Page 105 - South East Asian Art, December 4th 2020 Galerie Zacke Galerie Zacke

Ancient Gemstone Talismans from the
Samon Valley Culture and Pyu City-States

Nos. 104-122 originate from Upper, Middle and Lower Burma
and are dated to the Bronze-Iron Transition Age (800 to 200
BC) and to the Pyu Era (200 to 1000 AD), when Buddhist
culture flourished in the Irrawaddy River basin. Talismans
imbued with magical properties are a feature of all belief
systems. They are displayed openly and activated during rituals
or kept secret, hidden from public gaze. These talismans were
personally examined by Burmese American archaeologist
and gemologist Terence Tan, a leading expert in Pyu art and
Burmese gemstones, and Hungarian gemologist Dr. József
Takács, and their analysis is featured in the respective lot
description.

104
A uNIQue sAMON VAlley AgATe ‘deITy’ TAlIsMAN

Samon Valley culture, 800 BC-200 AD. The translucent stone of a pale to iron red
color with natural dark and light inclusions, finely carved and incised to represent
a deity standing upright with the legs close together and the arms folded in front
of the chest. Pierced through the sides to allow suspension as a pendant.
This piece was personally examined by Burmese American archaeologist and
gemologist Terence Tan, a leading expert in Pyu art and Burmese gemstones,
and Hungarian gemologist Dr. József Takács. Their analysis finds that the stone
is an agate of a very rare color and the talisman is original, ancient, cut by hand
with carving, chiseling, boring, and grinding. The color is original and natural. The
stone has been cleaned in a tumbler and re-polished by hand to a smooth and
shiny surface. There are clear marks of authentic ancient craftsmanship. The
holes are ancient, handmade, irregular, and funnel-shaped. A certificate signed
by Dr. Zelnik attesting to the above will be handed to the winning bidder upon
request.
Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum.
Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.
condition: Very good condition with minor traces of age and wear.
Weight: 41.1 g
Dimensions: Height 5.2 cm

estimate euR 8,000
Starting price EUr 4,000

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