Ancient Near East, The Levant, Syro-Hittite culture, ca. late 3rd to early 2nd millennium BCE. A charming example of a hand-built pottery pull toy in the shape of a fattened ram meant for a child. The bulbous plaything features a protruding head with a pointed snout, discoid eyes with slit-form pupils, and a pair of curving horns as well as an enlarged, egg-shaped body bearing rows of incise striations indicative of fur. Atop the body is a thick, cylindrical spout, and beneath is a quartet of nubbin legs with pierced holes meant to accommodate interior axles and exterior wheels. Size: 5.63" L x 2.94" W x 3.11" H (14.3 cm x 7.5 cm x 7.9 cm)

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available for $50 to the buyer. Please contact us to request.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#144176

Original axles and wheels missing as shown. Chips to snout, spout, and back left foot, with softening to some incised details, and light encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Nice preservation to zoomorphic form. TL drill holes beneath neck and belly. Old inventory label beneath belly.