PAIR OF SUMERIAN STONE HEADS

Ca. 2500 - 2200 BC. A pair of finely sculpted and idealised heads of worshippers, hand-carved from creamy white calcite stone. The first head presents a calm visage with nicely contoured cheeks, a broad nose, an engraved recessed arched unibrow, and deeply recessed eye sockets, which at one time perhaps held gemstones or other semi-precious stones. She is wearing a long wig detailed with horizontal lines to imitate natural hair. The second head presents a contemplative visage with nicely contoured cheeks, a large nose, an engraved recessed arched unibrow, and deeply engraved delineated pupils. He is wearing a long wig detailed with horizontal lines to imitate natural hair. For similar see: Arte del Vicino oriente, p. 63, f. 29, Christie's, Live Auction 6060, Antiquities, lot. 305. Size: 41.6-46.4mm x 34.6-32mm; Weight: 148g Provenance: Property of an Oxfordshire art professional; previously in an old Canadian collection of F. N., Ontario, formed in the 1980s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.

Estimate: GBP 750 - 1500