Lot 15
  • 15

A Sumerian Gypsum Alabaster Head of a Woman, Early Dynastic II/III, circa 2700-2500 B.C.

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
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Description

  • A Sumerian Gypsum Alabaster Head of a Woman
  • Height 4 in. 10.2 cm.
from a large votive statuette, her oval face with full chin, aquiline nose, large recessed eyes with one steatite inlay remaining, and grooved eyebrows meeting over the bridge of the nose, her elaborate striated coiffure arranged in an large chignon at the back.

Provenance

Nicolas Koutoulakis, Geneva, acquired prior to 1950
acquired by the present owner on the New York art market in the late 1970s/early 1980s

Literature

Sotheby's, New York, The Stansfeld Collection of Ancient Art, December 2nd, 1988, no. 37, illus.
Sotheby's, New York, December 7th, 2001, no. 146, illus.

Condition

Fragmentary as shown, neck repaired, top of head repaired across right eye and bridge of nose, area of fill above left temple, chignon with many cracks and several pieces put back, right side of head and back of chignon missing, nose and other areas abraded, some bitumen still adhering to surface
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Cf. Encyclopédie photographique de l'art. Le Musée du Louvre, Paris, 1935, p. 205, B and C, and O. Muscarella. Ladders to Heaven: Art Treasures from Lands of the Bible, Toronto, 1981, no. 26, color pl. XX.