Explain This: Mesopotamian sculpture sells for record 57 million dollars

Angelinity · Dec 6, 2007

...Described by Sotheby's as diminutive in size, but monumental in conception, The Guennol Lioness was created around 5,000 years ago -- around the same time as the first known use of the wheel -- in the region of ancient Mesopotamia...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071206/ts_afp/entertainmentartusantiquityauction

so humanity had supposedly reached the advanced stage where it made sense to roll heavy loads on wheels.

yet clearly humanity was far from being a stranger to the concept of curves at the time... not to mention concept, form, perspective, abstract and, dare we say it: imagination -- quite evolved, at that!

Bmwhtly · Dec 6, 2007

The value's all about age and rarity, not quality.

*Scrolls through other Yahoo news*

hehehe, look "Millionaire gets drunk and goes to sculpture auction"

Angelinity · Dec 6, 2007

five. five.

hehehe, look "Millionaire gets drunk and goes to sculpture auction"

..."Before the sale, a great connoisseur of art commented to us that he always regarded the figure as the 'finest sculpture on earth' and it would appear that the market agreed with him," they said.

Five different bidders, three on the telephone and two in the room, competed for the sculpture. The successful buyer was identified only as an English buyer who wished to remain anonymous....

Bartholomew · Dec 6, 2007

I think its an awesome little statue.

Joe270 · Dec 6, 2007

I'm wondering how the previous owners claim ownership of the piece.

Such a valuable antiquity normally belongs to a country, namely the one in which it is unearthed, not some rich people.

Explain This: Mesopotamian sculpture sells for record 57 million dollars

Angelinity

absent

Bmwhtly

Yes, I'm back.

Angelinity

absent

Bartholomew

Comic guy

Joe270