Ancient Anatolian Alabaster Violin Idol
Ancient Asia Minor / Central Asia, modern day Turkey, Anatolian, Early Bronze Age II-III, ca. 2700 to 2000 BCE. A fabulous alabaster idol of the Kusura-Beycesultan variety, skillfully hand-carved into an hourglass violin-shaped body with a cylindrical neck that slightly widens to a rounded head - the form evocative of the classic stringed instrument. The meaning and function of Anatolian idols remains an enigma without any written record from this era. Archaeologists have theorized that fertility was prized by these peoples and that the violin idol takes inspiration from the female anatomy, though no doubt interpreted in a highly-abstract manner. In addition to this idol's mesmerizing form, the inherent beauty of the stone - with those almost liquid-like peach-hued passages contrasting with the warm beige - is undeniable. Size: 2.5" H (6.4 cm); 3" H (7.6 cm) on included custom stand.
Scholars do not known for certain the meaning and purpose of so-called violin idols. However, it has been suggested that these figures were associated with motherhood and fertility. Votive idols like this one are known in a variety of fascinating forms throughout the pre-literate ancient world. From the truly abstract Kilia-type figures that are barely recognizable as human to the exaggerated feminine shapes of so-called "Venus" figures, people in the past, as today, had a clear desire to portray human forms and did not feel constrained by naturalism.
For a stylistically-similar example with a larger head, please see "Idols: The Beginning of Abstract Form." Ariadne Galleries, Inc., New York, 1989, p. 63, fig. 28.
Provenance: ex-Richard Wagner collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, 1960s
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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#146180
Condition Report: Expected surface wear commensurate with age. Nice mineral deposits and root marks.
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Ancient Asia Minor / Central Asia, modern day Turkey, Anatolian, Early Bronze Age II-III, ca. 2700 to 2000 BCE. A fabulous alabaster idol of the Kusura-Beycesultan variety, skillfully hand-carved into an hourglass violin-shaped body with a cylindrical neck that slightly widens to a rounded head - the form evocative of the classic stringed instrument. The meaning and function of Anatolian idols remains an enigma without any written record from this era. Archaeologists have theorized that fertility was prized by these peoples and that the violin idol takes inspiration from the female anatomy, though no doubt interpreted in a highly-abstract manner. In addition to this idol's mesmerizing form, the inherent beauty of the stone - with those almost liquid-like peach-hued passages contrasting with the warm beige - is undeniable. Size: 2.5" H (6.4 cm); 3" H (7.6 cm) on included custom stand.
Scholars do not known for certain the meaning and purpose of so-called violin idols. However, it has been suggested that these figures were associated with motherhood and fertility. Votive idols like this one are known in a variety of fascinating forms throughout the pre-literate ancient world. From the truly abstract Kilia-type figures that are barely recognizable as human to the exaggerated feminine shapes of so-called "Venus" figures, people in the past, as today, had a clear desire to portray human forms and did not feel constrained by naturalism.
For a stylistically-similar example with a larger head, please see "Idols: The Beginning of Abstract Form." Ariadne Galleries, Inc., New York, 1989, p. 63, fig. 28.
Provenance: ex-Richard Wagner collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, 1960s
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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#146180
Condition Report: Expected surface wear commensurate with age. Nice mineral deposits and root marks.
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Time, Location
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