**Originally Listed At $750**

Ancient Near East, modern day Turkey, Anatolia, Early Bronze Age II, ca. 2700 to 2300 BCE. A fine example of a Kusura-Beycesultan type idol of an extremely simplified anthropomorphic form carved from yellow-white marble. The idol boasts a bulbous form with a rounded lower body, projecting conical arms, a tall neck, and a small tab projecting from the side of the circular head. Idols of this type come from the areas surrounding the village of Kusura in southeastern modern-day Turkey. 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 had a clear desire to portray human forms and did not feel constrained by naturalism. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 2.1" W x 3.1" H (5.3 cm x 7.9 cm); 3.625" H (9.2 cm) on included custom stand.

For a stylistically-similar example, please see "Idols: The Beginning of Abstract Form." Ariadne Galleries, Inc., New York, 1989, p. 63, fig. 27.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Richard Wagner collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in the 1960s

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#144116

Minor abrasions to obverse, reverse, and peripheries, with light darkening to stone color commensurate with age, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label on verso.