Syro-Hittite Terracotta Talisman - 2.5 in
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
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Estimate € 430 - € 500
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Syro-Hittite terracotta talisman depicting a man riding a bull, dating to the first half of the second millennium BC, with a length of 63 mm and height of 67 mm, collected in 2025 from Timeline Auctions in Mayfair, UK, and condition described as porous beige with some surface calcification and leg damage, refurbished original authenticity.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Syro-Hittite Teracotta figure “Man riding bull”
Dating:
First half of the second millennium BC
Size:
Length: 63 mm (2 and ½ inches)
Height (Head to foot): 67mm (2 and ½ inches)
Weight: 41.5 grams (1 and ½ ounces)
Provenance:
Ex Timeline Auctions 2.12.2025 lot 250 (Documentation included)
Ex important Mayfair, London, UK, collection, before 2000.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
Description:
Standing bull with a rider on its back holding onto the horns, leaning forwards, staring the bull in the eyes and applying what is possibly a bridle decorated with a series of impressed 'dots'; the rider seated forward on the shoulders, applied eyes with central impressed 'dot', a series of dots impressed in an X-pattern between shoulders and hips at the rear and three bands of impressed dots to the legs; bull's tail held firmly between his back legs, applied eyes, shallow dots and incised line representing muzzle and mouth, applied collar at the neck decorated with three lines of impressed 'dots'.
Condition:
The overall condition of the piece is ok for the type. The terracotta is porous as usual and has a beige color which is the norm for these, but the surface has some white spots (probably calcification). The back legs are damaged, the left leg is almost completely missing, while the right leg has been glued back on, in modern times. The front legs are mostly complete with the right one being minorly damaged.
Reference:
Brooklyn Museum Nr. 1996.146.7
https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/no-NO/objects/155574
Syro-Hittite Teracotta figure “Man riding bull”
Dating:
First half of the second millennium BC
Size:
Length: 63 mm (2 and ½ inches)
Height (Head to foot): 67mm (2 and ½ inches)
Weight: 41.5 grams (1 and ½ ounces)
Provenance:
Ex Timeline Auctions 2.12.2025 lot 250 (Documentation included)
Ex important Mayfair, London, UK, collection, before 2000.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
Description:
Standing bull with a rider on its back holding onto the horns, leaning forwards, staring the bull in the eyes and applying what is possibly a bridle decorated with a series of impressed 'dots'; the rider seated forward on the shoulders, applied eyes with central impressed 'dot', a series of dots impressed in an X-pattern between shoulders and hips at the rear and three bands of impressed dots to the legs; bull's tail held firmly between his back legs, applied eyes, shallow dots and incised line representing muzzle and mouth, applied collar at the neck decorated with three lines of impressed 'dots'.
Condition:
The overall condition of the piece is ok for the type. The terracotta is porous as usual and has a beige color which is the norm for these, but the surface has some white spots (probably calcification). The back legs are damaged, the left leg is almost completely missing, while the right leg has been glued back on, in modern times. The front legs are mostly complete with the right one being minorly damaged.
Reference:
Brooklyn Museum Nr. 1996.146.7
https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/no-NO/objects/155574
Details
Culture
Syro-Hittite
Century/timeframe
First part of 2nd Millenium BC
Name of object
Talisman
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2025
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
terracotta is porous as usual and has a beige color which is the norm for these, but the surface has
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
2.5 in
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
United Kingdom
Depth
2.5 in
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Refurbished original
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
