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THBFine Valdivian Stone Idol of an Owl
Lot 87
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:
$1,000 - $1,500
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Oct 21, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-10-21 10:00:00
2021-10-21 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fall Antiquities & Ethnographic Art Auction
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fall-antiquities-ethnographic-art-auction-7725
Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Fossils, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Fine art, and much more! All categories, all price ranges... all legally acquired and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Fossils, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Fine art, and much more! All categories, all price ranges... all legally acquired and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (341)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, South America, Ecuador, Valdivian culture, ca. 2300 to 2000 BCE. A skillfully carved green mudstone idol depicting a highly abstract owl of a squat, trapezoidal form. The curious bird's stylized visage is dominated by a pair of semi-circular eyes delineated by incised striations. A brief, concave neck connects the owl's head to its minimalistic body. Two incised curved lines section off both bottom corners just below a horizontal striation, perhaps representing the bird's feet. Boasting a smooth, sandy, beige surface, this intriguing figure was made by Valdivian artisans using string cut technology, wearing down grooves, and shaping corners. Size: 3.4" W x 5.75" H (8.6 cm x 14.6 cm)
The ancient Valdivia culture of Ecuador was initially discovered by archaeologist Emilio Estrada in 1956, fairly recently in historic terms, and it is regarded as one of the oldest cultures of the ancient Americas. Interestingly, this culture still poses a bit of a mystery to scholars as no finite end to this culture has been identified yet; what's more, no sign of a cultural migration has surfaced. Most plausible is that the population somehow dwindled inspiring members of the communities to leave their settlements in search of opportunities elsewhere.
Ancient stone stelae from Ecuador, like this example, are some of the oldest stone sculptures known to exist in the Americas, dating as far back as 3500 BCE. Certainly, each stele is unique; however, they do share a few common characteristics. They are usually carved from a pearly grey or beige stone and are for the most part "blockish" in form. The four most prominent themes of ancient Valdivian artistry include owls like this example, the "serpent/arrow," the sun chart, and the star chart.
Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection; ex-private Houston, Texas, USA, collection, acquired before 2000
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#167343Repaired from 2 pieces with break line visible and 2 chips reattached along break line on verso. Expected minor chips, nicks, and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent considering porosity of stone with light earthen deposits throughout.Condition
- Shipping Info
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