Near East, Turkey, Anatolia, Neolithic / Chalcolithic, ca. 5500 to 3000 BCE. This is a fine pair of hand-molded pottery idol figures of highly abstract forms. The stylized figures have solid conical bodies with slightly protruding stomachs, and their posteriors are pinched into shapely cheeks. Their nubbin arms are outstretched, and their heads are reduced to narrow points, perhaps to bring our attention to their bodies rather than facial details. Ancient idols like these example, that reduce the human figure to a simple collection of shapes and lines, are considered some of our oldest abstract art. Their function is unknown, but they may have represented fertility charms or deities. Size: 1" W x 1.8" H (2.5 cm x 4.6 cm)
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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#134738
Condition
Smaller figure is restored, the head and tip of left arm is new material. Both figures have surface wear commensurate with age.