Ancient Near East, modern day Turkey, Anatolia, Early Bronze Age II, ca. 2700 to 2300 BCE. A fine example of a Kusura-Beycesultan type idol of an extremely simplified anthropomorphic form carved from yellow-white marble. The idol boasts a bulbous form with a rounded lower body, projecting conical arms, a tall neck, and a small tab projecting from the side of the circular head. Idols of this type come from the areas surrounding the village of Kusura in southeastern modern-day Turkey. 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 had a clear desire to portray human forms and did not feel constrained by naturalism. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 2.1" W x 3.1" H (5.3 cm x 7.9 cm); 3.625" H (9.2 cm) on included custom stand.
For a stylistically-similar example, please see "Idols: The Beginning of Abstract Form." Ariadne Galleries, Inc., New York, 1989, p. 63, fig. 27.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Richard Wagner collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in the 1960s
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#144116
Condition
Minor abrasions to obverse, reverse, and peripheries, with light darkening to stone color commensurate with age, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label on verso.