A MESOPOTAMIAN HAEMATITE FROG BEAD
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A MESOPOTAMIAN HAEMATITE FROG BEAD

3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.

細節
A MESOPOTAMIAN HAEMATITE FROG BEAD
3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
With median line running along back, incised mouth, round eyes incised and drilled, both forelegs pierced for suspension
1¼ in. (3.2 cm.) long
注意事項
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium

拍品專文

PUBLISHED:
Animals, 1981, I, no. 4.

The frog was a symbol of fertility and was used extensively as an amulet. When made of haematite, it supposedly endowed its bearer with the ability to destroy his enemies. Another association was with Ea, the goddess of the underworld waters. Such amulets have been found around the neck of the deceased, to help the soul after death in crossing the voracious, all-devouring river at the entrance of the underworld.