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THBAncient Sumerian Marble Mortar w/ 2 Bull Heads
Lot 74
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,800 - $4,200
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Sep 27, 2018
Set Reminder
2018-09-27 10:00:00
2018-09-27 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/antiquities-asian-ethnographic-3469
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (390)
- Lot Description
Ancient Near East, Sumeria or Babylon, ca. 2nd millennium BCE. A hand-carved marble mortar, a deep cuboid form standing on four nub-like feet, with two bull heads projecting from one short side. The mortar interior is worked to a rough, concave surface in the center, clearly having been used. The bull heads are dramatic and heavy, carved to have lines across the snout that represent a harness, with deepset eyes that may once have had inlays, broad foreheads that give an impression of power, and two short, curved horns that project outward from the top of the head. Size: 5.7" L x 3.7" W x 3.95" H (14.5 cm x 9.4 cm x 10 cm)
Bulls were linked to Enlil, the Mesopotamian god of air and storms and the supreme god of fertility; earthly rulers regarded themselves as the stewards of the bull god, and they incorporated the horns - so nicely displayed here - into their royal crowns. A mortar like this one - small, decorative - was probably used for ritual preparations rather than actual domestic food processing. This must have been a powerful religious item.
Provenance: private 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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#135210Two small cracks on rim that are stable. One leg is lost and has a modern addition to allow it to stand. One of the bull horns is partially lost. Encrustation on surface, with nice remaining form. Clear signs of use on interior.Condition
- Shipping Info
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