22K+ Gold Necklace Sumarian Quartz Lion Pendant, Beads

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Exceptional Day 1: Antiquities & Asian Art

By Artemis Gallery

Sep 26, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-09-26 10:00:00 2019-09-26 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Day 1: Antiquities & Asian Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-day-1-antiquities-asian-art-4437
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional, museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Viking, Russian, Near Eastern, as well as Asian Art from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and India. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Ancient Near East, Sumer, ca. 3rd to 2nd millennium BCE. An enchanting necklace comprised of a Sumerian quartz lion pendant delineated in high relief with a regal visage framed by a lavish wavy mane framed by a high karat gold (93-94% gold, equivalent to 22K+) setting with a faceted quartz dangler below and a strand of quartz beads (nearly 80 beads in rounded and disc shapes) with gold disc spacer beads (93-94% gold, equivalent to 22K+) set in four curved gold bands (93-94% gold, equivalent to 22K+) that are elegantly linked together and a beautiful clasp/lock at the nape of the neck. Size: quartz lion pendant measures 1.375" W x 1.125" H (3.5 cm x 2.9 cm); strand of crystal and gold spacer beads 16" L (40.6 cm) + 2" L (5.1 cm) pendant; pendant + drop bead 2.25" L (5.7 cm); total weight: 90.7 grams; gold quality: 93-94% gold, equivalent to 22K+.
  
  The lion pendant imbues this necklace with rich symbolism, as it may be a reference to Inanna, the Sumerian goddess of love, passion, sexuality, and fertility who is often referred to as the "Queen of Heaven" and traditionally depicted riding a lion. The lion denotes Inanna's courage, and depictions of her riding the lion signify her supremacy over the king of beasts. The Akkadians and Assyrians later identified Inanna as the goddess Ishtar; the Hittites identified her as Sauska; the Phoenicians with Astarte and the Greeks with Aphrodite.
  
  Historian Gwendolyn Leick writes, "Inanna was the foremost Sumerian goddess, patron deity of Uruk. Her name was written with a sign that represents a reed stalk tied into a loop at the top. This appears in the very earliest written texts from the mid-fourth millennium B.C. She is also mentioned in all the early god lists among the four main deities, along with Anu, Enki, and Enlil. In the royal inscriptions of the early Dynastic Period, Inanna is often invoked as the special protectress of kings. Sargon of Akkad claimed her support in battle and politics. It appears that it was during the third millennium that the goddess acquired martial aspects that may derive from a syncretism with the Semitic deity Ishtar. Inanna's main sanctuary was the Eanna (House of Heaven) at Uruk, although she had temples or chapels in most cities." (https://www.ancient.eu/Inanna/)
  
  Provenance: ex Marina del Rey, California, USA collection
  
  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.
  
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  #149017

  Condition

  All the quartz components are ancient Sumerian. The gold components date to the 20th century. Beads show slight surface wear with minute nicks, stable fissures, and areas of abrasion commensurate with age. The lion pendant shows red iron-rich deposits, but is in generally excellent condition.
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