EARLY CYCLADIC, CIRCA 3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.

Details

FOUR CYCLADIC STONE AND SHELL GRINDERS
EARLY CYCLADIC, CIRCA 3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
2 in. (5 cm.) long max.

Provenance

Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris and Geneva; thence by descent to the present owner.

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve. These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Brought to you by

Laetitia Delaloye

ldelaloye@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3018

Lot Essay

For similar grinders in coloured stones, cf. J. Thimme, Art and Culture of Cyclades, Chicago and London, 1977, p. 548, no. 469.
The function of these objects is still debated. While they are usually described as tools, possibly involved in the production of metals, Thimme has suggested that they might have been used as headrests for the idols.

More from Antiquities

View All