Lot 882
A rare androgynous stone idol, Near East, 3rd–2nd millennium BC
Works of Art, Antiquities & Ancient Art | A108kua | Live auction | 490 Lots
Description
Expressively stylized body. The head finely depicted with hairline, eyes, nose, and mouth. Slightly widened female pelvic region. Both female and male sexual features are clearly defined: the pair of breasts and a short, stiff phallus standing almost vertically at the bottom. 7.9 cm high. Weight: 58.6 gr. - Androgynous idols unite the opposing principles of the feminine and masculine in one being, thereby symbolizing an ideal, divine perfection and originality. Such beings, endowed with creative power, are part of numerous prehistoric legends about the creation of the world. Figurative idols that bear witness to their cult worship are extremely rare.Literature: Cf. Andrea Raehs, Zur Ikonographie des Hermaphroditen. Begriff und Problem von Hermaphroditismus und Androgynie in der Kunst. Phil. Diss. Aachen 1987. pp. 30-34. Ursula Prinz, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein (ed.), Androgyn. Sehnsucht nach Vollkommenheit. Berlin 1987.Provenance: Provenance: South German private collection of Prof. Dr. P.M.R., previously collection of Prof. Dr. W. D., Berlin, acquired by the latter between 1960 and 1980 on the German art market.
Condition: I - II Questions about the lot?
