Lot 46B
Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumerian, Early Dynastic Period, ca. 2900 to 2350 BCE. A quietly elegant Sumerian vessel carved from fine limestone, its surface smoothed to a soft matte sheen, exuding the timeless gravitas of early Mesopotamian ritual craftsmanship. The body swells with confident roundness, rising into a short, subtly shouldered neck and culminating in a dramatically flared rim - a design that marries visual harmony with functional balance. The pale stone, gently variegated in creamy ochres and earthen tones, reflects the tactile sensibility of its maker, who hollowed the vessel by hand using a rotary drill. Remarkably, the base of the interior still bears seven distinct impressions - ghostly echoes of the original drilling process, preserved like the fingerprint of ancient labor. These marks not only confirm its manufacture by hand-powered tools, but also serve as rare physical testimony to early Sumerian stoneworking techniques. Size: 5.6" Diameter x 4.7" H (14.2 cm x 11.9 cm)
Stone jars such as this were prized in temple and tomb contexts, where they likely served to hold offerings of oil, perfume, or sacred water. Their value derived not only from the durability and subtle luster of the material, but also from the intensive labor required to shape them without metal tools. Examples of this form are found in the archaeological record at key city-states including Uruk, Ur, and Nippur, often associated with elite burials or votive hoards. With its harmonious form, restrained finish, and surviving tool marks, this vessel stands as both a utilitarian object and a quiet marvel of early Mesopotamian engineering.
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
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#196188
- Condition: Repair to rim with restoration over break lines. A few small nicks in areas and minor chips to rim, but, otherwise, excellent presentation with smooth surfaces and nice remaining drill marks on interior.
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| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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