Near East - Eye Idol - Tell Brak - 3rd millennium BC
06
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13
hours
16
minutes
39
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Current bid
€ 63
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,700 - € 2,000
 | €63 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €60 |
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This original Near Eastern ceramic Eye Idol from Tell Brak dates to the Late Uruk period, circa 3300–3000 BC, and measures 11.6 cm high.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Large Sumerian eye idol in ceramic from Tell Brak, consisting of a conical body topped with two ring-shaped eyes.
Late Uruk period, 3300 to 3000 BC.
Hand-shaped in ceramic, this object belongs to one of the most legendary categories of artefacts from archaic Mesopotamia.
The idol has a wide, bell-shaped body topped with two loops resembling “eyes.” The schematic body is crowned with large rings representing the eyes, with no other distinct facial features.
These “eye idols” were so named in the 1930s by the British archaeologist Max Mallowan, who unearthed hundreds of small anthropomorphic objects of similar shape during excavations at the site of Tell Brak.
He named the place where they were discovered the “Eye Temple.”
Tell Brak was an important Mesopotamian city, situated on a trade route linking the Tigris Valley with northern Anatolia, the Euphrates, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Archaeologists believe these idols were placed there as offerings, since in Mesopotamian art, large eyes symbolised religious attentiveness and devotion to the gods.
Dimensions: height 11.6 cm - width10.8 cm - thickness 8.2 cm
Asia Minor, Anatolia, 3rd millennium BC.
Very good state of preservation, with a few earthy deposits on the surface - No restoration.
Provenance: Dick Meijer Antiquities, Amsterdam, 2006.
The seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally; the provenance declaration has been reviewed by Catawiki.
Important information: The seller guarantees that they are authorised to sell/export this lot.
The seller will ensure that the necessary permits, such as an export licence, are arranged. (Cultural Object Passport)
The seller will inform the buyer of its status if this takes more than a few days.
All the seller’s items are shipped with insurance covering the purchase price and are accompanied by an illustrated descriptive document mentioning 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 TranslateLarge Sumerian eye idol in ceramic from Tell Brak, consisting of a conical body topped with two ring-shaped eyes.
Late Uruk period, 3300 to 3000 BC.
Hand-shaped in ceramic, this object belongs to one of the most legendary categories of artefacts from archaic Mesopotamia.
The idol has a wide, bell-shaped body topped with two loops resembling “eyes.” The schematic body is crowned with large rings representing the eyes, with no other distinct facial features.
These “eye idols” were so named in the 1930s by the British archaeologist Max Mallowan, who unearthed hundreds of small anthropomorphic objects of similar shape during excavations at the site of Tell Brak.
He named the place where they were discovered the “Eye Temple.”
Tell Brak was an important Mesopotamian city, situated on a trade route linking the Tigris Valley with northern Anatolia, the Euphrates, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Archaeologists believe these idols were placed there as offerings, since in Mesopotamian art, large eyes symbolised religious attentiveness and devotion to the gods.
Dimensions: height 11.6 cm - width10.8 cm - thickness 8.2 cm
Asia Minor, Anatolia, 3rd millennium BC.
Very good state of preservation, with a few earthy deposits on the surface - No restoration.
Provenance: Dick Meijer Antiquities, Amsterdam, 2006.
The seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally; the provenance declaration has been reviewed by Catawiki.
Important information: The seller guarantees that they are authorised to sell/export this lot.
The seller will ensure that the necessary permits, such as an export licence, are arranged. (Cultural Object Passport)
The seller will inform the buyer of its status if this takes more than a few days.
All the seller’s items are shipped with insurance covering the purchase price and are accompanied by an illustrated descriptive document mentioning 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
Near East
Century/timeframe
3ème millénaire avant J.-C.
Name of object
- Eye Idol - Tell Brak - 3rd millennium BC
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2006
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Previous owner - year acquired
2006
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
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.
