Ca. 3rd-2nd millennium BC.
Crafted with meticulous intention, this vessel bears the distinctive attributes of a rather shallow composition, its base impeccably flat, while the walls bestow a delicately tapering ascent towards its graceful opening. Yet, it is the sumptuous embellishments that bestow upon this bowl an ethereal aura. Adorning the side wall of this vessel, a symphony of low-relief carvings evokes a tableau of aesthetic splendour. Two stylized birds, meticulously rendered, engage in a silent duet as they face one another, their forms invoking an air of serenity. Between these avian sentinels, a tree or bush emerges. Each carving, hewn with precision, encapsulates an exquisite narrative within the stone canvas. As light plays upon the undulating surface, the subtle chiaroscuro of the relief creates a dance of shadows, enriching the narrative quality of the composition. This bowl, once a vessel of functional significance, now stands as an embodiment of the aesthetic aspirations of ancient artisans, a bridge between time and form.
Size: L:65mm / W:150mm ; 1480g
Provenance: Property of a West London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/International art market in the 1990s.