MESOPOTAMIAN MARBLE AND LAPIS LAZULI BULL IDOL

Uruk period, Ca. 3000 - 2500 BC. A marble bull idol carved in recumbent form, with the legs folded beneath the body and the head turned to the side. The face has a long muzzle, almond-shaped eyes, and short horns above the brow. The body is decorated with clover-shaped lapis lazuli inlays set into the flanks, shoulder, and head. Incised lines mark the neck, legs, and tail. For similar see: Metropolitan Museum Journal, v. 55, fig. 3, p. 93; Christie's, Live Auction 20677, Antiquities, Lot 42. Size: 90mm x 60mm; Weight: 245g Provenance: From a private UK collection; previously held by I.H., whose collection was assembled from the 1970s onwards. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.