Sumerian Limestone Plaque Pendant w/ Incised Canines
Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumerian, ca. 2900–2334 BCE. A pale limestone plaque of irregular, roughly trapezoidal outline, its smoothed obverse incised with a pair of lean quadrupeds in profile, likely wolves or a related predator, one striding forward with pricked triangular ears and a punched eye, the second reduced to a hindquarter and a tightly coiled, spiral-curled tail. The linear draughtsmanship is spare and confident, the grooves cut with a fine point into a stone described as a magnesian marly limestone, its surface now softened to a warm biscuit tone. A suspension hole drilled through the reverse indicates the plaque was worn, perhaps as an amulet in which the predators served an apotropaic role. Animal friezes of this economy belong to the visual vocabulary of Early Dynastic Sumer, where the hunt and the beast recur on seals, plaques, and inlay. Size: 1.51" H x 2.85" W x 0.36" D (3.8 cm H x 7.2 cm W x 0.9 cm D).
The Early Dynastic period (roughly 2900 to 2334 BCE) gave Mesopotamia its first sustained repertoire of animal imagery, carried above all on cylinder seals, votive plaques, and shell and stone inlay from the city-states of Ur, Lagash, Kish, and Mari. Predators there are rarely decorative: lions, dogs, and wolf-like canids appear locked in contest friezes, guarding herds, or flanking heroes, and small carved pieces bearing such creatures were plausibly worn for protection as much as for display. The coiled or curled tail seen on the second animal is a recurring convention of Sumerian linear engraving, a shorthand that resolves the problem of a long appendage within a cramped field rather than an anatomical observation.
Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection; ex-private F. B. collection, Maryland, USA, acquired between 1990 to 2005
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #204765
Condition
Fragment of a larger piece. Encrustations to suspension loop on verso inhibiting wearability. Some chips and abrasions as shown. Otherwise, good remaining detail.
Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumerian, ca. 2900–2334 BCE. A pale limestone plaque of irregular, roughly trapezoidal outline, its smoothed obverse incised with a pair of lean quadrupeds in profile, likely wolves or a related predator, one striding forward with pricked triangular ears and a punched eye, the second reduced to a hindquarter and a tightly coiled, spiral-curled tail. The linear draughtsmanship is spare and confident, the grooves cut with a fine point into a stone described as a magnesian marly limestone, its surface now softened to a warm biscuit tone. A suspension hole drilled through the reverse indicates the plaque was worn, perhaps as an amulet in which the predators served an apotropaic role. Animal friezes of this economy belong to the visual vocabulary of Early Dynastic Sumer, where the hunt and the beast recur on seals, plaques, and inlay. Size: 1.51" H x 2.85" W x 0.36" D (3.8 cm H x 7.2 cm W x 0.9 cm D).
The Early Dynastic period (roughly 2900 to 2334 BCE) gave Mesopotamia its first sustained repertoire of animal imagery, carried above all on cylinder seals, votive plaques, and shell and stone inlay from the city-states of Ur, Lagash, Kish, and Mari. Predators there are rarely decorative: lions, dogs, and wolf-like canids appear locked in contest friezes, guarding herds, or flanking heroes, and small carved pieces bearing such creatures were plausibly worn for protection as much as for display. The coiled or curled tail seen on the second animal is a recurring convention of Sumerian linear engraving, a shorthand that resolves the problem of a long appendage within a cramped field rather than an anatomical observation.
Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection; ex-private F. B. collection, Maryland, USA, acquired between 1990 to 2005
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #204765
Condition
Fragment of a larger piece. Encrustations to suspension loop on verso inhibiting wearability. Some chips and abrasions as shown. Otherwise, good remaining detail.
