Ancient Bronze Face Amulet/ Fitting- Near East, 1000-500 BCE | River Walkers Minerals

Attributed Ancient Near East, c. 1000–500 BCE
Bronze | Approx. 20 mm

An unusual small bronze object formed as a highly stylized human face. The design features two pierced/recessed eyes, a dramatically projecting nose, a small mouth, lock-styled hair, and multiple raised projections around the upper edge. Dark surface patina and areas of reddish-brown earthen encrustation remain across the piece, giving it a wonderfully archaeological appearance.

The piece was acquired from an antiquities dealer who identified it as an Ancient Near Eastern bronze face protective amulet or cultic fitting dating approximately 1000–500 BCE. Its precise culture, archaeological origin, original function, and dating have not been independently established, so these details are presented as the original dealer’s educated attribution.

Small anthropomorphic objects and amulets are known from numerous cultures throughout the ancient Near East, where human and divine imagery appeared on personal ornaments, votive objects, fittings, and other small objects. Without a documented excavation context, however, the specific meaning or intended use of this individual piece cannot be determined with certainty.

Condition: Complete overall form with substantial surface patination, encrustation and age-related wear. Please review all photographs and video carefully for the exact condition.

Provenance: Acquired from a well-known antiquities dealer and accompanied by the dealer’s Certificate of Authenticity. The certificate and its attribution will be included with the piece.

Please note: Archaeological artifacts without documented excavation provenance can be difficult to date or culturally attribute with certainty. River Walkers Minerals is therefore presenting the historical identification supplied by the original antiquities dealer while clearly distinguishing that attribution from independently verified information.