Description:

Central Asia, Pakistan/ Afghanistan, Mehrgarh period (pre-Indus Valley civilization), ca. 2800 to 2600 BCE. A fine fragment of a hand-built pottery female fertility figure exhibiting a abstract, avian-style face. Her head and bulb-form coiffure are covered with a thin veil, and her neck is adorned with layered necklaces that culminate in a round medallion. Bird-faced figurines like this one are found throughout the region, although their meaning is unclear - most female figures found by largely male archaeologists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century were immediately given the title "fertility idol," but more recent interpretations suggest that these figures probably had much more nuanced and varied symbolism, perhaps representing a goddess, a matriarch, or a worshipper. Size: 0.78" L x 1.55" W x 2.02" H (2 cm x 3.9 cm x 5.1 cm); 5.35" H (13.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection, inherited via grandfather, who collected before 1980

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.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#183020

  • Condition: This is a fragment of a larger figure as shown with losses to legs, arms, and lower body. Light earthen deposits and abrasions, otherwise in great condition. Nice preservation to feminine form. Drilled through underside of torso for mounting purpose.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

December 14, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000