Mesopotamian Faience Face Cup

GBP 750.00

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Object Description

A small rounded vessel with a female face relief. The vessel is ovoid in shape with straight sides and a small flat rim. It sits on three rounded feet, situated at the edges of its flattened base. At the apex of the oval a female face is represented. She has large almond eyes, a protruding brow bone, a triangular nose, a small mouth, and gently curved cheeks and chin. Her hair flows down the sides of her face and onto the front two feet. The figure appears to be wearing a hat or headdress which forms a short upright section around the rim. There are traces of black pigment, which would have added decoration, and a black band can be seen wrapping around the back of the head, and another crossing under the chin, perhaps representing a band or ribbon. The interior of the cup shows further traces of black but is otherwise undecorated.

Date: Circa 2nd Millenium BC

Object History

Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

Object Condition

Excellent Condition. The details of the face are still clearly visible, including hair strands and eyeballs. Some traces of the pigment remain showing extra decoration. There are some small chips and fine cracks to the vessel, especially around the rim. The faience has chipped off on the feet and some areas of disintegration and unevenness over the surface. The turquoise colour of the faience is visible in some areas but most of the surface has a brownish colour as a result of the age of the piece.

Object Details

  • dimensions
    W:4.4 x H:5.5 centimeters

Dealer Opening Times

By appointment only.

Dealer Contact

Telephone
+44 (0)208 364 4565
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+44 (0)7833231322
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Dealer Location

The Gallery
Trent Park Equestrian Centre
Eastpole Farm House, Bramley Road
Oakwood, N14 4UW, United Kingdom

St James's Ancient Art
10 Charles II Street, Ground Floor
St James
London
SW1Y 4AA

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