Terra cotta idol from Syria
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Object number
AR3446
| Object: |
Terra cotta idol from Syria
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| Material: |
Terra cotta.
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| Period: |
3rd Millennium BC to early 2nd Millenium BC. Bronze Age. |
| Description: |
The idol or figure is typical of the Bronze Age region of what is now northern Syria. It has a highly stylized, flat body, with summarily modeled feet and broad shoulders. The arms are not plastically formed, but shown as a relief, lying on the breast at an angle. The head is dominated by a large, beak-like nose. Above it are two large eyes. Hairs are sean on the back of the head, the front of the head is dominated by a diadem style decoration with dots. The figure wears a broad necklace. The back is undecorated and flat.
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| Background: |
The characteristic, bird-like head of the Bronze Age idols from the region of Syria immediately catches the eye. There are numerous regional variations on this type of idol, with the bird's head being a constant. Both male and female idols are known. The purpose of the figures is not exactly known. As with other Bronze Age idol types, it is undecided whether the figures represent a god or a worshipper. In the latter case, the hand position in front of the chest is interpreted as a praying position. Finds are known in which the figures obviously served as a votive offering, often together with animal figures or chariot models. Other finds were made under floors. This evokes associations with household gods that have been handed down from the Old Testament as teraphim (e.g. Gen 31.19 ELB, 1 Sam 19.13 ELB and Hos 3.4 ELB). |
| Dimensions: |
14.1cm high. 4.6cm wide.
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| Condition: |
Perfect condition. Only small and probably ancient chips. The figure can stand on its own. Modern sticker on the rear reading "504".
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| Provenance: |
Acquired by us in 2023 from T. Schloessner, Germany. Previously in the German Steinbock family collection, built between 1920 and 1982 by the art historian R. Steinbock, mostly acquired on the German art market.
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| References: |
Cf. G. Zahlhaas: Idole - Frühe Götterbilder und Opfergaben, p. 92 und pl. 28, cat. no. 38. Cf. Palais Goltz-Kinsky, National Gallery Prague, acc. no. P 7373. Cf. G. Ligabue, G. Rossi-Osmida, Dea Madre, p. 138. For a very similar but smaller piece on the art market cf. Christie's London auction 20 April 2005, lot 75 (sold for 3120 GBP, equivalent to 4600 EUR at that time). |
| Literature: |
A very good and compact overview of the idols of the Mediterranean is given by G. Zahlhaas, Idole - Frühe Götterbilder und Offerings (exhibition catalogue of the prehistoric state collection of Bavaria Germany, volume 12, 1985).
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| Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
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