73 - A LARGE AND RARE BACTRIAN ALABASTER MONKEY, 2ND MILLENNIUM BC

A LARGE AND RARE BACTRIAN ALABASTER MONKEY, 2ND MILLENNIUM BC Oxus Civilization. Boldly carved as a stylized crouching simian, the torso hunched forward, with truncated forepaws and rising to a rounded head. The abstracted face is marked by a pair of incised circular eyes, a flattened muzzle with a straight mouthline, and pointed ears resting close against the head. The finely polished, opaque stone is of a creamy yellow tone, with natural inclusions, orange and light-brown shading. Provenance: A private collection in Switzerland, acquired prior to 1971. Collection of Joseph Uzan, Gallery Samarcande, Paris, France, acquired from the above. A copy of the invoice, dated 2 December 2011, confirming the attribution and dating above, for a group of three alabaster monkeys, including the present lot, accompanies this lot. Joseph Uzan was a Paris-based antiquities dealer and collector and the founder of Galerie Samarcande, established in 1973 at 13 rue des Saints-Pères in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. Over several decades, he developed a particular passion and scholarly expertise in archaeological material and works of art from the ancient Mediterranean, the Near East, and the Islamic world. Through Galerie Samarcande, Uzan became an established figure in the international antiquities trade, maintaining close relationships with notable private collectors, dealers, and public institutions, and handling numerous works that subsequently entered major museum collections, including the Musée du Louvre, the Musée Guimet, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Princeton University Art Museum. From 2013 onwards, the direction of the gallery passed progressively to his daughter, Sabrina Uzan-Kaminski, who continued the family activity in archaeology and ancient art. Condition: Good condition, with expected wear, traces of weathering and erosion, signs of prolonged burial, old repairs, including at the neck and right leg, old fills, and scattered small chips. The stone with natural fissures, some of which have developed into fine hairline cracks. Considering the age of the piece, approximately 3,000-4,000 years, its overall state of preservation is exceptional. Weight: 4.6 kg (excl. stand), 4.8 kg (incl. stand) Dimensions: Height 27.2 cm (excl. stand), 28.8 cm (incl. stand) With an associated wood stand. (2) Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 6 December 2007, lot 64 Price: USD 7,500 or approx. EUR 10,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Bactrian alabaster seated monkey, circa 2nd millennium BC Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, and manner of carving. Note the smaller size (20.3 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 11 December 2003, lot 108 Price: USD 15,535 or approx. EUR 25,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Bactrian calcite-alabaster idol, circa 2nd millennium BC Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling, with similar facial features, manner of carving, and stone. Note the smaller size (19.4 cm). Due to length restriction on Drouot this entry is shortened. For full description please visit www.zacke.at.