar example, please see Eisenberg, Jerome. Art of the Ancient World, Volume XXII. Royal Athena Galleries, New York, 2011, p. 37, fig. 84.

A similar example hammered for $4,700 at Christie's, New York Antiquities Auction (sale 9666, June 8, 2001, lot 315): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-late-vinca-clay-head-circa-5th-2063608-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=2063608&sid=709ab4ba-e3a9-42b0-ad66-9649c0eaa217

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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.

#134737

Head was once part of a larger idol figure. Restoration to large area of nose. Repaired from several large pieces with some small chips, light stabilization material, and light adhesive residue along break lines. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age as expected, fading to pigmentation, with small chips and roughness to neck line, chin, nose, forehead, verso, and peripheries, and fading to finer incised details. Light earthen deposits throughout.