Lot 84B
Sumerian Stone Duck Amulet with Star Motif
Sumerian Stone Duck Amulet with Star Motif
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Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumer, ca. 3rd millennium BCE. A finely carved and compact greenstone amulet in the form of a stylized duck, rendered with a rounded body, sharp beak, and incised eye, pierced horizontally for suspension. The underside is flat and bears a crisply incised eight-pointed star, likely a symbol of the goddess Inanna (later Ishtar), associated with love, war, and the celestial planet Venus. The duck was a frequent motif in Sumerian art, often linked to fertility and the life-giving abundance of marshlands that bordered the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This particular form, nestled and abstracted in profile, may have served both an apotropaic and symbolic function. The incised star adds celestial protection and divine favor, marking this as more than mere ornament. Size: 1.1" L x 0.6" W x 0.8" H (2.8 cm x 1.5 cm x 2 cm)
Carried or worn on the body, such talismans were believed to offer their bearer guidance, safety, and the blessing of divine forces. The drilled suspension hole, expertly bored through the body behind the eye, testifies to its use as a personal amulet, perhaps hung on a cord or sewn into clothing. Comparable examples appear in Sumerian grave goods and personal adornments, where animal-shaped amulets were common. The dual iconography of duck and star links this piece to themes of life, protection, and sacred femininity.
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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#195995
- Condition: Some light surface wear commensurate with age, but, otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable.
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| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |