Rare Tell Brak Alabaster Eye Idol In the style of circa 3000 BC or later This alabaster carved idol features a flat base and a broad, flattened body with rounded edges, and the idol is topped with a pair of prominently worked-out eyes, circularly pierced. Tell Brak is an ancient archaeological site located in northeastern Syria, near the city of Al-Hasakah. It is one of the earliest and largest urban centres in the ancient Near East, with evidence of continuous habitation from the late fifth millennium BC to the end of the second millennium BC. Tell Brak was first excavated by Max Mallowan in the 1930s, and subsequent excavations have been conducted by various teams, including those led by David and Joan Oates from the 1970s to the early 2000s. One of the most notable structures is the Eye Temple, dating to the early third millennium BC, which contained numerous unique votive objects known as eye idols. Eye idols are small, flat, abstract figurines carved from stone, characterized by their prominent, large eyes. These artefacts, found in large quantities within the Eye Temple, suggest a significant aspect of religious practice at Tell Brak, potentially symbolizing protective or watchful deities. The exact function and meaning of these idols remain subjects of scholarly debate, but their ubiquitous presence indicates their importance in the ritual life of the inhabitants. Dimensions: 125mm x 85mm; weight 1.07kg Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old British collection formed in the 1990s. Disclaimer: NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. All items will be shipped from Belgium. The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits. The seller will not ship outside the EU.