Babylonian Bronze Situla, 1000 BCE - 800 BCE
Bronze
5.5
SK.049
This intricate bronze situla is of slightly waisted cylindrical form with a rounded nipple base set in the centre of a repoussé rosette. The body is decorated with a procession...
This intricate bronze situla is of slightly waisted cylindrical form with a rounded nipple base set in the centre of a repoussé rosette. The body is decorated with a procession of votaries walking in profile. The two figures with long hair and short-sleeved belted dresses may possibly be female. A shorter bearded male behind wears a ribbed conical hat and all three figures have their hands outstretched towards an altar. Behind this stands a tall bearded male holding a sceptre and wearing a large domed hat and a long skirt with punched decoration. The figurative scene is bordered above and below by a band of guilloche decoration.
References:
O. White-Muscarella, ‘Bronze and Iron, Ancient Near Eastern Artefacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,’ (New York, 1988), pp. 244-7, nos. 342-3.
P.R.S. Moorey, ‘Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Adam Collection,’ (London, 1974), p. 153, fig. 135.
References:
O. White-Muscarella, ‘Bronze and Iron, Ancient Near Eastern Artefacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,’ (New York, 1988), pp. 244-7, nos. 342-3.
P.R.S. Moorey, ‘Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Adam Collection,’ (London, 1974), p. 153, fig. 135.
Provenance
Acquired on the Austrian Art Market between 1975-1985. Accompanied by an Austrian export licence.Bonham's, London, Sale #15216, Lot #217, 26 Oct 2007
Literature
Cf. O. White-Muscarella, Bronze and Iron, Ancient Near Eastern Artefacts in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, (New York 1988), p.244-7, nos. 342-3; and P.R.S. Moorey, Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Adam Collection (London 1974), p. 153, fig 135. Moorey suggests that such vessels were largely the property of Babylonian aristocrats and were likely to have been the product of a single workshop in Eastern Babylonia.14
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