古代东地中海 青铜 护身符 - 25 mm (没有保留价)

archaic Eastern Mediterranean Bronze Protective Amulet

Culture / Period: Archaic Eastern Mediterranean
Date / Period: Circa 8th–6th century B.C.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 25 mm
Condition: Good condition. Complete with suspension loop. Surface wear and patina consistent with age.

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Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 182

The current owner purchased the Archaic Eastern Mediterranean bronze Protective Amulet from a private collector, N.N. in Drunen.

The previous owner, a private collector, N.N. from Drunen (the Netherlands), stated that the object had been in his collection since the 1990s.

According to the previous owner, the object had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1980s.

No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the object was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:

This finely cast bronze amulet represents a highly stylized anthropomorphic protective figure, rendered in a manner characteristic of the Archaic cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean. The simplified facial features, prominent eyes, and schematic body reflect artistic traditions that developed across regions influenced by Greek, Cypriot, Phoenician, and Levantine craftsmanship during the early first millennium B.C.

Amulets of this type were intended to be worn suspended from a cord or necklace, as indicated by the integral loop at the top. Their primary function was protective. In the ancient Eastern Mediterranean world, small wearable amulets were believed to provide divine assistance, ward off misfortune, and protect the wearer against harmful supernatural forces. Such objects accompanied individuals throughout daily life and often formed part of a broader tradition of personal religious practice.

The stylized appearance of the figure reflects a period in which symbolic representation was often considered more important than naturalistic depiction. Rather than portraying a specific individual, the figure likely embodied a protective spirit, deity, or supernatural guardian. Similar amulets have been recovered from archaeological contexts across the Eastern Mediterranean, where local artistic traditions merged through extensive maritime trade and cultural exchange.

During the Archaic period, the Mediterranean was connected by flourishing commercial networks linking the Greek world, Cyprus, the Levant, Egypt, and Anatolia. Objects such as this demonstrate how religious ideas and artistic motifs travelled alongside merchants, craftsmen, and seafarers. The resulting material culture frequently combined elements from multiple traditions, creating distinctive amuletic forms that were widely recognized across different communities.

Bronze was a durable and valued material for the production of personal ornaments and protective objects. Skilled artisans cast such amulets in small moulds, producing portable items that could be carried close to the body for everyday protection.

Dating to approximately the 8th–6th century B.C., this amulet provides a direct and tangible connection to the spiritual beliefs of the ancient Eastern Mediterranean. It reflects a world in which personal protection, religious symbolism, and artistic expression were closely intertwined in daily life.