VERY RARE Antiquity Ancient Canaanite Bronze Votive Idol Mask of Ba'al Demon God For Sale

Ancient Canaanite Bronze Votive Idol Mask Fragment: Grotesque / Apotropaic Deity Face (c. 1850–1200 BC)

Authenticity NoticeThis artifact is certified authentic and will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance. All professional inventory is vetted through recognized platforms to ensure legal standing.

DetailsObject: Cast Bronze Votive Mask / Figurine Face Fragment (Apotropaic Deity or Guardian Entity)Culture: Canaanite (Middle to Late Bronze Age II)Date: Circa 1850–1200 BC (19th–13th Century BC / Pre-Israelite Patriarchal Period)Material: Solid Cast Bronze / Copper Alloy (preserving a glossy blackish-green cupreous patina with light mineral encrustations along the jagged edges)Form: Sculpted facial mask fragment depicting expressive almond-shaped eye sockets with deep pupils, a prominent broad nose, and styled lateral hair locks / ears; flat cast unadorned reverseMaterial Features: High-density solid bronze casting with natural age-related fracture boundaries along the perimeterRegion: Southern Levant / Canaan (Holy Land Find)

Iconographic & Typological AnalysisThis ancient bronze fragment reflects the ritual and metallurgical traditions of Middle to Late Bronze Age Canaan:

• Apotropaic / Deity Iconography: The face exhibits distinct stylistic traits of Canaanite cult figures—deeply set almond eyes with raised pupils, a broad nose, and pronounced facial contours. Such stylized, grotesque, or mask-like facial renderings served an apotropaic function, designed to ward off malevolent spirits, illness, or evil influences.

• Canaanite Cult Metalwork: During the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, Canaanite sanctuaries (such as those at Megiddo, Hazor, and Ugarit) featured solid bronze statuettes and votive masks representing deities (such as El, Baal, or protective demon/guardian entities like Humbaba/Resheph variants).

• Votive Mask / Plaque Fragment: The flat, unworked back indicates this specimen was cast as a high-relief votive mask applique or plaque face rather than a fully rounded statuette head. It was likely affixed to a wooden core, shrine wall, or ritual vessel.

Overview and Historical ContextBetween 1850 and 1200 BC, Canaanite city-states were centers of advanced metallurgy and polytheistic religious practices. Local workshops produced cast bronze votive offerings, idols, and protective amulets dedicated at urban temples and high places (bamot). Masks and face plaques with exaggerated features were invoked as guardians or representations of underworld and protective deities. Preserving intense facial detail and a superb cuprite patina, this bronze mask fragment represents Canaanite bronze sculpture prior to the Iron Age.

Authenticity Check

• Solid cast bronze construction displaying natural age fracturing along the original cast walls.

• Deeply oxidized dark black-green patina consistent with long-term anaerobic burial conditions.

• Microscopic soil matrix firmly adhered within the eye depressions and perimeter breaks.

Museum Comparable Examples

• The Israel Museum, Jerusalem: Registration No. IAA 1936-841 (Middle/Late Bronze Age Canaanite bronze figurines and votive masks from Megiddo and Hazor).

• The Louvre Museum, Paris: Accession No. AO 15721 (Canaanite bronze idol heads and apotropaic masks from Ugarit/Ras Shamra).

• The British Museum, London: Accession No. 132962 (Bronze Age Levantine bronze figures and votive plaque fragments).

Academic & Typological References

• Negbi, O. (1976). Canaanite Gods in Metal: An Archaeological Study of Ancient Syro-Palestinian Figurines. Tel Aviv University Institute of Archaeology. (Ref: "Type II: Canaanite Male Deities and Mask Appliques").

• Seeden, H. (1980). The Standing Armed Figurines in the Levant. Prähistorische Bronzefunde. (Ref: "Bronze Age Facial Rendering and Apotropaic Votives").

• Mazar, A. (1990). Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, 10,000–586 B.C.E. Doubleday. (Ref: Chapter 6, "Middle and Late Bronze Age Cult and Metallurgy").

ConditionFine archaeological condition. Intact facial section showing original cast detailing, a glassy dark patina, and natural ancient peripheral fractures.

TRN-1-1