Ancient Greece, Master Piece Stone Cycladic idol with export license for European Union - 10.2 cm

This sculptural fragment represents the head of a Cycladic idol of the Early Spedos type, characterized by its soft and schematic forms. The piece, carved in marble, follows the tradition of Cycladic figures, with a minimalist and refined aesthetic that emphasizes geometric shapes.

The face has a convex profile, with a gentle curvature that is accentuated on the sides, where the cheeks take on an oval shape. The forehead, horizontally flattened at the top, descends in a slope that culminates in a prominent and elongated nose, carved in relief. The back of the head is smooth and vertical, with no additional details, suggesting that the figure may have been integrated into a larger body or that it was part of a sculptural ensemble.

The surface of the marble shows signs of wear, with a slightly eroded texture that attests to its age. Some discoloration is observed on the left side of the face, indicating possible uneven exposure to environmental or burial conditions.

Cycladic idols were common in the prehistoric cultures of the Cycladic islands, and although their exact function remains debated, it is believed they may have been votive figures, representations of deities, or funerary images. The simplicity of their design and their refined execution make them pieces of great aesthetic and archaeological value.

This head is an exceptional testimony of Cycladic art, with its stylized design and careful execution, reflecting the artistic sensibility of a civilization that influenced the later development of Greek art.

Acquired
- Jean-David Cahn, Basel
Previously with N. Koutoulakis, Switzerland, 1960s, then by family descent.
Later, private collection, Belgium, 1990s.
Later, a private collection from Connecticut, USA, acquired in London in 2012.
The piece includes an authenticity certificate as well as an export license for the European Union.

The seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will ensure that any necessary permits are arranged; this process can take between 2 and 4 weeks.

IMPORTANT: Due to new laws on the export of archaeological pieces, we have decided to NO LONGER sell outside the European territory for the following countries: Switzerland & United States of America.
For destinations outside European territory: all our items will be shipped after obtaining a definitive EXPORT LICENSE from the Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that this may take between 4-8 weeks. According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subject to export taxes. The taxes will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are based on the final auction price, and the tax rate is not applied directly to the total value of the exported item but rather, different percentage rates are applied to it in sections:
Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. / From 6,001 to 60,000 euros: 10%.

Please note that for far destinations (Asia, Middle East, etc.), there will be an additional cost for shipping.