Tel Brak Type Alabaster Eye Idol
Circa 3rd millennium B.C. A Tel Brak type creamy alabaster anthropomorphic eye idol, possibly of figurative female form, carved with a bell-shaped body, two 'breasts', remains of openwork 'eyes' above. 33.5 grams, 43 mm (1 5/8 in.). Acquired 1969-1999.London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent. A classic artefact type from ancient Mesopotamia. Likely hand-carved using drills and string cutting. Eye idols were so named in the 1930s by the British archaeologist Max Mallowan. Whilst excavating a mound called Tel Brak, he discovered hundreds of anthropomorphic items of similar form, thus naming the mound 'Temple of the Eyes'.