Earliest Horizon, 2300-2000 BC. A substantial carved green stone (nephritis) idol depicting a stylised owl; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Christie's, The Eric Albada Jelgersma Collection Sale, sale 16217, London, 7 December 2018, lots 667-674, for other Valdivia stylised stone owl figures.1.8 kg total, 34.5cm including stand (13 1/2"). Property of a Brussels gallery; acquired from Mythes et Légendes, 10 rue Petit, Paris, 75019; formerly in an important family collection formed before 1968; accompanied by a copy of the original Mythes et Légendes invoice dated 22 February 2012. Found in tombs in Ecuador, these idols are loaded with cosmic symbolism for the Valdivia culture. A video of this lot can be viewed on Timeline Auctions website.