Page 108 - South East Asian Art, December 4th 2020 Galerie Zacke Galerie Zacke

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A RARe sAMON VAlley OR eARly Pyu
ROcK cRysTAl ‘deITy’ TAlIsMAN

Samon Valley Culture or early Pyu city-states, 8th century BC-5th century AD.
The translucent stone of good clarity with few natural inclusions, finely carved to
represent a deity standing upright with a distinctive broad nose and prominent
buttocks, the legs close together and the arms folded below 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 a rock crystal and the talisman is original, ancient, cut by hand with carving,
chiseling, boring, and grinding. The color is original and natural. There are no
traces of dye in the recesses of the stone. The stone has been cleaned in a
tumbler and re-polished by hand using organic oil. There are clear marks of
authentic ancient craftsmanship and use of primitive tools. 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: 16.5 g
Dimensions: Height 5.8 cm

estimate euR 3,000
Starting price EUr 1,500

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