Middle East - Idol with eyes - Tell Brak - 4th millennium BCE - Expertized by Ivan Bonchev
16
days
22
hours
04
minutes
50
seconds
Current bid
€ 8
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 3,100 - € 4,000
 | €8 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €7 | |
 | €6 | |
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Alabaster eye idol from Tell Brak, dating to the 4th millennium BC, expertised by Dr. Ivan Bonchev, with a rectangular flat body and almond-shaped engraved eyes and brows, 10.7 cm high and 7.8 cm wide, in good condition, provenance United Kingdom (Pax Romana), acquired in 2020 from Galerie/Antiquaire.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Alabaster-eyed idol from Tell Brak consisting of a flat rectangular body, with a hollow at the top for the neck and surmounted by two almond-shaped eyes and carved eyebrows.
Tell Brak was an important Mesopotamian city, located on a trade route linking the Tigris valley in northern Anatolia, the Euphrates, and the Mediterranean Sea.
The site’s most famous excavated building is the “Temple of the Eyes,” where thousands of stone statues with incised eyes have been uncovered.
Archaeologists believe these idols were placed there as offerings, because in Mesopotamian art large eyes symbolized religious attention and devotion to the gods.
Dimensions: height 10.7 cm - width 7.8 cm
Asia Minor, Anatolia, 4th millennium BCE
Excellent state of preservation, some surface earthy deposits
Provenance: United Kingdom, Pax Romana
Previously: owned by a professional London-based collector, acquired in the 1970s.
Piece examined by Dr. Ivan Bonchev, Doctor of Art History and Numismatics from the University of Oxford.
Piece supplied with its certificate of expertise.
The seller can prove that the lot was lawfully obtained, provenance declaration seen by Catawiki.
Important information: The seller guarantees that they are authorized to sell/export this lot.
The seller will ensure that the necessary permissions, such as an export licence, are organized. (Passport for a cultural object)
The seller will inform the buyer of their status if this takes more than a few days.
All items from the seller are shipped with insurance equal to the purchase price and come with an illustrated descriptive document noting the provenance.
Seller's Story
Archeologia is a professional seller located in Metropolitan France. specializing in the sale of archaeological objects.
All items for sale have been legally acquired and have been subject to an appraisal.
An illustrated certificate including the description of the object and the provenance is provided with any object purchased.
Translated by Google TranslateAlabaster-eyed idol from Tell Brak consisting of a flat rectangular body, with a hollow at the top for the neck and surmounted by two almond-shaped eyes and carved eyebrows.
Tell Brak was an important Mesopotamian city, located on a trade route linking the Tigris valley in northern Anatolia, the Euphrates, and the Mediterranean Sea.
The site’s most famous excavated building is the “Temple of the Eyes,” where thousands of stone statues with incised eyes have been uncovered.
Archaeologists believe these idols were placed there as offerings, because in Mesopotamian art large eyes symbolized religious attention and devotion to the gods.
Dimensions: height 10.7 cm - width 7.8 cm
Asia Minor, Anatolia, 4th millennium BCE
Excellent state of preservation, some surface earthy deposits
Provenance: United Kingdom, Pax Romana
Previously: owned by a professional London-based collector, acquired in the 1970s.
Piece examined by Dr. Ivan Bonchev, Doctor of Art History and Numismatics from the University of Oxford.
Piece supplied with its certificate of expertise.
The seller can prove that the lot was lawfully obtained, provenance declaration seen by Catawiki.
Important information: The seller guarantees that they are authorized to sell/export this lot.
The seller will ensure that the necessary permissions, such as an export licence, are organized. (Passport for a cultural object)
The seller will inform the buyer of their status if this takes more than a few days.
All items from the seller are shipped with insurance equal to the purchase price and come with an illustrated descriptive document noting the provenance.
Seller's Story
Archeologia is a professional seller located in Metropolitan France. specializing in the sale of archaeological objects.
All items for sale have been legally acquired and have been subject to an appraisal.
An illustrated certificate including the description of the object and the provenance is provided with any object purchased.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Middle East
Century/timeframe
4ème millénaire avant J.-C.
Name of object
- Idol with eyes - Tell Brak - 4th millennium BCE - Expertized by Ivan Bonchev
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2020
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Previous owner - country acquired from
United Kingdom
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
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.
