Early Bronze Age, ca. 3000–2000 BCE – Anatolia (Modern-day Turkey)

A rare and evocative marble head fragment belonging to the celebrated Kilia-type “Stargazer” tradition of Early Bronze Age Anatolia. These enigmatic figures are among the earliest known examples of abstract sculptural form, characterized by their simplified anatomy and upward-tilted heads, as if gazing toward the heavens.

The present fragment preserves the distinctive elongated neck and subtly angled head, with minimal facial detailing typical of the type. The refined curvature and reductive modeling exemplify the aesthetic sophistication of early Anatolian artisans, whose work would later influence the development of Cycladic sculpture in the Aegean.

Carved from fine-grained marble, the surface displays scattered mineral deposits and areas of soft weathering, consistent with prolonged burial and age. The fragmentary nature does little to diminish its sculptural presence; rather, it emphasizes the timeless, almost modern quality that has made “Stargazer” figures highly sought after among collectors and institutions alike.

Examples of this type are held in major museum collections worldwide and are regarded as some of the most iconic and desirable forms of early human representation.

Condition: Fragmentary, as shown. Surface wear, mineral deposits, and age-related weathering throughout. No modern restoration observed.

Provenance: Ex Palmyra Heritage, New York; acquired from a New York estate.