Europe, Iberia (Spain and Portugal), Celto-Iberian period, ca. 5th to 4th century BCE. A richly weathered, ancient sculpture of a horse, its form simple but elegant. The body is elongated and rectangular, without ornament, while the head is demarcated by a gracefully curved, broad neck and a long, blunt stout. The ears and brow are mere suggestions by the carver. A carved ridge down the back of the neck gives the piece a large, dramatically styled mane; otherwise it is without detail, creating an ur-horse form rather than an individual portrait. The stone - probably a dark andesite - has a mottled dark grey and black hue. This item was probably used as a firedog. Size: 5.5" L x 17.5" W x 15" H (14 cm x 44.4 cm x 38.1 cm)
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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.
#146295
Condition
The back end of the horse is lost. The surface is heavily weathered with rich deposits, chips, nicks, and some small gouges, notably two on the neck, commensurate with great age and exposure to the elements. Form is still clear.