Ancient Anatolia Limestone Fertility Idol
Ancient Near East, modern day Turkey, Anatolia, Neolithic / Chalcolithic, ca. 6000 to 3000 BCE. A petite limestone fertility figure depicting a woman with enlarged, voluptuous stomach and thighs to emphasize her fertility and prosperity. She stands with her arms to her sides, incised lines indicating rolls of flesh, her navel is prominent, and her head rests on a thick neck. Her face is quite naturalistic, with dimpled cheeks, stub nose, and arched brows, and her coiffure is pulled to the nape of her neck. Exaggerated female forms from this region are some of the earliest religious artifacts that we know of. Research suggests that they may have been made to represent well-nourished women, and therefore likely to be fertile, but recently their meaning has been re-evaluated by archaeologists and historians, many of whom now argue that they may celebrate sexuality and the desirability of the female form. Whatever her true purpose, this lady is a beautiful rendering! Size: 2.3" L x 1.35" W (5.8 cm x 3.4 cm); 3.3" H (8.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#140209
Condition Report: Losses and chips to verso. Losses to feet as shown. Chips to high pointed areas and surface abrasions. Stable cavity on stomach. Facial features are partially discernable.
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Ancient Near East, modern day Turkey, Anatolia, Neolithic / Chalcolithic, ca. 6000 to 3000 BCE. A petite limestone fertility figure depicting a woman with enlarged, voluptuous stomach and thighs to emphasize her fertility and prosperity. She stands with her arms to her sides, incised lines indicating rolls of flesh, her navel is prominent, and her head rests on a thick neck. Her face is quite naturalistic, with dimpled cheeks, stub nose, and arched brows, and her coiffure is pulled to the nape of her neck. Exaggerated female forms from this region are some of the earliest religious artifacts that we know of. Research suggests that they may have been made to represent well-nourished women, and therefore likely to be fertile, but recently their meaning has been re-evaluated by archaeologists and historians, many of whom now argue that they may celebrate sexuality and the desirability of the female form. Whatever her true purpose, this lady is a beautiful rendering! Size: 2.3" L x 1.35" W (5.8 cm x 3.4 cm); 3.3" H (8.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#140209
Condition Report: Losses and chips to verso. Losses to feet as shown. Chips to high pointed areas and surface abrasions. Stable cavity on stomach. Facial features are partially discernable.
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Estimate
Time, Location
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