Hittite Bronze Votive Couple

Culture: Hittite

Period: Mid 2nd millennium B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 5.1 cm high

Price: 1 800 Euro

Ref: 6660

Provenance: Private collection Schlauf-Lensing, Germany. Thence with Antikenkabinett Gackstätter with the list number 3773. From there acquired on 1 November 2004 by the Swiss collection Charles and Hedy Indlekofer. WIth the original certificate by Bernd Gackstätter and a copy of the invoice of 2004.

Condition: Intact

Description: Fascinating bronze statuette in form of two stylized humans, possibly a woman and a man holding each other in their arms. Both figures have cross-shaped bodies, conically tapering heads, pierced eyes and stubby arms. The left arm of the small figure is connected with the right one of the taller one. The bodies end in a joint tenon, which was stuck in a soft underground. Therefore, this kind of votive figures is also called nail idol. They were probably placed in temples, with the wish to guarantee a lifelong connection. See for the typus Agnés Spycket “The Human Form Divine. From the Collection of Elie Borowski”, Jerusalem 2000, no. 102, p. 118. As well as M. N. van Loon, D. J. W. Meijer and B. I. W. Rossmeisl “West-Azië”, Amsterdam 1989, p. 19. From Levant. Mounted.