Near East Very rare Basalt Altar, 27 x 23 cm; 18 kg - Exhibited - Altar
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 15,000 - € 18,000
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A carved basalt altar of waisted cylindrical form (27 x 23 cm, 18 kg) from the Near East Chalcolithic period (ca. 4th millennium BCE), featuring an anthropomorphic visage on one side; exhibited in the Ifergan Collection museum, Málaga (2018–2020).
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Description from the seller
A carved basalt stone altar of a graceful, waisted cylindrical form, also referred to as a pillar image, the top recessed to create a shallow basin, one side with an anthropomorphic visage with a large beaked nose, small protruding round eyes, and flanking lugs for ears. This is an extremely rare piece that was probably used as a home altar.
Altars of this type have been found in and around the Golan region, and appear to be carved from local basalt. It has been suggested that these altars represent household gods. In the Chalcolithic period a nose was often added to non-anthropomorphic cultic objects, suggesting that the nose was identified as being connected to the breath of life, and therefore able to imbue an object with anthropomorphic qualities.
Provenance: Elisenda Barbié Arte-Arqueología, Spain, Barcelona, 2015
Exhibited: Ifergan Collection museum, Málaga (2018-2020)
Statement seen by Catawiki. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subject to export taxes and will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense.
These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it:
- Up to 6,000 euros: 5%.
-From 6.001 to 60.000 euros: 10%.
Due to Switzerland and USA customs regulations about antiques over 100 years old, this lot cannot be sold to customers residing in Switzerland and USA
Seller's Story
Ifergan Gallery – Ancient Art is an antique art gallery located in Malaga, with more than 10 years of experience specializing in ancient art and archaeology. The pieces we offer come from the Ifergan Collection Museum, which guarantees their historical value and quality. Our goal is to bring authentic archaeological pieces to both collectors and those who wish to start collecting, offering original works for different budgets and always with the maximum guarantees. All our pieces have been legally acquired and are shipped with a certificate of authenticity and export permit issued by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, with fast and secure shipping via DHL Express.
A carved basalt stone altar of a graceful, waisted cylindrical form, also referred to as a pillar image, the top recessed to create a shallow basin, one side with an anthropomorphic visage with a large beaked nose, small protruding round eyes, and flanking lugs for ears. This is an extremely rare piece that was probably used as a home altar.
Altars of this type have been found in and around the Golan region, and appear to be carved from local basalt. It has been suggested that these altars represent household gods. In the Chalcolithic period a nose was often added to non-anthropomorphic cultic objects, suggesting that the nose was identified as being connected to the breath of life, and therefore able to imbue an object with anthropomorphic qualities.
Provenance: Elisenda Barbié Arte-Arqueología, Spain, Barcelona, 2015
Exhibited: Ifergan Collection museum, Málaga (2018-2020)
Statement seen by Catawiki. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subject to export taxes and will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense.
These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it:
- Up to 6,000 euros: 5%.
-From 6.001 to 60.000 euros: 10%.
Due to Switzerland and USA customs regulations about antiques over 100 years old, this lot cannot be sold to customers residing in Switzerland and USA
Seller's Story
Ifergan Gallery – Ancient Art is an antique art gallery located in Malaga, with more than 10 years of experience specializing in ancient art and archaeology. The pieces we offer come from the Ifergan Collection Museum, which guarantees their historical value and quality. Our goal is to bring authentic archaeological pieces to both collectors and those who wish to start collecting, offering original works for different budgets and always with the maximum guarantees. All our pieces have been legally acquired and are shipped with a certificate of authenticity and export permit issued by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, with fast and secure shipping via DHL Express.
Details
Culture
Near East
Century/timeframe
Chalcolithic period, ca. 4th Millennium BCE
Name of object
Altar
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2015
Material
Very rare Basalt Altar, 27 x 23 cm; 18 kg - Exhibited -
Country acquired from
Spain
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2000
Previous owner - country acquired from
Spain
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
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.
