CHALCOLITHIC PERIOD, CIRCA 3500-2500 B.C.

Details

A CYPRIOT PALE GREEN PICROLITE IDOL
CHALCOLITHIC PERIOD, CIRCA 3500-2500 B.C.
Cruciform, with legs together and arms outstretched, the fingers indicated by notches, and with rudimentary facial features
2 ¾ in. (6.9 cm.) high

Provenance

with N. Koutoulakis, Geneva.
Private collection, Europe, acquired from the above in 1979; and thence by descent to the present owner.

Special notice

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

Georgiana Aitken

gaitken@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3002

Lot Essay

Cruciform idols, often in this stone, are prevalent during this period, ranging in size up to 15 cm. They have been found in both female and child burials, suggesting that they could be associated with childbirth or fertility. The most famous idol of the type is The Idol of Pomos, in the Cyprus Archaeological Museum in Lefkosia. For a discussion of similar idols see J. M. Eisenberg, 'Chalcolithic Cyprus', Minerva, May 1990, pp. 13-16.

More from Antiquities

View All