Domestic & Heavenly
Goddesses
HOWARD NOWES ANCIENT ART
By Appointment
1220 Broadway - Suite 405, New York, N.Y. 10001 U.S.A.
Tel (917) 733-4165 or (917) 339-0620 Fax (917) 339-0621
www.howardnowes.com email: howard.nowes@verizon.net
Howard Nowes Ancient Art
Domestic & Heavenly Goddesses
Early history yields powerful evidence of mother goddess cults. Many of the early creation myths
depict the creator as female. Although all goddesses can be referred to as mother, not all are maternal.
The female has her active roles as protector, lover, worshipper, and daughter. Beginning with the famous
paleolithic Venus found in the Dolni caves of the Czech Republic, in ancient Middle Eastern religions and
later in Greece, Rome, and Western Asia, the mother goddess is a symbol of the earth's fertility. As the
creative force in nature, she was worshiped under many names, including Astarte, Ceres, Cybele, Demeter,
Ishtar, Isis and the Magna Mater. Many ancient cultures celebrated their religion with festivals in which
they offered gifts to their women, divine and domestic. When a person died their tomb was filled with
grave goods, including female images as votive offerings, decorations and beloved tokens of their time on
earth. Tombs, temples and middens have preserved many of the lovely ladies presented to you in this exhibition. These precious figures are not just beautiful to behold, but they also played a key role in myth,
religion and daily life.
The Asian pantheon is filled with multiple female goddesses from heaven and earth - whether it
is Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or the Indus river valley civilizations that preceded all of them. In India, one of
the earliest goddesses depicted is Durga, manifested as a protective Mother Goddess. Later are images of
Yamunda, Yakshi a benevolent female, and a river-goddess called Ganga. There are beautiful female
Tantric Buddhist images such as Tara, Savari or the spouse in a Yab Yum embrace. Then in the Khmer
culture of Cambodia, the goddesses are depicted as alluring and celestial maidens with long skirts and full
bosoms.
Also, the female form is proudly represented in tribal art through ancestor worship and in societal rites. These women are seen as the cornerstones of their respective societies, and they are depicted as
generally nude, with full breasts and protruding navels. In West Africa, the Mende Tribe has a powerful
and sacred female Bundu society in which the helmet masks all depict females. In the Ivory Coast, the
women of the Dan culture are especially admired for their domestic skills. Here they are presented with
a wunkirle, an oversized, wooden spoon featuring a strong female carving as the handle.
Many remarkable female representations also hail from Latin America. I am especially proud to
present an exquisite group of Tlatilco female figurines from the central highlands of Pre Columbian
Mexico. They are charming bare breasted, wide hipped, and smiling ladies. This Tlatilco site yielded
almost in its entirety small pottery female figurines or Pretty Ladies, as they have become known.
Additionally, I am pleased to exhibit four excellent examples of red painted Early Chupicuaro females
from a New York Collection. These bold geometric figures yield from West Mexico and exemplify the
characteristic style of the culture. Tribute must be paid to Ecuador, where the Valdivian Venuses are the
earliest form of human representation in the Americas, long before the Chavin in Peru or the Olmec in
Mexico.
This exhibition contains an exciting collection of ceramic, stone, wood and bronze females ranging from the early Indus Valley to African tribal carvings and ceramic figurines from the Americas, spanning over five millennia of history. It was a joy to produce this catalog, which not only is a display of a
variety of affordable sculptures of the female as she is proudly represented, but a heartfelt tribute to the
timeless Feminine Divine. Today, her context should be in your collection.
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Howard Nowes Ancient Art
EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
1. Amlash Steatopygous Terracotta Stylized
Goddess with wide hips, Northern Iran,
Protohistoric Period, Early 1st Millennium
BC. 6-3/8 in (16cm)H. Ex Israel Collector.
2. Amlash Steatopygous Terracotta Stylized
Goddess with duck bill head, Iran, Ca. 1st
Millennium BC.
6-3/8 (16.5cm) in H. Ex Israel Collector.
3. Amlash Steatopygous Terracotta Stylized
Goddess with wide hips, Northern Iran,
Early 1st Millennium BC. 5-7/8 in (14.5cm)
H. Ex Harvard University Art Museum.
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4. Mesopotamian Pottery Goddess Astarte, hands to chest, hair in rows, Ca. 2nd Millennium BC. 5 in H.
5. Mesopotamian Pottery Goddess Astarte, hands clasp to chest, Ca. 2nd Millennium BC. 3-1/2 in (8.7cm)H.
6. Chandraketugarh Pottery Bowl with procession of Godesses in Relief, Indus Valley, Ca. 200 BC/AD. 4-1/2in H. x 4-1/4in W
7. Mesopotamian Pottery Plaque of the Goddess Astarte, press molded, she stands with her hands to chest.
Ca. 1st Millennium BC. 5-1/8 in (12.8cm) H.
8. Mehrgarh Pottery Bust of a Goddess, Indus Valley, Ca. 2600 to 2500 BC. 3-3/8 in (6.8cm)L. Ex NY Doctors Collection.
9. Mehrgarh Enthroned Pottery Mother Goddess, Indus Valley, Ca. 2600 to 2500 BC. 3-7/8 in (9.9cm)L. Ex NY Doctor’s
Collection.
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10. Persian Bronze Kohl Vessel in the form of a nude standing female, possibly
a goddess, very fine facial features. Iran, Ca. 1800 BC. 5-1/2 in (14cm)H. Ex US
Collection.
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11. Chandraketugarh Grey Black Terracotta Standing Mother Goddess, lavishly
adorned with floral appliques, Western India, Ca. 200 BC. 10-1/4 in (36cm)H.
Cp. P. Pal, Indian Sculpture, Vol I, for the type.
12. Large Egyptian Green Faience Plaque of Isis, Late Period, Ca. 715 BC.
Mother Goddess of life, enthroned in profile and holding a magical ankh.
4-1/2 in. (11.25cm). Ex New Jersey Collection.
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Howard Nowes Ancient Art
ANCIENT EGYPT
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13. Beautiful Egyptian Bronze Striding Lioness Headed
Sekhmet, Goddess of war and passion, Late Period, Ca.
715 to 30 BC. 8-3/8 in (21cm)H. Ex US Private
Collection.
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14. Egyptian Polychrome Wood Sarcophagus Painted
Panel with the Goddess Isis, Third Intermediate
Period, Ca. 700 to 675 BC. 54in (135cm)H. Cf.
Mummies & Magic, MFA Boston, 1998, no. 125b.
Howard Nowes Ancient Art
-5ANCIENT GREECE & MAGNA GRAECIA
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15. Egyptian Carved Brown Stone Standing Nude Concubine, Middle Kingdom, Ca. 2133 to 1797 BC. 3¾in. (9.5cm)H. Ex
Hugh Stanley Russell Collection, England, acquired ca. 1950s.
16. Egyptian Bronzes Seated Maat, Goddess of Truth, Late Period, Ca. 715 BC. 2in.(5cm)H. Ex Hugh Stanley Russell Collection.
17. Egyptian Bronze Profile Goddess Plaque, 3rd Intermediate Period, Ca. 1070 to 656 BC. 2-3/8in. (6.2cm)H.
18. Attic Black Figure Belly Amphora with the Goddess Nike, Ca. 540 to 530 BC. 10-1/8 in (26 cm)H. Ex C.A. Geneva,
Switzerland Collection. Thermoluminescence test positive for authenticity.
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19. Apulian Red-Figure Pottery Squat Lekythos, decorated in added white pigment with a female Lady of Fashion head in profile
wearing earings, her hair in a headdress. South Italy, Ca. 4th Century BC. 3½ in. (8.5cm)H.
20. Apulian Red-Figure Pottery Plate decorated with a female head in profile. South Italy, Ca. 350 BC. 5in (12.5cm)D.
21. Apulian Red-Figure Pottery Mug with Heraklese knot handle; decorated with a female head in profile. South Italy, Ca. 4th
Century BC. 3-3/4 in (10cm)H. Ex German Collection.
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Howard Nowes Ancient Art
ANCIENT GREECE & MAGNA GRAECIA
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22. Apulian Red-Figure Bell Krater attributed to the A.V. Group decorated with a female
running, Ca. 4th Century BC. 7-1/8in (17.8cm) H. Ex. Michigan private collection. Ex
Sotheby's Parke Bernet, New York, May 19th, 1979, no. 162.
23. Attic Red-Figure Lekythos in the Manner of The Bowdin Painter, decorated with a draped
female worshippers at an altar. Greece, Ca. 5th Century BC. 10-5/8in. (27cm)H. Ex
European Collection.
24. Paestan Red-Figure Bell Krater decorated with a female head in profile, the other side
with a nude running satyr. South Italy, Ca. 350 BC. 6¼ in. (15.9 cm)H. Ex John Kluge's
Morven Collection.
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25. Greek Terracotta Standing Goddess, holding ritual implements and wearing pink painted headdress, Boeation, Early
Classical Period, Ca. 5th Century BC. 12 in. (30cm.) H. Cf R. Higgins, Tanagra and the Figurine, page 121. Ex London Collection.
26. Greek Tanagra Terracotta Standing Draped Female with remains of gesso, Hellenistic, Ca. 3rd Century BC. 8 in. (20cm) H
27. Greek Sheet Gold & Garnet Appliqué depicting the head of the Goddess Medusa, Hellenistic, Ca. 3rd to 2nd Century BC.
2-1/4 in (5.6cm) diam. across danglers.
28. Roman Agate Cameo Engraved with the bust of a woman in profile, Ca. 2nd to 3rd Century AD. 15/16 in (2.2cm) H.
Howard Nowes Ancient Art
-7ANCIENT ROMAN EMPIRE
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two views
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29. Roman Marble Female Head, Ca. 1st Century AD. A well executed serene female
head, possibly a portrait, with hair deliberately upswept in a Herakeles knot atop her
head and tied behind at the nape of her neck. This hair style and the shape of the
face resemble the Capitoline Aphrodite of the Graeco- Roman period. Further, her
exquisite head is reminiscent of the famous Praxiteles style and sculptural technique. The ears are also drilled in the same manner as the Metropolitan Museum of
Art's Head of A Women from a Funeral Monument. 10-1/2 in (26cm)H. Ex New
York Collection.
30. Roman Marble Venus Gentrix, Provincial Roman, Ca. 1st to 2nd Century AD.
She stands with Eros by her side, loose drapery falling from left shoulder. 13-1/4 in
(33.2cm) H. Ex New York Collection.
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PRE COLUMBIAN ART OF MEXICO
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31. Chupicuaro Pottery Polychrome Painted Standing Female, Pre Classic Mexico, Ca. 500 BC to 1 AD. 7 in (17.8 cm)H. Ex
NY Private Collection, acquired approximately 20 years ago.
32. Chupicuaro Pottery Standing Female, Mexico, Ca. 500 BC to 1 AD. 9-3/4 in (24.7 cm)H. Ex NY Collection.
33. Superb Chupicuaro Pottery Standing Female, Mexico, Ca. 500 BC to 1 AD. 9 in (22.8 cm)H. Ex NY Collection.
34. Chupicuaro Pottery Standing Female, Mexico, Ca. 500 BC to 1 AD. 5-1/4 in (13.3cm)H. Ex Canadian Collection.
35. Chupicuaro Pottery Pretty
Lady, Pre Classic Mexico, Ca.
500 to 300 BC. 4-3/8in
(11.cm)H. Compare similar
example in Little People of the
Earth, Ceramic Figures from
Ancient America Denver Art
Museum, 1991, no. 29.
36. Chupicuaro H-4 Type
Pretty Lady, Ca. 500 to 300
BC. 4 in (10cm)H. Compare
similar examples in Man Eaters
and Pretty Ladies, Early art in
Central Mexico from the Gulf
to the Pacific, 1500 BC to 500
AD; Montreal Museum of
Art.
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37. Chupicuaro Pottery Seated
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Pretty Lady, Ca. 500 to 300 BC. Molded slant eyed female with centrally parted hair and remains of applied red and white
pigment. 2-3/8 in (5.9cm)H.
38. Chupicuaro H-4 Type Nude Standing and Painted Pretty Lady, Ca. 500 to 300 BC. 3in (7.5cm)H. Ex NY Collection.
39. Chupicuaro Guanajuato Type Nude Painted Miniature Pretty Lady, Mexico, Ca. 500 to 300 BC 2in (5cm)H.
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40. Tlatilco Pottery D-1 Type Pretty Lady, Middle Preclassic, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. Central Highlands, Mexico. 4-1/4in (10.6cm)H.
Ex Guy Wilcox Collection. Compare similar example in The Jaguar's Children: Pre-Classic Central Mexico. by Michael Coe, Museum
of Primitive Art, NY. 1965.
41. Tlatilco Pottery D-4 Type Pretty Lady with fillet hairdo, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. 3 1/2in (8.9 cm)H.Ex Dr. M. Silverman Collection.
42. Tlatilco Pottery D-4 Type Pretty Lady, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. 4-1/8in (10.5cm)H. Ex Israeli Collection.
43. Tlatilco Pottery D-4 Pretty Lady, Middle Preclassic Mexico, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. 2-1/2 in (6.2cm) H.Ex Collection of Drs. Mimi
and Milton Levin, N.J. Ex. Sotheby's NY, March 3, 1978, lot 70.
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44. Tlatilco Pottery Seated D-1 Type Pretty Lady, Ca. 1200 to 500 B.C. 2-3/4 in (6.8cm)H. Ex New York Collection.
45. Tlatilco Pottery Seated D-1 Type Pretty Lady Vessel, Ca. 1200 to 500 B.C. 2-3/4 in (6.8cm)H. Ex Haski Collection NY.
46. Tlatilco Pottery D-1 Type Pretty Lady, Ca. 1200 to 500 B.C. 4-5/8 in (11.5cm)H. Ex NY Collection.
47. Chupicuro Pottery Female Rattle, hollow center and with traces of pigment remaining. Ca. 500 to 300 BC. 3-3/4in (9.5cm)H.
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48. Tlatilco Pottery D-1 Type Pretty Lady, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. 4-1/8in (10.3cm)H. Ex NY. Collection.
49. Tlatilco Pottery D-2 Type Pretty Lady, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. 4-3/8in (11cm)H. Ex Israeli Collection.
50. Tlatilco Pottery D-1 Type Pretty Lady, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. 4-1/4in (10.6cm)H. Ex Canadian Collection. DMM.
51. Tlatilco Pottery D-1 Type Pretty Lady, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. 4-1/4in (10.6cm)H. Ex Israeli Collection.
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52. Tlatilco Miniature Pottery D-4 Type Pretty Lady, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. 2-1/2(6.3cm)H. Ex New York Collection.
53. Tlatilco Pottery D-1 Type Pretty Lady, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. 3 in (7.5cm) H. Ex New York Collection.
54. Tlatilco Miniature Pottery D-1 Type Miniature Pretty Lady, Ca. 1200 to 500 BC. 2-1/4 in (5.6cm)H. Ex US Collection.
55. Colima Autlan Seated Female Effigy Figure, Tuxcacuesco Ortizes Style, Ca. 200 BC to 300 AD. 2-1/4in (5.6cm)H.
56. Colima Autlan Standing Feamle Effigy Figure, Tuxcacuesco Ortizes Style, Ca. 200 BC to 300 AD. 3in (7.5cm)H.
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57. Chinesca Seated Polychrome Female with arms to knees, Nayarit, West Mexico, Ca. 300 BC to 200 AD. 6-1/2in (16.25cm) H.
58. Chinesca Seated Polychrome Female with legs splayed, Nayarit, West Mexico, Ca. 300 BC to 200 AD. 6-1/2in (16.25cm) H.
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59. Olmec Pottery Female Figure, Las Bocas Mexico, Ca. 1100 to 5-3/8 in (13.4cm) H. Ex NY Collection.
60. Colima Standing Female Figure, West Mexico, Ca. 200 BC to 300 AD. 6-3/4in (17.1cm) H.Ex Collection Hans Taschl.
61. Colima Standing Effigy Female Figure, West Mexico, Ca. 200 BC to 300 AD. 5-5/8 in (14cm) H. Ex NY Collection.
62. Colima Standing Effigy Female Figure, West Mexico, Ca. 200 BC to 300 AD. 6in (15.2cm) H. Ex NY Collection.
63. Colima Standing Effigy Female Figure, West Mexico, Ca. 200 BC to 300 AD. 4-3/4 in (11.8cm)H. Ex NY Collection.
64. Colima Standing Effigy Female Figure, West Mexico, Ca. 200 BC to 300 AD. 3-1/4in (8.2cm)H. Ex Collection Hans Taschl.
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65. Chinesca Type E White Painted Kneeling Female, Protoclassic, Ca. 100 BC to 300 AD. 10-3/4 in (27.3cm)H. Compare Out
of Depths, no 14 for the type. Ex New York
Collection.
66. Jalisco Ameca White Painted Seated
Female, Protoclassic Period, Ca. 100 BC. to
250 AD. 13 in.(33cm) H. Ex Massachusetts
Collection.
67. Nayarit Seated Female Mexico, Ixtlan
Del Rio Style, Protoclassic, Ca. 100 BC to
300 AD. 10-1/2 in (26.3cm)H. Ex Collection
New York.
68. Zapotec Seated Figural Urn of the
Goddess, 13 Serpent, Monte Alban, Oaxaca,
Mexico, Epochs II and IIIa, Ca. 100 to 200
AD. 6-1/2 in. (16.2cm)H. Cp Boos, ‘The
Ceramic Sculpture of Ancient Oaxaca’ for
Urns of this category.
69. Mixtec Stone Carved Goddess of
Flowers, Postclassic Mexico, Ca 14th
Century AD. 7 in (7.8cm) H.
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PRE COLUMBIAN ECUADOR
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70. Valdivian Stone Abstract Female Figure, Ecuador, Earliest Horizon, Ca. 2500 to 2000 BC. 6-1/8 in (15.5cm)H. Cf a similar figure in
Masters of the Americas, In Praise of the Pre-Columbian Artists, The Dora and Paul Janssen Collection.
71. Valdivian/Chorrera Carved Stone Crouching Female Figure, possibly a Birthing Scene, Ca. 2000 to 1000 BC. 4 in (10cm)H.
72. Valdivian Stone Abstract Female Figure, Ecuador, Earliest Horizon, Ca. 2500 to 2000 BC. 5-5/8 in (14.5cm)H.
73. Valdivian Terracotta Venus, Ecuador, Earliest Horizon, Ca. 2500 to 2000 BC. 5-5/8in. (14.2cm)H. This figurine is from the culture
where the earliest representations of pottery figurines have thus far been found in the new world.
74. Valdivian Terracotta Double Headed Venus, Ecuador, Earliest Horizon, Ca. 2500 to 2000 BC. This effigy illustrated the rare concept of
dualism, prevalent in Pre Columbian art.. 4 in (10cm)H. Ex New Jersey Collection. Extremely rare.
75. Valdivian Terracotta Female Venus,
Ecuador, Phase III, Ca. 2300 to 2000 BC.
3-1/4 in (8.2cm)H.
76. Machililla Stylized Standing Female
Figure, Ecuador, Ca. 2000 to 1000 BC. 7-7/8
in (19cm) H. Cp. Amerindian Signs, for an
almost identical example.
77. Chorrera Painted Pottery Female White
Angel, Ecuador Ca. 800 to 500 BC. 16in
(40cm)H. Cp. A. Lapiner, Pre Columbian Art
of South America, 1976, Abrams for similar
examples.
78. Chorrera Female Figure, Ca. 800 to 500
BC. Beautifully rendered face with ear
spools, headdress and a mask in black pigment for highlight. 6-1/ 4in (15.6cm)H.
79. Chorrera Terracotta Standing Female
Figure with swirl headdress, Ca. 800 to 500
BC. 5-3/8 in (13.4cm)H.
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80. Guanguala Terracotta Female Beautifully Painted Ocarina Figure, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 11-1/2 in (29 cm)H.
81. Large Abstract Guanguala Terracotta Standing Female Ocarina Figure, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 17-1/2 in (45cm) H.
82. Guanguala Terracotta Mother Holding a Child Ocarina Figure, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 13-5/8 in (64.6 cm) H.
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83. Jamacoaque Terracotta Female figure with lovely polychrome painted details, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 8-1/4 in(20.9cm.) H.
84. Fine Jamacoaque Painted and Burnished Female figure, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 10-5/8in (27.cm) H.
85. Jamacoaque Burnished Votive Female with painted details, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 8in (20.3cm) H.
86. Bahia Pottery Polychrome painted female, ample polychrome remains. Ecuador, Ca. 300 to 500 AD. 6-1/4in (15.6cm) H.
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87. Fine Jamacoaque Painted Female Effigy with high openworked headdress, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. Marvelous unique example.
14-3/8in (36.5cm)H.
88. Large and Impressive Jamacoaque Terracotta Painted Female Effigy, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 17in (43cm)H.Compare PreColumbian Art of South America by Alan Lapiner for this type.
89. Jamacoaque Female Standing Votive Figure, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. Painted and with ornate headdress. 11-3/4in (29.3cm)H.
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90. Jamacoaque Pottery Mother and Child, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 5 in (12.5cm)H.
91. Jamacoaque Pottery Seated Female, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 5-1/4 in (13.3cm)H. Ex New York Collection.
92. Jamacoaque Pottery Seated Figure Holding Casket, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 5-3/8in (13.6 cm)H.
93. Jamacoaque Pottery Mother and Child, Ecuador, Ca. 500 AD. 5 in (12.9cm) H.
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PRE COLUMBIAN VENEZUELA AND PERU
94. Venezuelan Pottery Female Figure, Ca. 1000 to 1500 AD. 2in (5.1cm) H.
95. Venezuelan Pottery Female Figure, Ca. 800 to 1500 AD. 2-1/8 in (5.6cm)H.
96. Venezuelan Pottery Female Figure, Ca. 800 to 1500 AD. 2-3/8 in (6cm)H.
97. Venezuelan Pottery Female Figure, Ca. 1000 to 1500 AD. 2 in (5cm)H.
98. Venezuelan Pottery Female Figure, Ca. 1000 to 1500 AD. 1-7/8 in (4.5cm)H.
99. Chavin Seated Female Figural Vessel with bowl atop her head, North Coast Peru,
Tembladera, Ca. 700 to 400 BC. 8-1/2 in(21cm) H.
100. Nazca Polychrome Pottery Vessel in the Form of a Female, Peru South Coast,
Ca. 400 AD. 3-3/4in (9.3cm)H. Ex. Jean-Eugene Lions Collection, Switzerland.
101. Nazca Polychrome Painted Pottery Female, Ca. 400 AD. Lavish decorative scheme
to entire body. 2-3/4 in (6.8cm) H. Ex California Collection.
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102. Nazca Miniature Polychrome Painted Pottery Female Figure, Ca. 400 AD. 2-5/8in
(6.5cm)H. Ex. Jean-Eugene Lions collection, Geneva, Switzerland
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103. Ica Chincha Pottery Tri-Color Female
Fertility Doll, North Coast, Ca. 900 to
1100AD. 6-1/2in (16.4 cm) H. Ex Va
Collection.
104. Ica Chincha Pottery Tri-Color Female
Fertility Doll, Ca. 900 to 1100 AD. 7-1/4in
(18.4 cm) H.
105. Ica Chincha Pottery Female Fertility
Figure, Ca. 900 to 1100 AD. 6-5/8in
(16.8cm)H.
106. Ica Cincha Pottery Tri-Color Female
Fertility Doll, Ca. 900 to 1100 AD. 5-1/4in
(13.4cm)H.
107. Chancay Large Standing Bi-Chrome
Female Cuchimilco, North Coast Peru, Ca.
1100 to 1400 AD. 21-1/4 in (53.1cm)H.
108. Inca Solid Silver Female Figure, Ca.
1470 to 1532 AD. Cast with hands held to
chest and with striated coiffure and lovely
facial features. 2 in (5cm)H. Ex Collection
Marcel
Ebnother,
Schaffhausen,
Switzerland.
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Howard Nowes Ancient Art
MEDIEVAL INDIAN & ASIAN ART
110 front and back
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109. Pala Stone Mothergoddess Stele of Durga, North India, Ca. 9th to 10th Century
AD. She sits enthroned with multi-arms holding attributes, her leg rests on a small
curled lion at her feet. 34 in. (86 cm) H. Ex European Collection. Impressive & early.
110. Khmer Bronze Standing Image of the Goddess Uma, Cambodia, Ca. 12th Century
AD. 8-3/4 in (21.8cm)H. Uma is an ancient Mountain-goddess, who shows us how to
balance our many aspects, and is glorified in Indian literature and sculptures as being
beautiful and as a mediator in the conflicts of heaven. Ex Dutch Collection.
Accompanied by a certification of authentication metal analysis.
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111. Tibetan Gilt Bronze Seated Image of the Goddess
Tara, Ca. 16th to 17th Century AD. 8-1/2 in (21.2cm)H.
Cp. Von Schroeder, 2001, 260B-C, p. 1041.
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112. Goanese Ivory Figure of Madonna, India, Ca. 18th to
19th Century AD. The Madonna stands on a crescent
moon, indicating her role as queen of heaven. 6-3/4 in
(16.8cm)H. Inscribed 1863 with initials behind. Nice patina.
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113. Chinese Ivory Nude Reclining Doctor’s Lady, China, 19th Century AD. 5-3/4 in L. (14.6 cm)L. The Doctor’s lady was
used by traditional Chinese male physicians to allow a female patient to modestly indicate the location of her discomfort,
without showing or pointing to her own body. Ex Irwin Hersey Collection, NY.
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Howard Nowes Ancient Art
114. Nepalese Wood Plaque depicting a Yakshi with attendants, Ca. 18th
Century AD. The standing female deity reachs up to touch a branch of a
tree to make it flower. 9¾in. (23.5cm) H. This symbolism that goes back to
a period in Indian history when trees were regarded as objects of worship,
and is associated with old fertility festivals, when youths and maidens gathered the flowers of the sal
tree. In Indian mythology, the
yakshi is first and foremost a
fertility symbol.
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TRIBAL ART
115. African Fang Female Reliquary Figure, Gabon, Nzaman-Betsi, Female representations are rare in reliquaries and she evokes beauty and power, standing on
wedge-shaped feet with muscular legs bent, her elongated torso with protruding
navel, she has high conical breasts, thick neck with an old bone fetish necklace
supporting the head which has a delicate heart-shaped facial plane and domed
forehead and wears a backswept coiffure. 14-1/2 in (36.2cm)H. Ex David Young
Collection. Collected before 1965.
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115. - multiple views
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116 - multiple views
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116. Luba Carved Wood Nude Female Figure, from the Democratic Republic of Congo,
She is rendered with fine tribal scarification on body, her hands held to breasts, beautiful
symmetrical facial features and coiffure, she exhibits Tabwa influences. 18-3/4in
(46.8cm)H. Nice nut brown patina. Ex. Belgian Collection.
117. Akan Wood Carved Female Fertility Doll, West Africa, Ghana Region, Well carved
with naturalistic body features and wide round flat head. Akuaba (akua'ba) figures or fertility dolls educate young girls about the lessons of motherhood. An akan figure can bring
fertility to a woman hoping to have a child. It can also help to ensure a safe delivery and
a physically beautiful child. The form of the figure illustrates the ideal of beauty placing
emphasis on the head, the place that evokes the greatest beauty. Good nut brown patina.
27 in (69cm)H. Ex David Young Canadian Collection. Collected around 1965.
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Howard Nowes Ancient Art
118. Yoruba
Wood Carved
Ibeji Figure,
Nigeria. 13in
(33cm)H.
Nice incised
coiffure. Ex
David Young
Collection
Canada.
118 two views
119
119. Mende Bundu Society Helmet Mask, Sierra Leone. 15 in (37.5cm)H. Only the members of the secret Sande women's society in
Sierra Leone’s Mende tribe wore this rare mask. It is both unique and remarkable, for it is the only type of mask exclusively used by
women in the entire African continent. It is meticulously carved with delicate facial features, voluminous folds on the neck, and an
elaborately detailed coiffure. There are vision holes pierced in the eyes, and it has excellent patina and interior surface wear.. The mask
represents the ideal of feminine beauty admired by the Mende; thus, it was believed to be aesthetically pleasing to their spirits.
120 - multiple views
120. Yoruba Wood Divination Bowl, Agere, Ifa, with kneeling nude female caryatid holding bowl, Ivory Coast. 6in (15cm)H. The
Yoruba divination system enabled diviners to invoke Orunmila, the Yoruba deity of wisdom, prophecy and ethics. Ifa divination rites
provide an avenue of communication between the spirit world and that of the living. Ex New England Collection.
Greece & Magna Graecia & Etruia|Ancient Near East| Egypt|Roman & Medieval| Pre Columbian Mexico| Mayan| Central America
Peru & Bolivia| Eskimo & American Indian| Chinese Japanese India & Southeast Asia |African| Oceanic|Books | EMail US
6292. Handsome Egyptian Limestone Sculptor's Model in the form of
the Head of a Pharaoh, Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, 305 to 30 B.C.
Wearing the nemes headdress with frontal uraeus, the facial features
well carved with extended cosmetic lines around the eyes, the grid
lines remaining on the back. Size 4-1/4 in. (10.47cm). Ex Hugh Stanley
Russell Collection, England, acquired ca. 1950s. Fine style. $7500
Click on images for enlarged multiple views!
5447. Pre Columbian Vera Cruz Bust of a Priest, Mexico, Ca. 500 to 900
AD. A buff clay molded powerful and expressive large bust wearing
headbands and necklace, and ear flares. 10-1/2 in. (26.2 cm) H. + custom mount. Ex Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, no. 81-2CKLZ. Ex Sotheby Parke Bernet, February 25, 1981, Lot 189. $5500
Click on images for enlarged multiple views!
6812. Fine Gandhara Schist Bust of a Bodhisattva, Ca. 2nd to 3rd
Century AD. Beautifully carved stone bust of the handsome prince
wearing pleated robes falling open at the chest, meditation cord, ribbed
collar with central foliate motif, beaded earrings, fine facial features and
mustache, his flowing hair with top-knot and jewel-like headband. 101/2 in. H. + custom mount. $8500
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This page is a sample of our virtual gallery Howardnowes.com. Bookmark us and visit us often for a high quality, competitively priced, diverse assortment of Ancient, Egyptian, Classical Antiquities, Pre- Columbian, & Ethnographic Art.
HOWARD NOWES ANCIENT ART will be exhibiting at the
5th Annual Historic Indian & World Tribal Arts Show
Santa Fe, New Mexico August 10th to 13th 2006 At the College of Santa Fe, Shelberger Tennis
Center. Go to http://tribalantiqueshow.com for details and directions.
H OWARD N OWES A NCIENT A RT
FINE ANCIENT & ETHNOGRAPHIC ART
TERMS
OF
Volume VI, No. 1
SALE
All items offered are unique and subject
to prior sale. We apologize for not having available some of those objects that sold during the
production of this exhibition. Prices are in U.S.
dollars. All sales are accompanied by a typed
invoice, signed by Howard Nowes, gallery director, with all the relevant collection and provenance information as well as a photo of the
object(s). We offer an unconditional guarantee of
authenticity. Freight is additional and is the
responsibility of the purchaser. We have 20 years
experience in fine art handling, packing and shipping, so rest assured your valuable objects will
arrive safe and intact. New York residents must
add 8.65% sales tax or submit a resale certificate.
Credit cards may be submitted safely online
through our secure server ORDER FORM. Cash,
personal checks, money orders, and wire transfers are also acceptable forms of payment.
Returns are accepted within 10 days minus
freight costs provided item(s) are in original as
sent condition. Title stays with HNAA until items
are paid in full.
GALLERY SERVICES
Howard Nowes Ancient Art is a leading
New York ancient and ethnographic art gallery.
We are pleased to celebrate our 17th year dealing
in these areas and pride ourselves on superb
conoisseurship, communication and customer
satisfaction. We offer restoration, conservation,
and custom mounting, performed by trained professionals, often on premises. Howard Nowes is a
member of the Appraisers Association of America
and can write appraisal reports for insurance
purposes, fair market evaluations,
estates or charitable IRS contributions.
-23Summer 2006
$8.50
We actively purchase legally held antiquities from all periods. Please send clear photos
with sizes, condition and price. We can sell your
collection(s) in our gallery, online, through direct
mail, or online auction, where the competitive
bidding environment can be surprisingly beneficial.
Please call (917) 339-0620 to make an
appointment to see our ever changing inventory
and the items from this catalog. The accompanying price list illustrates our attractive and competitive pricing. Objects are easily viewable in
full color with multiple views online at
http://www.howardnowes.com
Condition reports and provenance are
available upon request. Sizes are for objects only.
Mounts and bases add additional height and
pieces come with custom mounts when illustrated. The tribal art in this catalog is considered
20th Century unless stated otherwise.
When in New York City please call to
schedule a visit to our gallery. We recommend
that you check the availability of items to avoid
disappointment. Items may be reserved with no
obligation for 24 hours.
Many thanks to Andrea Myers, from
Columbia University, for her assistance in the
production of this catalog.
Howard Nowes Ancient Art is please to
announce the relaunch of our website very soon.
Chris@Databasen.se is a very talented website
designer and is up for the task. We want your
online gallery experience to be as pleasurable as
possible. When you buy from us, you will not
receive any unpleasant surprises.
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